by Diane McCann » Thu 07 Sep 2006 9:59 am
I would have thought that a dog that runs to the AOF and hunts in a relatively tight pattern has indicated that it has 'marked' the fall and would be given points accordingly.
Dogs A & B may both mark the fall well but dog A may have a bird sitting high that it retrieves immediately and dog B may have a bird sitting low in cover that if does not locate so quickly. If they both remain in the AOF then I would expect their 'marking' points to be similar. Would others agree?
If a dog indicates that it has marked the fall as described above but leaves the area after a fruitless hunt, should it be penalised for lack of marking or for lack of persistance, lack of nose, etc. Does there need to be a distinction or will it all come out on the score sheet either way?
As Peter questions, if the dog A leaves the area, goes for a gallop then returns to the area and finds the bird is it entitled to be marked higher than the dog that leaves the area and is quickly stopped and handled back in?
Just a matter of interest to me to hear what others think is most appropriate. Any judges willing to share?