Hunting Performance Test
The BHCA hunting performance test, also called a hunt test, is a non-competitive field event. The hunt test was created in 2000. In this event, owners/handlers let their dog off leash to search, find, and circle a rabbit (or hare). No animals are harmed in the event.
Dogs can be run solo, as a brace of two dogs, or as a pack of four dogs. It is the handler's job to fill the stake. A stake is an entry in the hunt test. A pack is one stake, a brace is one stake, and a solo is one stake. A typical hunt test has 15 stakes. Each stake is given 30 minutes.
A stake is judged by two judges, except pack which typically has three judges. Once judges have "seen enough" they tell the handler who may at that time end their stake. If a judge says this to you, your dog has passed or "qualified" in that stake.
A dog needs three passes or "Qs" in each stake to earn a title.
Titles in HPT
Hunting Hound (HH), Senior Hunting Hound (SHH), and Master Hunting Hound (MHH). If a dog has points in conformation, they earn the Master Hunting Excellent (MHE) title.
Each title is recognized once a dog has completed 3 stakes in one format. They can run any format at any time, but will not be given a title until they have qualified 3 times in one format (solo, brace, or pack).
Judging
Unlike in a field trial, in the hunt test there is a simulation of a gun shot (no projectile, just the sound). A dog should not respond to the sound of the "gun" and continue hunting. The dog may recognize the shot happened and pause, but should get back to hunting. This evaluation is a simple pass/fail. If a dog never encounters a rabbit or has an opportunity to run a rabbit, the gunshot sound simulation should not occur and the dog fails. A dog must pass the gunshy test to qualify.
There is currently a 10 point scale for judging other criteria. The categories of evaluation in the hunt test are...
- Searching or ability to find a rabbit.
- Use of voice - a dog should give voice when on a line and stop barking when not on a line. Other dogs, if in a brace or pack, should honor a dog that is truly on a line.
- Line ability.
- Adaptability.
- Determination.