AKC Retriever Hunting Tests are designed to give the dog owner a good, basic hunting dog and provide a place to run and compete. The dog is not competing against other dogs, but against a standard established by the AKC as a means of judging good hunting retrievers and is modified periodically as needed.
AKC Junior Hunt Test
Test consists of two single marked retrieves on land and two single marked retrieves on water. No Blinds and the dog need not be steady, but may be held. This is generally the beginning level for most people.
AKC Senior Hunt Test
Test consists of a minimum of four situations including one double land mark, one double water mark, a land blind, and a water blind. One of these situations will include a walk-up. Diversion shots and honoring are required and may include trailing, quartering, and flushing. Blinds should not be run between marks.
AKC Master Hunt Test
Test consists of a minimum of three series including multiple marks on land and water. At least one of the situations will include a diversion bird and one of the situations will include a walk-up. Water and land blinds will be encountered with one being a double blind. Diversion shots and honoring is required. The test may include quartering, flushing, and trailing.
All test levels should be designed to simulate, as nearly as possible, true hunting situations and natural hazards, obstacles, and numerous decoys. Hunting equipment and implements should be used to help with this effort. While at the same time the judges must keep in mind that in a hunting “test,” we are testing dogs, not “hunting”. This is quite important as everything that happens while hunting does not necessarily make for a good Hunting Test.