I. General provisions:

1.             The purpose of the FWT is the selection of the prime breeding stock in terms of hunting abilities. It examines at a high level the presence of hunting abilities characteristic to the breed and that of the training and discipline necessary to the manifestation of these abilities.

2.             The completion of the field and water test is the requisite to obtaining the F. C. I. international working certificate.

3.             Any shorthaired or wirehaired Hungarian Vizsla that meets the requirements of the breeding regulations in force may be entered to the FWT. Also, any dog belonging to F. C. I. breed group 7, where the organisation responsible for the breeding recognises this test.

II. Detailed description of the tasks

A.                Field work

Hunting in the field

Hunting time: 15 minutes

The handler should work as discreetly as possible, with as few commands and as little guidance as possible. Vizslas working autonomously, to few commands should be appreciated more.
 

1. Evaluation of the nose (scenting ability and its use): (6)

The scenting ability of the dog is to be evaluated during the ‘hunting in the field’ and ‘searching for shot game using air scent’ tasks.

Judging should take into account: the distance the dog perceives the game and the tracks from, the carriage of head during running. The distance from which the dog points the game does not have to be taken into account here. The clearest signs of a good nose (scenting ability) are: longer distance where the dog perceives the game from and self-confidence in indicating and pointing the game.
A good usage of scenting ability is expressed in the dog’s usage of the wind, in choosing the style of seeking and the turns according to the circumstances. In the case of a good usage of scenting ability the vizsla always holds its nose against the wind and adapts its speed to the scenting possibilities and the given terrain. The vizsla that holds its head horizontally during seeking has always a better nose than the one that is constantly scenting the ground. 

Faults: approaching the game by good wind; omission of game; staunch pointing on the track, trail, resting-place, etc.

Evaluation:

The judges should give 3 marks as follows:
                in the task ‘hunting in the field’:  - one mark for scenting ability and one mark for the usage of the scenting ability;
                in the task ‘searching for shot game with air-scent’: one mark for scenting ability
The average of the three marks gives the final mark for nose quality (scenting ability and its use).
 

2.       Quartering style (5)

The total duration of quartering should be minimum 15 minutes for each dog.

Quartering should be active, intelligent, systematic and adapted to weather and terrain conditions. The dog should work autonomously, most of the time with the persevering, even-paced, ground covering gallop – but at least a trot - characteristic to the breed, with a high head carriage, showing constant scenting and a passion for hunting. Faster hunting is preferable as long as the tempo is in harmony with the conditions and speediness is not achieved at the expense of efficiency (finding the game). Movement should be characteristic of the breed.

The direction of quartering (the swings) is determined by the direction of the wind. The style should show that the dog perceives the direction and strength of the wind, the scenting possibilities and takes these into account.

The breadth of quartering (the distance of the lateral swings) is determined by the conditions of the terrain and the wind. Broader quartering is better, but the dog should be able to keep contact with its handler at all times. In the case of suitable conditions a breadth of about 80-100 paces (yards) may be expected in order to obtain a “4” mark. The minimum requirement is a quartering breadth of 50-60 paces (yards).

At turns the dog must always take into account the direction of the wind. Forward advancement is determined by weather and terrain conditions (scenting possibilities), but it should not be more than 30-40 paces (yards). The dog should search the assigned area through and take every opportunity to find game. It should indicate the tracks and resting places in the area, but this should not result in fragmented, halting quartering. Game should not be omitted, but in evaluating occurring omissions the judges should take into account the circumstances and possibilities.

Faults: Unsystematic, non-autonomous quartering; quartering without passion. Quartering only into the wind (forward). Sticking, drawing to the handler; slow movement. Quartering without scenting.
 

3.  Indicating the game, approaching, stalking (5)

During quartering the dog must indicate the perceived game unambiguously and with confidence. After the indication depending on the situation and the behaviour of the game the dog either points immediately or cautiously approaches (in Hungarian: ráhúz) the game with slowing movement and afterwards points staunchly.

After pointing, if the game runs in front of the dog the dog must stalk (relocate) it in a way that allows the handler to follow the dog. During stalking the dog should always work in front of the handler, if possible, independently, staying in contact with the game.

The handler may not overtake the dog, search for the game or move between the dog and the game, except when the judge orders the rousing of the squatting game. Discreet encouragement to stalking or hushing the dog is acceptable.

Faults: stalking non-autonomously, only on the command of the handler; inefficient stalking; rousing the game without command; refusal to stalk.
 

4. Pointing (5)

During quartering the dog must point the found game steadily and calmly. Pointing should be staunch and expressive. Fresh resting place or track may only be pointed shortly (max. 3-4 sec.), afterwards the dog must correct itself.

In the case of repeated omission of game or failure to point the vizsla obtains a “0” mark.

Faults: short or not confident pointing, flushing the game too early, empty pointing. If pointing on command, refusing the game (the dog does not point the game, turns away and leaves the found game).
 

5. Reaction to flushing and shooting (3)

The dog must behave calmly and stay when the game flushes and after shooting. Maximum mark may only be awarded if the dog stays on the first command of the handler. It is acceptable if the vizsla does not remain steady but the handler stops it after 6-8 steps. Dogs not steady or sensitive to shot should be disqualified.

