What are the Gundog Club Grades?

What is the Gundog Club graded training scheme, how do you pass the Gundog Club grade two test, and where to take your field assessment?

You may have noticed that our gundog training holidays are split into different abilities, with reference to the Gundog Club grades. There’s novice G2-G3, intermediate G3-G4, and advanced G4-G5.

Clients who trained with me in Surrey and those who have been immersed in positive reinforcement / force-free gundog training circles for some time will know all about the Gundog Club and their graded training scheme.

But many of you are new to the world of gundogs, and even more who come to train with me in Mid Wales are new to positive reinforcement training methods and haven’t come across the Gundog Club before.

While you don’t need to have taken any graded field assessments to book onto our gundog training holidays, I know plenty of handlers would benefit greatly from learning more about the Gundog Club grades and who would get tons out of working through the levels with their dog.

You might already have set your gundog training resolutions for 2024 or be looking for some inspiration. In either case, this month’s blog is worth a read if you’ve never considered participating in the Gundog Club’s graded training scheme.

I’ll run through what makes the Gundog Club grades different from working tests, what you need for the beginner grades if you have a retriever or a spaniel, and finally, how you can get involved.

What is the Gundog Club graded training scheme?

The journey of training a young gundog is both exhilarating and challenging. Sometimes, we can rush ahead in an attempt to skip straight to the impressive stuff.

But if you don’t practice the basics enough and don’t take time to build solid foundations, your behaviours will likely crumble and fail as soon as you start adding pressures and distractions.

The Gundog Club Graded Training Scheme was set up to help pet and working gundog owners progress steadily through the different stages of gundog work.

There are three categories for the different gundog breeds - retrievers, hunting retrievers and HPRs - and each of these categories is broken down into five levels.

Each level, or grade as they’re known, is designed to build upon the last, increasing in complexity with longer distances, durations, and higher levels of distraction. This progression prevents the common pitfall of rushing ahead, ensuring you and your dog are fully prepared before advancing.

The scheme is also distinct in its approach in that it's essentially a benchmarking exercise, ensuring that handlers progress at an ideal pace for their dog.

Before moving up to the next grade, there is the option (it’s not compulsory) to enter your dog into a field test assessment.

Unlike working tests, these are not a competition and are the exact same no matter when in the country you live, train or take your test.

They can only be organised and assessed by qualified Gundog Club instructors (I am proud to be one of them) who will watch you and give your dog points based on set criteria, not against other dogs in your class.

The field assessments are not a pass-or-fail situation either. While there are still faults which will earn you a zero, such as running in or not delivering the dummy to hand, the final result - pass, merit or distinction - is calculated from your overall score.

What I love and value the most about the scheme is that it is consistent and ensures that handlers at each level have taught their dogs the same skills. This means that it's also a great way to track your progress. It provides you with some milestones to aim for and allows you to gain recognition for your hard work.

Who is the Gundog Club graded training scheme for?

The field tests are open to everyone. Again, unlike working tests, pedigree papers and Kennel Club registrations are not required, and cross-bred dogs are welcome, too.

The scheme is ideal for anyone who does not like the pressure element of competing or gets performance anxiety at the thought of handling their dog in front of many people.

It is also suitable for those with gun-shy dogs, as in 2018, it was decided that there should be an option to take field tests without the use of shot.

While anyone wanting to work on a shoot will need a dog which is happy with the sound of gunfire, this no-shot option for the Gundog Club grades does open opportunities for handlers who participate in gundog training primarily as a hobby and as a way to provide their dog with chances to use their genetic retrieving and hunting skills.

When can I start following the Gundog Club graded training scheme?

If you have begun a gundog puppy or foundation training course with your local Gundog Club instructor, you’ve probably already started following the Gundog Club graded training scheme, and you will be invited to take your Grade One test at the end of your course.

The Gundog Trust, the charity that runs the Gundog Club, made a commitment in 2018 to become a force-free training organisation that only accredits and promotes force-free trainers and training methods.

These methods are kind, avoid punishment and harsh handling, and focus on providing the dog with positive reinforcement (praise, rewards, play and fun), which means they can be used with dogs of any age. So, if you’ve just picked up your 8-week-old puppy, you can get started on Grade One the moment you bring them home.

That said, you can start following the Gundog Club graded training scheme any time you like. Nothing stops you from getting involved in the field assessments, even if your gundog is well past puppyhood and adolescence.

While the tests and scheme are structured, you don’t have to have passed the previous grades to take a field assessment. In fact, many handlers who haven’t got an accredited Gundog Club instructor near them often choose to start at Grade Two.

Grade One is designed for puppies, and by the time people discover the Gundog Club graded training scheme, they’ll already be well on their way to passing the Grade Two field test.

How do you pass the Gundog Club grade two field test?

As mentioned, the Gundog Club graded training scheme and its field assessments are split into three categories for the different gundog breeds - retrievers, hunting retrievers (aka spaniels) and HPRs.

In recognition of the fact that each breed has its own job and specialised skillset, the Gundog Club Grade Two criteria differ slightly for each. If you want to pass your Grade Two, here is what your dog would need to do…

Retrievers Grade 2 criteria

Walk at heel, off lead for 30 yards.
Sit and stay for 2 minutes while you're 30 yards away.
Recall from 30 yards.
Sit when they hear the stop whistle.
Complete a 30-yard memory retrieve.
Complete a 50-yard mark retrieve in short cover.
Complete a 20-yard left or right retrieve.

Hunting Retriever Grade 2 criteria

Walk at heel, off lead for 20 yards.
Sit and stay for 1 minute while you're 20 yards away.
Recall from 20 yards.
Sit when they hear the stop whistle.
Complete a 20-yard memory retrieve.
Complete a 25-yard mark retrieve in short cover.
Complete a 20-yard left or right retrieve.
Hunt in light cover.

HPR Grade 2 criteria

Walk at heel, off lead for 30 yards.
Sit and stay for 1 minute while you're 30 yards away.
Recall from 30 yards.
Sit when they hear the stop whistle.
Complete a 20-yard memory retrieve.
Complete a 30-yard mark retrieve.
Complete a 20-yard left or right retrieve.
Hunt in light cover.

Where to take your Gundog Club Graded Training Scheme Field Assessment.

If, after reading this, you decide to start working towards your Gundog Club grades or think you might even be ready to take your Grade Two already, then why not come and take your field test while staying with us in Mid Wales?

I’m very proud to be a full assessor for the Gundog Club and have loved seeing so many handlers take and pass their assessments here.

There’s the option to do any level from Grade 1 to Grade 4, and with the dog-friendly on-site accommodation (see Mid Wales Holidays for more information), people often choose to make a weekend of it. For instance, you can arrive on Friday, have a 121 training session with me on Saturday, practice on our grounds, and then take the test on Sunday.

If you have any questions about how this would work and how to book, please get in touch with me via email at info@completelygundogs.co.uk