National Master Background

We, a group of hunt test enthusiast, are pleased to announce that a Canadian Master National Hunt Test will be held in September of this year. We have been working for quite some time to establish this event and believe the time is right for such a test.

Hunt tests were first established in Canada nearly ten years ago in order to promote the natural abilities of retrievers. Dogs and handlers are tested against a standard, not against each other. It has become clear, however, that an additional challenge was necessary for those people who have achieved their Master Hunter or Grand Master Hunter. Like the AKC, we are aiming to offer an opportunity for those people to compete in a national event which will bring together the best hunting dogs in Canada.

The Master National Hunt Test will initially have no affiliation with the CKC, although this may change in the future. Testing will be closely based on current CKC Master rules but every effort will be made to utilize very realistic hunting scenarios and equipment on both land and water and in the upland test. For the first year only (2005) any CKC Master Hunter, AKC Master Hunter, UKC Hunting Retriever Champion and NAHRA Master Hunting Retriever is qualified to enter. Qualifications for future Master Nationals will be based on achievements within the CKC program only.

The first Canadian Master National Hunt Test was held September 6, 7, 8 and 9th, 2005 at Luther Marsh, Grand Valley, Ontario. Grand Valley is located north of Toronto, west of Orangeville and east of Arthur. The Horseshoe Hunting Retriever Club hosted this event. The three judges were Ray Bester from Ontario, Ross Peden from the west and Clifford Romain from the US.

The second Canadian National Master Hunt Test will be held August 30 to September 4, 2006 at Hullett Marsh, Clinton, Ontario. Clinton is approximately 3 hours west of Toronto near the shores of Lake Huron. Judges will be Susan Taylor from the west, Walter Vessey from the east and Peter Wyckoff from Ontario. The host club this year is the South Western Ontario Retriever Training Club.

The entry fee is $200.00 and the entry is limited to 75 dogs. Information on the Canadian Master National Hunt Test rules, the By-Laws and Constitution and a biography on the judges can be found on this website.