How Do I Get Started

[RemisGunner]

I am interested in becoming a judge, but I am not sure how to go about it. I am a member of a local retriever club, AKC affiliated, but I would like to know what I need to do to get started. I am also new to the HT game and I am currently training my second BLM, but the first that I run in tests. If you can guide me down the right path I would appreciate it.

[John Gassner]

I think it is a good idea to look in to judging early on. Assuming you have done a good amount of training and have run a few trials/tests, I would next volunteer to marshal a stake. This puts you more in direct contact with the judges and a lot of what is going on around the line.

For HTs the next step would be to attend a judging seminar. You also must apprentice judge, which you can do before the seminar, but I think it's better to read the rules first and attend the seminar next before apprenticing. I think you also must compete with a dog at the level you are going to judge (or higher).

For FTs you just need to take an open book test and judge with a pointed judge. I would advise not attempting either with just the minimum requirements.

I would let the proper people in the local clubs know that you are interested in judging and see what they recommend. Most clubs will not want to spend a lot of money to have a "newbie" judge come from a great distance.

If you have any other questions feel free to PM me.


John

[RemisGunner]

John,

Thanks for the tips. I am just getting started and have 20 week old BLM so I am not running tests yet. I just wanted to know up front what I need to do along the way. I always try to help in other areas at the hunt tests just so I get an idea of all things involved. Again thanks for the info.