WORKING CERTIFICATE
TEST RULES & REGULATIONS

for RETRIEVERS, IRISH WATER SPANIELS, POODLES and BARBETS 

(will be in place for the Barbet January 1st 2011) 

3 levels of Working Certificate Titles 

•WC – Working Certificate 
•WCI – Working Certificate Intermediate 
•WCX – Working Certificate Excellent 

TEST REQUIREMENTS

Working Certificate Test 

The Working Certificate test shall be for all eligible breeds 6 months of age or older on the day of the test who have not received confirmation of the title of WC from the CKC on or before the closing date for entries.The tests for WC shall be: 

(a) Back to back singles on land 
(b) Back to back singles in water 

Back to back : the dog must perform two retrieves one after another, one bird shot at a time. 

The requirements of the WC are designed to test a dog’s natural abilities such as marking ability, memory of fall, intelligence, desire, style, perseverance, nose and courage. 

Working Certificate Intermediate Test 

The Working Certificate Intermediate test shall be for all eligible breeds who have earned the title of WC. In the case of a limited entry test, dogs that have obtained their titles will be entered only after dogs working toward their titles have been entered. The tests for the WCI shall be:

(a) Land double 
(b) Honour on the land test 
(c) Water double 

Double: two birds are shot at the same time but the dog must retrieved one after the other. 

Honour on the land: the dog, under control, is sitting beside handler with no leash.

Honour on the land: the dog, under control, is sitting beside handler with no leash. 

The WCI tests are designed to continue to test the dog’s natural abilities and to show that he can be a useful partner on a hunt. 

Working Certificate Excellent Test 

The Working Certificate Excellent test shall be for all eligible breeds as retrievers, Irish water spaniels, poodles and Barbets who have earned the title of WCI. In the case of a limited entry test, dogs that have obtained their titles will be entered only after dogs working towards their titles have been entered. The tests for the WCX shall be:  

(a) Walk-up test with a land double or land/water double  
(b) Honour on the walk-up  
(c) Water double  
(d) Land blind  
(e) Water blind  

Walk-up test: tracking test, smell of bird left on the ground.  

Honour on the walk-up: tracking dog under control by handler does not move before the command.  

Blind: bird hidden; the dog is handled by the voice or hand signal for retrieving.  

The WCX dog should be a steady, reliable worker that would be an asset to have along on a hunt.  
For more details on the Working Certificates visit the CKC web site under  Event Rule Books for the Working Certificate Test Rules and Regulations for Retrievers, Irish Water Spaniels and Poodles.