FCRSA Field - WCX Test

The Working Certificate Excellent Test

(WCX)

Purpose:

In 1980, the Working Certificate Excellent test (WCX) was established by the FCRSA to encourage the further use and development, through training, of the natural working and retrieving abilities of the Flat-Coated Retriever, and as a useful aid in the selection of breeding stock.

The WCX test is designed to test the Flat-Coat’s trainability in addition to natural abilities including memory, intelligence, attention, nose, marking ability, courage, perseverance, and style.

Description of the Test:

A triple marked retrieve on land -

Moderate cover (i.e. bird cannot be seen from a distance of more than a foot away)
Marks fall approximately 60 – 100 yards away
Throws should be angled back at approximately a 45 degree angle and at least 60 degrees apart from an adjacent fall. The falls for the complete test should not be more than 180 degrees apart.
The birds should not be thrown into the wind, if practical.
The sequence in which the birds are thrown shall be either clockwise (left to right) or counter-clockwise (right to left).
The marks should not be converging, i.e. thrown toward each other.
Two of the birds thrown shall be dead birds while the last bird thrown shall be a “flyer.”
Birds shall be pigeons, upland game birds, or ducks. Mixed species are not permitted in the same series. Note: If Goldens are entered, ducks may not be used in the land series.
Decoys may not be used on land

A double marked retrieve on water with an honor -

While both retrieves should be in swimming water, if the grounds allow, swimming water is a mandatory requirement for one of the retrieves (preferably the longer one).
Falls should be between 45 and 60 yards in length and should fall at least 60 degrees apart.
The memory bird, which may be either the longer or the shorter bird, shall be in moderate cover and not visible from the line. If there is no cover in the water, the bird may be thrown at the edge of the shore in cover. The other bird (diversion bird) may be visible from the line in open water, but must not be in anything more than very light cover.
The dog may retrieve the birds in any order without penalty.
Decoys must be used; there should be 2-4 decoys clearly visible from the line, but not in line with either fall.
There shall be an honor in the water series.
Birds shall be ducks and be in good condition – not water logged or damaged. Of the two ducks thrown, one may be a shot flyer, if it is no closer than 50 yards from the working and honoring lines. A shot flyer should be shot as the diversion bird.

WCX Test Rules:

Bird throwers and the guns should be in white or light-colored shirts or jacket to be clearly visible to the dogs in both land and water tests.
Handlers and/or judges may wear light or dark clothing.
Birds should not be thrown into the wind and should be clearly visible throws.
Throws must not be converging or thrown towards each other.
A mechanical throwing device, such as a “winger” used to throw the birds, either live flyers or freshly killed birds, is permitted for use in the WCX test at the discretion and agreement of the judges and test committee. The possible use of the wingers must be announced in the premium. The mechanical throwing device must be manned by workers wearing white (as described previously) and who are clearly visible from the line. Proper instructions must be given for its safe and correct use in order to avoid serious injury. Foot-release wingers are strongly recommended. (If Goldens are entered in the test, the test committee must abide by the GRCA winger policy in order for Goldens to receive credit for their qualification.)
Shotguns must be used. Popper loads shall be used for all dead birds. Steel or non-toxic shot shall be used where required. Safety should be of the utmost consideration when setting up the test and assigning workers.
Birds must be in good condition; ducks shall not be water-logged or damaged.
On arriving at the line, the handler may briefly point out the various gunners in the field before signaling to the judges that they are ready to begin the test. It is the discretion of the judges as to the duration of time spent by the handler pointing out gunners. The judges may choose to begin the test if an inordinate amount of time has passed
Dogs may retrieve the birds in any order without penalty.
A shot must be fired for each mark without a duck call or other attention getting devices. The shot can be immediately before the throw or while the bird is in the air.
Decoys will be used in the water series.
Handlers will not be required to handle a gun.
A test dog must be used to allow the judges to evaluate their test. By running a test dog the judges may discover unforeseen situations or hidden obstacles that weren't obvious when setting up the test. A test dog need not pass the test in order for the judges to make a good evaluation of their test.
The handler shall bring the dog quietly to line off-lead and without a collar.
The dog should be steady on the line, but a controlled break shall not eliminate the dog if it is quickly brought under control by a verbal command or whistle, and it promptly returns to the handler.
The handler shall not touch the dog at any time during the test.
The handler of the working dog may not talk to his/her dog from the time he/she signals for the birds until the judge releases the dog with its number or by saying “dog.”
The dogs must not be released to retrieve before its number or the word “dog” is called by the judge.
A dog may be recast from the line on a mark, but only if in the opinion of the judges, the dog was confused as to whether it was sent or not. It is the judges’ discretion as to whether the handler may recast the dog.
Once the dog has been sent to retrieve, the handler may not handle or do anything to encourage the dog in its hunt. When the dog has found the bird, the handler may encourage its return by voice, whistle, and/or gesture.
Once the dog has picked up the bird, it should return promptly to the handler.
The dog will deliver each bird to hand and relinquish it easily.
The honor dog may be asked to honor on-lead, if, in the opinion of the judges, the dog failed its water marks.
During the honor, a Flat-Coat handler may speak quietly to his/her dog provided his/her voice does not interfere with the running/working dog, its handler, or judges. Golden handlers shall remain silent while honoring in accordance with GRCA rules.
Both the running and honoring dogs shall leave the line off-lead and under control. However, the honoring dog shall not leave the line until released by the judges upon completion of the honor. A running or honoring dog is considered under judgment until dog and handler are behind the judges after leaving the line.
Multiple controlled breaks may be cause for elimination.
The judge’s decision is final.

