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hunt test UKC or AKC

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#6 ·
I like them both. With UKC I think that swinging an actual 870 helps the dog mark off the gun better. This is a trait that is a must in a hunting dog. In my opinion the HRC tests are more realistic "hunting tests".

The AKC hunt tests tend to throw more technical marks and blinds. I like these because I can see the concepts that are in the test. They give me a better idea of where my dog is in training.

This is the classic Ford vs. Chevy argument. Everyone has their own favorite and no amount of factual evidence will change their opinion. I started hunt tests with the HRC so that is where my loyalties lie but AKC tests are a lot of fun.
Mark L.
 
#7 ·
They're both good for you and your dog. None are as good as real hunting, but they will help you develop a better hunting dog.

Personally I don't find the exaggerated "swing to the gun" stuff helpful in training a hunting dog and just train the classic "push-pull." I like shooting the primer loads in HRC tests for fun and excietment.

You should also look into NAHRA tests if there's one nearby.

http://www.nahranews.org/

And you should also go to a licensed field trial to see the incredible levels those dogs and trainers achieve in that specialized game.
 
#8 ·
Brad B said:
I can't afford the wardrobe for UKC.
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You must not hunt then.

Both are fun and while I run HRC almost exclusively it's more due to time and cost, and the social aspects present at an HRC test which are totally lacking at an AKC test. At an HRC test we get together and have a cook out while the dogs are being run, the wives get a chance to lounge around and relax, and if there are kids present, they get a chance to run a dog at a junior handler event.

I've run as many as 18 tests a year (36 entries) so time is very limited. As far as degree of difficulty between the two, it's a toss up at Started/Junior and Finished/Master. Master will have one more series and more blinds, but on the other hand Finished could have long marks which are not punctuated by a duck call and loud blank shot in the field. The Finished dog has to mark off the gun and turn with the gun with little to no prompting from the field.

I will say that Senior is much harder than Seasoned though.
 
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#10 ·
justbehindit said:
As far as degree of difficulty between the two, it's a toss up at Started/Junior and Finished/Master. Master will have one more series and more blinds, but on the other hand Finished could have long marks which are not punctuated by a duck call and loud blank shot in the field.
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I have never seen a Finished test with longer marks than a typical MH test. I do like the UKC though because of the social aspect and the fact that you can run 2 tests in a weekend. On the other hand, I think MH tests are a good bit tougher because of more series, more marks, more blinds, and longer marks. Both have their place and I participate in both, just think AKC HTs are considerably more difficult.
 
#12 · (Edited)
I would run what is available to you. If you think about it, most people are more likely to get involved and be active in a club that is near and convenient for them. Even if you preferred a HRC club if it is too inconvenient you may find your self not being as involved as you intended.

I am just getting back in to the games this year. I plan on running both, my home club is HRC, and so far is my preference. I have only run one AKC test. I will say there is a definitely more of a family feeling at the few HRC tests that I have been to.

You can have fun doing either or both.
 
#13 ·
I have seen many a LONG series of finished marks, but they are never nearly as TIGHT as you will see in master. YMMV. We run both. HRC is more fun, AKC is generally more technical (esp SH vs. seasoned) but that, in itself, makes the tests fun, if you know what I mean.
 
#14 ·
I have run both. Seasoned test had less concept and was straight forward. Many familiar faces at the UKC and the AKC test in my area.

More realistic? I don't think so. Just because you are holding a pop gun some people feel that way. The gunners stations are closer and exactly the same as an AKC station. The two UKC events I entered were fun and laid back. AKC is fun and just as laid back.

If, you go there with a laid back attitude. Have fun, laugh alot, don't get red faced at your dog or anyone else and every will always have a good time. Some people just aren't able to have fun, avoid them. I don't think anyone has seen me at an AKC hunt test without a smile on my face or letting out a few laughs....I take it seriously although, I still have a great time no matter where I am or who is around me...Just my two-PG
 
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Discussion starter · #16 · (Edited)
some guys talked about the big difference about seasond and seinor saying seasond is easir but now talk about the difference between senior and master to me not a whole lot except 1 more mark (usually)so why not just go for master a little longer blinds and marks but as far as training not whole difference, i think the gap should be further apart or maybe i just opened a can of worms?
 
#17 ·
AKC is harder. UKC more realistic. But in the name of realism this happens: One UKC test, they had two marks, one 20 yards behind the other and on the same line and the blind was on the same line too (seasoned). The other, a UKC committee member tried to tell the judges that the test was not appropriate for the level. It still got run... In general I like AKC. Usually the judges won't ruin your training.
 
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#18 ·
I run and love them both. They are different and I appreciate the differences. I like running Finished tests and I like running Master tests. The atmosphere is usually very different, but that's OK with me.
I agree with what's been said about Senior usually being significantly more challenging than Seasoned, but I disagree that there isn't much difference between Senior and Master. In my neck of the woods, the Master tests we see are usually very challenging and a significant step in difficulty above the average Senior test (or the average Finished test, for that matter). It may be different in other parts of the country.
 
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#19 ·
Does it really matter? What I mean is that if you are in an area where AKC is availiable then its much more economical to run AKC. I'm in the same boat, I can run over a dozen AKC H/Ts and still sleep in my own bed each nite, the nearest UKC is about 5 hrs away. Lots of travel is not only expensive, but it cuts down on (unless you are rolling in $$$) the number of events you can run.
 
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Kenneth Niles Bora
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