This is a short video of Kimmax Ayscha (the first ever UK bred VDD registered Deutsch Drahthaar) in training for her HZP at the International Hegewald 2009. Ayscha is 15 months old in this video, about 4 weeks before the Hegewald.

Get the latest Flash Player to see this player.

The ‘Federwild Schleppe’ or feathered game drag, is a one of the critical tests in an HZP. No commands are permitted to help the dog after it is cast off and you have 10-20m to get the dog started on the drag. You may only restart the dog 3 times before it fails the test.

The dog is expected to show its tracking ability and keeness by its pace and accuracy following a 200m drag with two acute angles in it. Once the dog encounters the bird placed at the end of the drag it must immediately pick it up and return to the handler with it without any commands from the handler. It is important the handler does not command or whistle once the bird is in the dog’s mouth as that would constitute a failure.

The final part of the test is when the dog comes into the handler. Now carriage and presentation of game are paramount. Again the handler may not speak until the dog has sat and the judge has allowed the handler to command the dog to release the bird. If the dog puts down the bird at any stage, as long as it is only to improve its grip and does not require commands from the handler, then that can be overlooked. If the dog leaves the retrieve or the handler has to command it then it will be heavily penalised or fail the test.

Training for this test assumes you have first taught the dog to hold and present game correctly. Then you start with relatively short retrieves always in a straight line. Gradually as the dog gains in confidence, gentle and then acute angles are introduced to teach the dog to realise when it has come off the track and to learn to backtrack and relocate the scent. Gradually distance is increased until the dog does the required distance and angles right every time.

As a handler, this is a nerve racking test as there is absolutely nothing you can do to help tour dog once you have released it. Distractions, other scents on the ground and the weather can all change the parameters of this test for your dog. It is all about instincts, preparation and training – not handling on the day.

Once a dog has learnt this, it will never have any problem finding a wounded runner in the field and will require minimal handling to get the job done, leaving the hunter free to concentrate on shooting.