WCX Judging/Handling Guidelines:

The test must not be tight, tricky, or set-up to intentionally confuse the dog.

Generally speaking, although the test will not be as demanding, the WCX should be run and judged under the same rules as those governing the Qualifying Stake as set forth in AKC’s “Field Trial Rules and Standard Procedure for Retrievers.” Exceptions are:

Handling a dog to a mark by signal, whistle, or voice is not permitted.
The honor, required in the WCX test, must be held in the water series. During the honor, Flat-Coat handlers may speak quietly to the dog to restrain it from breaking provided his/her voice does not interfere with the running/working dog, its handler, or judges. Note: In accordance with GRCA rules, Golden handlers shall remain silent while honoring.
The “honor box” shall be clearly identified. Any movement by the dog forward out of the “box” except under extraordinary conditions shall constitute a break, resulting in mandatory elimination.

The judges will score each dog as PASS or FAIL. A dog that fails any one series will not qualify at the test. A dog must receive a passing score from each judge to qualify at the test.

A list of the total number of qualifiers and each qualifying dog number will be submitted to the test secretary. Both judges must sign the officially marked catalog/running list. (See “Report to the WC/X Administrator.”)

Mandatory Elimination or Failure of the WCX Test

Releasing the dog to retrieve before the dog’s number/”dog” is called or dog is released by the judge.
Letting a competing dog watch the location of a fall for another dog before its turn to run. This will be a mandatory elimination of the dog, and possibly an elimination of the handler from the test if the Judges or test committee believes the violation to have been deliberate.
Restraining a dog by touching or by carrying exposed training equipment (except whistles), or by using any equipment or making any threatening gestures in such a manner that they are an aid or threat in steadying or controlling the working or honoring dog.
Deliberate blocking of a dog’s view by handler so that the dog will not see all birds thrown. This applies to both to the working and the honoring dog.
Loud or prolonged barking or whining
Noisy or frequent vocal commands to restrain the running dog from breaking, except in extraordinary circumstances, from the time the handler signals the judge until the dog’s number/”dog” is called.
“Breaking,” i.e. dog leaves the line to retrieve before the dog’s number is called by the judge. (Note: a dog will not be eliminated for a “controlled break,” when the dog leaves to retrieve before being sent and is quickly brought under control by a verbal command or whistle without manhandling, does not go beyond a point designated by the judges, and promptly returns to the line.)
Breaking the honor, i.e. leaving the honor box in an attempt to retrieve; there is no controlled break allowed on the honor.
Using a signal, a vocal command, or throwing anything to direct the dog to a fall or to persuade it to enter the water.
Dog returning to the handler, either without the bird or without having been called in, except when the dog is obviously confused as to whether it was ordered to retrieve.
The dog stopping its hunt.
Giving up after a search for one bird and going to the area of another fallen bird, or dropping a bird the dog is retrieving and going for another, i.e. “switching birds.”
Ignoring a bird when found and leaving it, i.e. “blinking the bird.”
Failing to find a bird that should have been found.
Retrieving a decoy.
“Hard mouth” or badly damaging game which, in the opinion of the judges, was caused entirely and solely by the dog, without justification.
Extreme “freeze,” i.e. unwillingness to release a bird on delivery until compelled to do so by severe means.