Hunting Tests evaluate a dog's hunting abilities on different elements of pointing, retrieving or flushing. The dog's ability to perform is judged against a standard of perfection established by the AKC Regulations; theoretically, every dog can be a winner!

 Dogs receiving Qualifying Scores at a number of tests achieve titles of Junior Hunter (J.H.), Senior Hunter (S.H.) and Master Hunter (M.H.); each successive title requires more skill. If you have a good hunting dog, you probably would be able to earn a Junior Hunter title with only a moderate amount of work. Your success in Hunting Tests should lead you further into the sport.

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   Qualifying Scores
   The total number of Qualifying scores required for the issuance of the titles Junior Hunter, Senior Hunter and
   Master Hunter shall be established by the Board of Directors of The American Kennel Club.

   The 4 categories of ability in Junior Hunting Tests and 6 categories of ability in Senior and Master Hunting Tests
   must be graded on a scale of 0-10.

   At present, in order to receive a Qualifying score in Junior, Senior and Master Hunting Tests, a dog must acquire
   a minimum score of not less than 5 on each of the categories of abilities (4 categories in Junior, 6 categories in
   Senior and Master) listed on the Score Card, with an overall average score of not less than 7.

   Junior Hunter Title (JH)
   A Junior hunting dog must show a keen desire to hunt, be bold and independent, have a fast, yet attractive, manner
   of hunting, and demonstrate not only intelligence in seeking objectives, but also the ability to find game. A Junior
   hunting dog must establish point, but no additional credit shall be given for steadiness to wing and shot. If the handler
   is within reasonable gun range of a bird which has been flushed after a point, a blank cartridge must be fired by the
   handler. Junior hunting dogs must hold point until the handler gets within normal gunshot range. Junior hunting dogs
   must also show reasonable obedience to their handler's commands.

   In order to be recorded as a Junior Hunter, a dog must be registered in the AKC Stud Book, and must have a
   record of having acquired Qualifying scores in the Junior Hunting Test in four (4) AKC-licensed or -member
   club Hunting Tests.

   Upon completion of these requirements, an AKC Junior Hunter (JH) certificate will be issued to the owner, and
   the dog shall be identified as a Junior Hunter in all official AKC records by the suffix title JH.

   A dog that has been recorded as a Junior Hunter may continue to enter the Junior Hunting Test, but no further
   Junior Hunter certificates will be issued.

   Senior Hunter Title (SH)
   A Senior hunting dog must show all of the attributes of a Junior hunting dog. In addition, the dog must be steady to
   wing and must remain in position until the shot or they are released. A Senior hunting dog must retrieve. Whenever
   it encounters its bracemate on point, it must honor. A dog that steals its bracemate's point cannot receive a
   Qualifying score.

   In order to be recorded as a Senior Hunter, a dog must be registered in the AKC Stud Book, and must have a
   record of having acquired Qualifying scores in the Senior Hunting Test at five (5) AKC-licensed or -member
   club Hunting Tests, or, in the case of a dog that has been recorded by AKC as a Junior Hunter, that dog will be
   recorded as a Senior Hunter after having acquired Qualifying scores in the Senior Hunting Test at four (4)
   AKC-licensed or -member club Hunting Tests.

   Upon completion of these requirements, an AKC Senior Hunter (SH) certificate will be issued to the owner, and
   the dog shall be identified as a Senior Hunter in all official AKC records by the suffix title SH, which title shall
   supersede the Junior Hunter title when the Junior Hunter title has been previously earned. A dog that has been
   recorded as a Senior Hunter may continue to enter the Senior Hunting Test, but no further Senior Hunter
   certificates will be issued.

   Dogs that have acquired a Qualifying score in a Senior Hunting Test at an AKC-licensed or -member Hunting
   Test are ineligible to enter Junior Hunting Tests.

   Master Hunter Title (MH)
   A Master hunting dog must give a finished performance and demonstrate clearly that it deserves to be qualified as
   such. This is the complete hunting companion that any hunter would be proud to own. It must be under its handler's
   control at all times, and handle kindly, with an absolute minimum of noise and hacking by the handler. A Master
   hunting dog must show a keen desire to hunt, must have a bold and attractive manner of running, and must
   demonstrate not only intelligence in seeking objectives, but also the ability to find game. The dog must hunt for its
   handler at all times at a range suitable for a handler on foot, and should show or check in front of its handler
   frequently. It must cover adequate ground but never range out-of-sight for a length of time that would detract from
   its usefulness as a practical hunting companion. The dog must locate game, must point staunchly, and must be
   steady to wing and shot on all birds and if it breaks, it cannot receive a Qualifying score. Intelligent use of the wind
   and terrain in locating game, accurate nose, and intensity on point are essential. Whenever it encounters its
   bracemate on point, it must honor. A dog that steals its bracemate's point cannot receive a Qualifying score.

   A Master hunting dog must positively demonstrate its steadiness to wing and shot. The handler shall not command
   or signal the dog to retrieve until positive steadiness has been demonstrated. The dog must retrieve promptly,
   tenderly and absolutely to hand.

   In order to be recorded as a Master Hunter, a dog must be registered in the AKC Stud Book and must have a
   record of having acquired Qualifying scores in the Master Hunting Test at six (6) AKC-licensed or -member
   club Hunting Tests, or, in the case of a dog that has been recorded by AKC as a Senior Hunter, that dog will be
   recorded as a Master Hunter after having acquired Qualifying scores in the Master Hunting Test at five (5)
   AKC-licensed or -member club Hunting Tests.

   Upon completion of these requirements, an AKC Master Hunter (MH) certificate will be issued to the owner
   and the dog will be identified as a Master Hunter in all official AKC records by the suffix title MH, which title
   shall supersede any AKC Hunting Test title that may have been previously earned.

   A dog that has been recorded as a Master Hunter may continue to enter the Master Hunting Test but no further
   Master Hunter certificates will be issued.

   Dogs that have acquired a Qualifying score in a Master Hunting Test at an AKC-licensed or -member club
   Hunting Test are ineligible to enter Junior and Senior Hunting Tests.

   A dog is not required to earn any title as a prerequisite for earning a higher title.

 AKC Rules & Regs.

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