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Competitions

Providing Scentwork and Gundog competitions in the South West. See below what we offer.

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Scentwork Competitions

Scent Ops Competitions are now Available! 

Operational Style Scentwork Trials | Scent Ops

6 Levels to work through

CLUB-Simple search to demonstrate odour recognition and confidence searching an indoor area. One hide, dogs can get to source. 3 minutes.

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BRONZE-Simple search which can be either an indoor or outdoor area. Two hides, dog can get to source. 5 minutes.

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SILVER-Two hides, set to encourage clearing of the area, which should be 'real life' and offer a fair challenge. 5 minutes.

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GOLD- Three hides, one of which will present a significant challenge through hide placement or search area complexity. Hides can be inaccessible and vary in strength. 8 minutes.

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PLATINUM-Complex area, up to four hides, not known to handler. Blank soaks and other distraction odours can be in the area. 10 minutes.

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TITANIUM-Challenging search area, number of hides appropriate for the area, which must be cleared. Area may contain multiple distractions and odour amounts will vary. Search time to be determined by judge.

Rules : https://www.scentops.co.uk/rules

NHU Gundog Scurry Competitions

Foundation Level

Component 1 - Simple timed retrieve with one obstacle- This is all about speed.

Component 2 – Obedience  

  • Heelwork: 10 steps away and back again with dog at heel and not pulling the handler in anyway. Lead should be loose and no tension.

  • Steadiness: Stay on placeboard* while handler walks away 20 steps and back again while the dog remains in a sit.

  • Steadiness: Stay on placeboard* while retrieve is thrown, dog should remain in a sit.

  • Retrieve send out: Looking for a clean send out, dog is in a sit position, released by the handler’s cue, goes straight out with no distraction.

  • Retrieve delivery: Picks up retrieve item, returns to the handler and presents the retrieve either sat or standing with a delivery to hand.

Component 3 – Complex retrieves

  • Marked retrieve: Dog should remain in a sit or stand, mark the retrieve, only released by the handler’s cue, goes straight out with no distraction, picks up retrieve item, returns to the handler and presents the retrieve either sat or standing with a delivery to hand.

  • Memory retrieve: Handler with dog at heel walks up to judge with retrieve item. Retrieve is thrown for dog to mark. The handler then walks the dog back to the placeboard* area in heel, asks for a sit, the dog is only released by the handler’s cue, goes straight out with no distraction, picks up retrieve item, returns to the handler and presents the retrieve either sat or standing with a delivery to hand.

*the use of a placeboard is optional.

 

Novice Level

Component 1 - Simple timed retrieve with one or more obstacle- fastest dog wins

Component 2 – Obedience  

  • Stop: Send dog off hunting or in a straight line, when the dog is at least 2m away from you ask for a stop. The dog should stop moving completely and for the higher marks stop in a sit position.

  • Steadiness: Stay while retrieves are thrown to the left, right and overhead, the dog should remain in a sit.

  • Retrieve send out: Dog is sent out to the first retrieve thrown in the steadiness sequence. Looking for a clean send out, dog is in a sit position, released by the handler’s cue, goes straight out with no distraction, picks up correct retrieve.

  • Retrieve delivery: dog returns to the handler and presents the retrieve either sat or standing with a delivery to hand.

  • Heelwork with steadiness: Handler and dog then walk in heel around the two remaining retrieve items.

Component 3 – Complex retrieves

  • Directional retrieve: Dog should remain in a sit or stand, mark the retrieves thrown both left and right, only released by the handler’s cue, directed to the first retrieve thrown in the sequence, dog goes straight out with no distraction, picks up retrieve item, returns to the handler and presents the retrieve either sat or standing with a delivery to hand. The dog is then sent back out for the second retrieve.

  • Memory retrieve: Handler with dog at heel walks up to judge with retrieve item. Retrieve is thrown behind a barrier for dog to mark. The handler then walks the dog back to the placeboard* area in heel, asks for a sit, the dog is only released by the handler’s cue, goes straight out with no distraction, hunting whistle can be used, picks up retrieve item, returns to the handler and presents the retrieve either sat or standing with a delivery to hand.

 

Intermediate Level -Coming soon….

NHU Gundog Scurry Rules

  1. The NHU scurries are open to all dog breeds and crossbreeds

  2. Prizes will be awarded on the day

  3. Only one prize place per dog and handler, per scurry

  4. A dog may not win more than one prize per individual scurry, per day, even with a different handler

  5. The junior competition is open to those 16 and under (if available on the day)

  6. To enter the beginner competition, the handler and dog must not have been placed in a scurry event previously

  7. A scurry is a timed event. Over the line starts the clock and each return over the line stops the clock

  8. A dog must not be sent until you are told by the timekeeper/official that you can

  9. Dogs maybe kept on leads or held

  10. If a dog ‘runs in’, then the run/entry is void

  11. Some scurries may include a distraction or a specified order of retrieving. In such circumstances, if the distraction or a retrieve is picked out of sequence then the run/entry is void

  12. Highest score wins and in the case of a draw the fastest dog wins to break the tie.

  13. No harsh handling of dogs permitted, mistreatment will not be tolerated

  14. No limit on entries – however should the organisers feel that excessive competing of a dog may be injurious to that dog’s wellbeing an entry will be declined

  15. Anyone knowing of their dogs being in contact with infectious diseases must not attend the scurry

  16. Bitches in season will not be allowed to participate in the competition

  17. Any dishonest or discreditable conduct will result in disqualification

  18. The organiser’s decision in relation to any matters arising is final

  19. Retrieve items could be canvases dummy’s up to a 1lb in weight (however will substitute for smaller dog breeds), rabbit balls or tennis balls.

  20. No shot is used

  21. A score of 80% achieves the completion badge of that level. 

  22. If you win at a level and/or score above 80% you qualify for the championships.

  23. Young/youth handler is 18 years and younger.

Scurry Championships Results

2023 - Ellis & Jet Foundation champions

2023- Sue & Tyne Foundation Reserve

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