6. Control, obedience in the field (3)

This task should be evaluated on the basis of the whole duration of the work in the field. The dog should react to hand or voiced (spoken or whistled) signals and execute the commands of the handler.

Control is the condition of the co-operation between the vizsla and its handler. It is included in the mark given for obedience. Control expresses the controllability of the vizsla, its constant contact with the handler.

7. Stamina and speed during hunting (4)

In the whole duration of hunting the vizsla should work at a consistent tempo, with constant interest and passion. The speed of the vizsla depends on the vegetation, the direction of the wind, the weather and the density of game. In vegetation that allows free movement animated hunting is desirable.
 

Retrieves:

8. Searching for shot game using air scent, retrieving without command (4)

Time limit: 10 minutes

One feather and one fur game are placed in accordance with the general provisions.

Without the retrieve command, the handler sends his dog searching in the direction of the game. The vizsla should work independently, if possible, without guidance. (If the dog significantly leaves the imaginary quartering ground the handler can redirect it – this should not mean a disadvantage during evaluation.)

After the vizsla has perceived the game, no command may be given until the retrieve of the game. If the handler gives a command between the perception and the picking up of the game, the dog may only be awarded a “2” mark. The dog has to retrieve the first-found game; afterwards the handler can send it with a command to the second search. If the dog, after having found it, does not pick up the game it should be awarded a final “0” mark, already at the retrieve of the first game.

If the dog finds only one game within the time limit, it should be awarded half of the mark it would have received otherwise.

Maximum mark should be awarded when the work is fast (according to the circumstances), passionate, purposeful and independent, with systematic searching.

During this task the nose quality (scenting ability and its use) should also be evaluated in accordance with the instructions in point 1.

9. Retrieving and presenting feather game (3)

Correct retrieve and presentation is required, but for presentation a command may be given.

It should be evaluated both in tasks 8 and 11, and the average of the two marks gives the final mark.

10. Retrieving shot fur game (3)

Correct retrieve and presentation is required, but for presentation a command may be given.

It should be evaluated both in tasks 8 and 11, and the average of the two marks gives the final mark.

11. Working out feather trail (4)

The drag should be trailed for 150 paces (yards) with one break in the trail. Evaluation: according to the instructions of the general provisions.

12. Working out fur trail (4)

Time: 10 minutes

The drag should be trailed 200 paces (yards) long, in a snake-like shape with two blunt bends. Evaluation: according to the instructions of the general provisions.

B.                 WATER WORK

13. Hunting in reed with searching for shot game (5)

Time: 5 minutes

Dogs should hunt in reeds of suitable breadth and depth. A fresh shot duck is thrown into the reeds approximately as far from the starting point that the dog should reach it in about 3-4 minutes. (Attention should be paid that the duck does not get caught up on the reed.) On the handler’s command, the dog should work through the reeds willingly, in appropriate breadth and depth. Stimulation and quiet guidance of the dog are not to be considered as faults. If the dog comes out of the reeds, on the handler’s command it has to return.

If the time of hunting altogether if less than 4 minutes, hunting should continue after the presentation of the game. If the game is not found in 5 minutes, but the dog is working with appropriate intensity, working time may be extended by 3 minutes, and a new duck may be thrown in if the judges find it necessary. (In this case the game should be thrown in while the dog is working in the reeds and cannot see the throw.)

If the game is not found “0” mark should be awarded. Correct presentation is required, but for presentation a command may be given. A separate stretch of reeds should be provided for each dog.

14. Searching for shot duck in deep-water (5)

Time allowed: 10 minutes

The essence of the task is that the dog should find the previously shot duck through open water at the edge of reeds standing in water. The dog should not see the game being thrown in.

The wild duck is thrown near the reeds on the opposite side of the water while a shot is fired, in a way that the dog has to swim at least 30 metres and may scent the game from open water if possible. The game should be fresh, not soaked through. It is important that the dog should not be able to see the game from the bank, so that it has to search hard using air scent.

The handler may direct the dog if necessary, but searching should be autonomous and purposeful. If the dog gives up the search and the handler can only send it to further work with a throw, the awarded mark may not be better than a “2”. “0” mark should be awarded if the dog fails to find and retrieve the game.

When the dog has noticed the game and is approaching it, a shot should be fired near the game on the water. If the dog does not continue working but swims out or shows any sign of fear, it should be disqualified from the test.

15. Retrieve and presentation of shot water game (3)

The retrieve and the presentation should be evaluated, but for presentation a command may be given. If the dog drops the game at the edge of the water and does not carry it further, the awarded mark may not be better than a “1”.

Tasks 13 and 14 should both be evaluated and the average of the marks gives the final mark, but no mark should be “0”.

16. Taking to water, keenness to work in water (2)

The following aspects should be taken into account: how the vizsla goes into the water, how it swims, whether it likes water, if it works passionately with perseverance. If the dog enters the water only after its handler had thrown something in, it should not be awarded a mark better than “1”.

III. Evaluation:

Prize classification:

I.                     = 193-268 points

II.                   = 131-192 points

III.                 = 100-130 points

and obtaining the minimum marks defined in the table.

The evaluation of the test is carried out according to the following scoring sheet: