The bird dropped into a tangle of multiflora rose. I sent Harry, an English Setter, to retrieve and as he disappeared into the seemingly impenetrable wall of thorns I was thinking two things: This could be an amazing retrieve; and, it could take me several hours to comb the burrs out of his coat.

Harry and I were participating in an American Kennel Club Event for pointing dogs called a Hunt Test. We were testing at the Master level, where the dog should demonstrate its skills during a half-hour run with another dog and its handler. There are two judges, and official gunners. Harry had to show his ability to find birds and point them, staunchly, retrieve the birds after they were shot and honor (when he encounters his brace mate on point, he must stop and watch the bird work of the other dog and handler).So far, so good. Harry had found several birds and demonstrated great bird manners, heeling away with me after I flushed the birds, and fired a blank gun. He had honored the point of his brace mate, a female German shorthaired pointer. Now, in the "bird field" at the end of the course, a bird would be shot by AKC gunners, so that Harry could retrieve it.I'd already given Harry about two quarts of water. Given the unseasonably warm spring day, and his heavy coat, he'd been panting from the start. When he disappeared into the wall of thorns for the retrieve, he was gone for long minutes. The sporadic sounds of branches breaking kept me aware of his location. Finally, he emerged from cover, far downfield. I could see the white of his coat as he made his way toward me, and was thrilled to see that he was carrying the shot bird."Thank you, handler," one of the judges said. Later, after the scores were turned in to the hunt test secretary and Harry got a ribbon for his qualifying score, I saw the judge in the parking lot. "Hey," he said, "I didn't expect that."The judge told me that when he saw Harry's lengthy show coat, he didn't expect the dog to hunt up to the required standards for the test. But, Harry had proved to the judge that he'd been wrong to think that way."Form equals function," I said. I was repeating something I'd heard others say. Harry, and other dogs of his breed, and other pointing breeds, could excel in the show ring and in the field. With the right breeding, they could do both. I told the judge that Harry had gotten his Show Champion title and would head back to the show ring after he finished his Master Hunter title (would need five qualifying runs).During the spring hunt test season, Harry achieved the master hunter title by getting qualifying score five times (in nine attempts). He is proof that show dogs can hunt, if they have some field stock in their pedigree.GETTING A PUP?Are you thinking of getting a hunting dog pup to raise? Here's a quick review of what those initials in the pedigree mean, and what you should ask the breeder.CH- The dog is a show champion, meaning that it has been shown at a number of dog shows and accumulated 15 points. The show total must include two majors - which are wins over a certain number of dogs (it varies by breed, depending on how many have been registered in that area of the country). For example, a German shorthaired pointer male must beat five male GSPs to get a three-point major in the northeast.FC or AFC- The dog is a field trial champion. Most often, when the dog is set free to find birds, the handler is on horseback to follow it. Dogs from this background may have a naturally big running range, that keeps them way out in front of you.JH, SH or MH- Junior, senior and master hunter. The dog must qualify four times at junior, four at senior and five at master. Just as it sounds, the skills become more difficult from junior to master. For example, a junior hunter dog must only point for a few seconds, and can then chase the bird. A master hunter must point and remain motionless while the bird is flushed and shot, and the dog must retrieve to hand.deWhat else should you know? Both the sire and dam of the puppy should have had their hips X-rayed and gotten a rating of good or excellent (not fair or poor). If the X-rays weren't done, keep shopping for your puppy; that is the bare minimum for a health clearance. Some breeds may have hereditary defects involving the ears, eyes or heart; research your chosen breed to see if there are any hereditary issues. Have the puppies been wormed and gotten their first vaccination?Don't overlook one of the most important factors - the temperament of the sire and dam. At a minimum, you should be able to meet the mother of the puppies. Is she good with children, other dogs? Aggressive around food? Calm around the house? How was the sire chosen - is it possible to meet that dog as well?Do your homework, preferably before you see the puppies and get tempted by the little darlings.