Retrieving Ability Tests for Gundogs: Novice, Open and titles

Key facts

Classes

Novice and Open

Rule edition

Effective 1 January 2024

Pass threshold

75% overall and at least 50% in every exercise

Title abbreviations

NRA and ORA

Associate route

Member-body Gundog approval required before first test

What RATG assesses

Dogs Australia introduces RATG as a structured entry into gundog retrieving, with obedience and retrieving components. The control work and retrieves belong together: finding an object is only one part of what the team is asked to demonstrate. The national sport page describes approved dummies as the usual retrieving objects.

Ask a club which training opportunity suits the dog before choosing a test. Keep a record of steadiness, recall, marking and delivery in the setting where they were practised. A successful game with a familiar toy gives you a starting observation, while an instructor can help assess the separate exercises required on a test day.

Novice exercises and available points

The Novice outline includes heelwork over 20–30 metres worth 10 points, a recall worth 15, two single marks of approximately 50 and 70 metres worth 30 and 35, and action/style worth 10. The test totals 100 points and the retrieves may include land and water.

Use that breakdown to organise training questions. If the retrieve is found but the return or delivery needs work, record that separately from marking. If control is difficult before the send, discuss that component with the instructor instead of repeatedly increasing the distance. The exercise list explains the assessment; it does not prescribe the pace at which an individual dog should be trained.

Open exercises build different requirements

Open includes heelwork over 30–50 metres with at least three turns worth 10 points, a stay/recall incorporating a stop worth 20, a roughly 50-metre walk-up retrieve worth 25, and either a double rise around 70 metres or double marks around 50 and 80 metres worth 35. Action/style contributes 10.

For the control exercise, the current rules specify the handler’s movement and recall/stop procedure rather than a fixed one-minute stay. Ask the trainer to explain each element in the order it will be judged. Keep double-rise and double-mark preparation identified separately, and check the actual test arrangements with the organiser.

Passing and earning NRA or ORA

A pass needs at least 75% overall and half the points in every exercise. NRA and ORA each require three relevant passes under at least two judges, including a water pass.

Maintain a title checklist with the test date, class, judge, exercise scores, passing decision and whether it was the required water pass. Keep the original certificate or score sheet. Confirm the award through the member body before adding it as an awarded title; distinguish a title application from its confirmation.

Eligibility and the Associate Gundog route

The rules set a six-month minimum and accept specified registered gundogs, including Associate dogs accepted as gundogs by their member body. Class conditions also depend on existing awards; an NRA holder cannot normally remain in Novice, and higher retrieving awards may affect entry. Check the eligibility clause with the dog’s actual record.

The separate Associate application requires approval before the first RATG. It declares a purebred gundog rather than a crossbreed and requests standing front/profile photographs plus the current Associate certificate. Associate registration by itself therefore does not establish the additional approval. Arrange that process before relying on an entry deadline.

Objects, equipment and preparation for the day

The rules provide for pigeons or approved dummies, without mixing them in a class. Collars and leads are removed for exercises; voice, whistle and hand signals are permitted. Handlers cannot carry food, toys, treats or rewards. Confirm the test’s objects and equipment arrangements with the club before attending.

Prepare a practical list with the venue, closing date, entry confirmation, registration, approvals and existing qualifications. Ask about the briefing, warm-up arrangements, water conditions and where the dog waits between exercises. Follow the steward’s instructions and keep other dogs clear of the working area. Training sessions and assessment days may have different arrangements.

Keep the pathway visible in results

Record RATG as the activity, followed by Novice or Open, event date, judge, dog identity, score and pass status. A Novice RATG result is a different record from a Novice retrieving-trial placing. Preserve those labels even if the same club hosts both activities.

Use the retrieving-trial guide to compare the separate stakes and the field-trial guide for the hunting formats. The retrieve-foundations and first-trial guides provide further preparation questions. Read the national rules index and the dedicated RATG document together when checking a future entry; introductory pages help explain the activity but may retain older exercise descriptions.

Common questions

Sources & further reading

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