Dallas-Ft. Worth Labrador Retriever Club...
DFWLRC -How to earn a Working Certificate for your Labrador Retriever
The Working Certificate...
When LRC, Inc. was founded in 1931, the members intended the Working Certificate program to parallel The Kennel Club in England’s requirements that a Sporting dog pass a working test before earning its conformation title. The American Kennel Club does not require working aptitude evaluation for Sporting Dogs who earn their conformation titles.
The Working Certificate program provides a way for Labrador owners to experience and develop an appreciation for the natural working abilities of their dogs without the lengthy and expensive commitment the competitive performance events require.
To be eligible for a Working Certificate a Labrador Retriever must be six months of age and demonstrate the following:
- The dog is not gun shy.
- The dog will retrieve a shot bird at 50 yards on land in light cover.
- The dog will retrieve two ducks from swimming water (if available) in immediate succession, to prove willingness to re-enter the water.
- Steadiness is not required, so a dog may be held on the line.
- These requirements may be satisfied by completing a WC test held by a local specialty club; by acquiring an AKC Junior Hunter (or higher) title; by completing land and water back-to-back series in an AKC licensed field trial; or by completing successfully one AKC hunt test provided that the dog shall have met the requirements set forth above. The owner of the dog is responsible for making arrangements with the hunt test/field trial judges and the hosting club BEFORE the test/trial, and for providing a form for their signature to verify the “pass” upon completion of the test.
