ezzy333 wrote:romeo212000 wrote:I don't necessarily disagree with anything you've said and I've acknowledged that there are almost certainly some good dogs in those venues. However, if you can honestly tell me you believe that a format that makes no attempt to judge quality of work in any way is a good venue for proving quality dogs you're not nearly as knowledgeable as I thought you were.
What is your definition of quality work and how is it judged?
Ezzy
I'll break down different pieces of work. Most of this is also taken from the nstra rule book, but I find it to be a good list of expectations.
Find:
The judging of the find should begin when the dog makes game. Not just when it establishes point.
Desirable factors: if a dog does any of these exceptionally well the judge should reflect that in their scoring of the work.
Exceptional style
Exceptional intensity, even through a long flushing attempt
Remains steady regardless of interference or pressure from other dogs
Remains steady on walking birds
Hits point hard
Works scent intelligently
Remains steady throughout the flush
Undesireable factors: if a dog does any of these during the find it should be reflected appropriately in their scoring depending on the severity of the infraction. All these should cause the dog's work to be scored down, but keep in mind some infractions and their severity are worse than others.
Flagging
Lacking intensity
Creeping (should be cut hard as a dog creeping after establishing point is greedy)
Laying down (also should be cut hard)
Re locating on its own (also should be cut hard)
Continuing to road in on the scent after it has a good location on the bird
The retrieve:
Desirable factors:
Marks downed birds well if view is not obstructed and locates the bird quickly
Quick pick up
Blind retrieve
Water retrieve
Snappy return to handler
Direct path to handler
Easy release to handler
Tender mouth
Undesirable factors:
Poor mark if view is unobstructed
Slow pick up
Hard mouth
Indirect return
Unwilling release
Dropping bird on way back to handler
Back: begins when the dog has an opportunity to see the pointing dog
Desirable factors:
Backs immediately upon seeing pointing dog
Exceptional style and intensity
Remains intense until held so pointing dog can complete the retrieve.
Undesirable factors:
Lacks intensity
Lays down
Roads in after seeing dog
Ground coverage:
Desirable factors:
Quick and thorough search for birds
Works the field intelligently with sharp classy movements
Covers entire field with speed and enthusiasm, leaving no patch unchecked
Remains in field during the entire brace
Negative factors:
Pottering with ground scent
Excessive marking
Ground racing or running and not hunting
Spending time out of bounds
Lacking enthusiasm
Obedience:
Desirable factors:
Displays immediate response to handlers commands
Calls off of marked birds or safety birds easily
Turns sharply on command
Undesirable factors:
Ignoring handler
Trying to stay away from handler
Refusal to call off marked birds or safety birds
Delayed response to commands
I'm not saying this is an all inclusive list by any means, but it does take into account multiple aspects of what separates quality work from average or shoddy work and therefore dogs, and should be taken into consideration if a format is to be considered a legitimate proving ground. Bdc and like formats simply do not and that cannot be argued.