So, what do these scores really mean?

 

For those of you that are not familiar with the NSTRA scoring/judging guidelines, here is a very basic explanation. The best way to learn more is to visit (and participate in) a weekend trial in your local region. To find your region, click here. For a detailed explanation and all the rules, you can view the current NSTRA Rule Book Here.

 

What is a Brace?

A brace is a randomly selected pairing of dogs who will run together in a specified field. Each Brace is 30 minutes long. Each dog/handler pair is assigned their own judge (they switch after 15 minutes or half the brace). In some trials the "bracemates" are competiting directly against each other, but in most formats, they are competing for birds in the field with their bracemate, but their scores are compared against the entire field.

 

Scoring Explained by catagory:

 

Find Score

Scoring Range for Finds is 0 - 100 (scoring begins when the dog makes game)

 

Plus Factors:

Exceptional Style

Remains steady regardless of interference

Extreme intensity

Hard, slam point

Remains high and intent during long, difficult flush attempt

Good game location

Works scent intelligently

 

Minus Factors:

Flagging (tail 'wagging' during point)

Lack of intensity

Creeping (taking slow steps toward game)

Low tail

Down in front (high head, high tail is preferable)

Laying down

 

Retrieve Score

Scoring Range for Retrieve is 0 - 100

 

Plus Factors:

Quick location of downed bird

Quick pick up

Blind retrieve (dog did not see the bird go down, but trusts handler's direction toward it)

Snappy return to handler

Easy release to handler

Exceptional retrieves such as water or an extra long retrieve

 

Minus Factors:

Trouble locating bird

Slow pick up

Hard mouth

Indirect return

Unwilling release

 

Obedience Score (O)

Scoring Range for Obedience is 0 - 75

 

Plus Factors:

Displays immediate response to handler's commands

Consistantly responds to handler

 

Minus Factors:

Failure to respond to handler

 

Ground Coverage Score (G)

Scoring Range for Ground Coverage is 0 - 100

 

Plus Factors:

Quick and thorough search for birds such as quartering

Sharp, classy movements

 

Minus Factors:

Pottering with ground scent

Running and not actually hunting, such as head racing

Not covering the ground thoroughly

Spending time out of bounds

Lack of enthusiasm

 

Back Score (B)

Scoring Range for Back is 0 - 75 (scoring begins when backing dog has the opportunity to see pointing dog)

Backing is also referred to as Honoring and is when a dog sees another dog pointing game and recognizes it by 'pointing' even though it cannot scent the game.

If there is no score, the dog did not have an opportunity to see a pointing dog. If there is a zero, the dog saw a pointing dog and refused to back.

 

Plus Factors:

Backs immediately upon seeing pointing dog

Dog is intent with good style

Remains intent until handler reaches dog to control him while pointing dog completes his retrieve

 

Minus Factors:

Lacks intensity

Flags (wags or moves tail), lays down, has low tail or is low in front

Looks at handler rather than at pointing dog.

 

Miscellaneous Scoring Stuff:

'/' in Retrieve score: no retrieve score given for that find. The bird was not located by the dog for whatever reason.

0 in the Retrieve score: dog found the downed bird but refused to deliver it to handler

'A' in Retrieve score: an average of retrieves will be given. This is primarily used when a handler/gunner is unable to shoot at a bird for safety reasons.

'INT' in Retrieve score: interference. the pointing dog is given an average of his scoreable retrieves due to interference by it's bracemate.