NEFRA Working Retriever – Intermediate Certificate

Guidelines

All entrants will have passed the NEFRA Novice Working Retriever tests and have received
a certificate*

The qualification of Intermediate Working Retriever will be awarded to a dog who has qualified in three set tests.  Each of the first two tests will gain the dog a rosette and the third will gain the dog a certificate stating the qualification.

*There is provision for a dog to be awarded the qualification of Intermediate Working Retriever without having first gained the Novice Certificate – but this dog must have gained four intermediate test awards.

The dog must show good marking, retrieving and delivery of the dummy:

  • from or over water
  • from the other side of obstacles
  • willingly search an area for unseen retrieves

When at a distance the dog should stop on the whistle, ignore distractions, and follow
the command given.

There will be four test situations. These will include:

  • One land blind
  • One water blind (that may be run as a double blind on land & water)
  • One double** land mark (the handler can nominate the first retrieve)
  • One double** water mark (the handler can nominate the first retrieve)

There will be at least one diversion shot and one diversion dummy.
At least one of the retrieves will be a walk-up where one dog will ‘honour’ the working dog.

**A double mark is where two retrieves are presented to the dog before it is sent for any retrieve.

Dogs will be steady on the line. A controlled break or creeping will be penalised.
A dog must retrieve to hand as in the novice test.
Dogs may be handled on marks but excessive handling will get a lower score. Excessive handling will be decided by the judges, but the handler will be told.
Dogs who switch dummies will be eliminated.

The following will prevent a pass and although the dog is “not ready”. This will not prevent it trying again at a later date, indeed with further training this should be the aim of the handler.

  • Failing to hunt an area
  • Not entering cover
  • Being unsteady and, in the eyes of the judges, “out of control”
  • Will not swim or enter water
  • Refusal to retrieve
  • Fear of a gun or gunshot
  • Aggression whether towards people or other dogs
  • Noise whether on the part of the dog or handler

The judges will explain any reasons for failure and try to give help, if required, to eliminate the fault.