Hunting test in Gemany - HZP

The most important test to get the German breeding licence on a dog is the autumn test (HZP)

I will explain what is expected in this test.

Part 1.

First we start with the easy part: searching, Pointing and steadiness to shot, (this part is the same as the VJP) but the dog now has to work well and has to show a good use of the nose.

Part 2.

The dog has to work a track which is about 300 metres, at the end of this there is a rabbit; the dog has to retrieve the rabbit, straight and fast back to the handler.

The next track there is a pheasant or a duck, this is about 150 metres, and again the dog has to work persistently and fast on the track retrieving the  bird back to the handler.

Part 3. - Water Work.

1^st is a seen retrieve, handler must send the dog with one command into the water, when the dog is near the duck a shot is fired, the dog must continue to work without any commands from the handler and retrieve the duck.

2^nd is a blind retrieve, a duck is hidden somewhere near in reeds in the water, the dog is sent into the water and has to use his nose to find the duck, it is not allowed for the handler to give any other commands to the dog, the dog has to find the duck and retrieve the duck to the handler.

3^rd is more difficult, a prepared duck (the duck can not fly only swim) is put into the water and allowed to swim to make a track, the dog has to go into the water and follow the track, when the dog finds the duck he has to drive the duck to open water for the hunter to shoot, no commands are allowed to be given to the dog and the dog must then retrieve the duck straight back to the handler, sometimes the duck is still alive after it has been shot, very good dogs will not be afraid to retrieve the living duck. When a dog does not find the duck , but show a persistent way of searching he will also complete the test, but of course not gain such high marks.

Without this work (the work behind the living duck) you can get no breedinglicense in germany!