The Rhodesian Ridgeback Hunting Trial System

-        Regulations and Guidelines –

Section 5 Game-Classes

Section 5.1 Game-Class Overview

There are four game-classes that a dog can be evaluated on. They include Birds, Small Game, Medium Game, and Large Game. All species for which a dog is to be evaluated on must have a formally approved score sheet in which they are included for a score to be issued and qualify towards title points - see section 4 subsections. If a dog is to be evaluated on a species which does not have an official score sheet, a request may be made to the HRA to either draft an official score sheet for that species or add that species to the list of species included in an existing sub-classes' score sheet. If a dog is to be evaluated on a species which does not have an official score sheet, and there is insufficient time to solicit one from the HRA, the judge must use her best judgement in using a score sheet which is for a species which most closely resembles the species in question. The details of that trial, and the score sheet, will then be reviewed by the HRA, and a determination will be made about the admissibility of the score derived from that trial. In these cases, the finding of the HRA will be final, unless overruled by the Board of Directors. For this reason, it is always in the owners' best interests to secure an official score sheet for the intended species before the trial. This will ensure that the score achieved will count towards a title.

Section 5.2 Class 1 - Game Birds

No weight guideline for Avian sub-classes

Section 5.2.1 Game Bird Overview

The Rhodesian Ridgeback is best described as a flushing bird dog. Successes as a flushing bird dog as measured by the standards of the trial, would result in completion of the Game Bird leg of the trial. Ridgebacks were originally used on Partridge and Guinea Fowl in Rhodesia and South Africa. We have neither native African Partridge nor Guinea Fowl here in the United States, but we do have numerous species of upland game birds and four species of Wild Turkey. For ease of judging, no more than two dogs are allowed on game bird braces, one dog being preferred.

Section 5.2.2 Class 1 Qualifier

Guidelines for the Game Bird precertification will be developed by the HRA at such time as they have been completed, they will replace/amend this section.

Section 5.2.3 Waterfowl sub-class not allowed

There are many confirmed reports of Rhodesian Ridgebacks making successful water retrieves on downed ducks and geese. However, this kind of work presents two problems:

1.        It is contrary to original function regarding the breed's correct aversion to complete immersion in water, the breed having been developed in a part of the world where complete immersion in an unknown body of water could very likely mean certain death by crocodile.

2.        Much waterfowl hunting in North America is done during seasons which, in many parts of the U.S., see water temperatures low enough that to ask a Ridgeback equipped with only a very short coat, would be both cruel and irresponsible.

For these reasons, Waterfowl species are not included among those for which qualifying scores may be obtained.

Section 5.2.4 Upland Game sub-class

Species for which scoring on the Upland Game sub-class scoring sheet are allowed include:

All species and sub species of Quail, Dove, Chukar, Wood Cock, Prairie Chicken, Partridge and Pheasant.

The Upland Game sub-class trial score sheet will be developed by the HRA. At such time as the sheet has been completed, it will amend this section.

Section 5.2.5 Large Fowl sub-class

Species for which scoring on the Large Fowl sub-class scoring sheet are allowed include:

All species and sub species of Peafowl, Guinea Fowl, and Wild Turkey.

The Large Fowl sub-class trial score sheet will be developed by the HRA. At such time as the sheet has been completed, it will amend this section.

Section 5.3 Class 2 - Small Game

Under 10 pounds

Section 5.3.1 Small Game Overview

Anyone familiar with the Rhodesian Ridgeback knows that their small game prey drive is high. While this is a good thing, the hunter requires more of a good canine hunting companion than just a desire to chase small, fury things. The small game trial should simultaneously demonstrate that the dog has a good prey drive, and that the dog understands that it is hunting with a human partner. The dog must not be out-of-control; the dog must instead understand how the game is played. Successes as a small game dog as measured by the standards of the trial, would result in completion of the Small Game leg of the trial. For ease of judging, no more than two dogs are allowed on small game brace.

Section 5.3.2 Class 2 Qualifier

Guidelines for the Small Game precertification will be developed by the HRA at such time as they have been completed, they will replace/amend this section.

Section 5.3.3 Hare sub-class

The Hare sub-class trial score sheet will be developed by the HRA. At such time as the sheet has been completed, it will amend this section.

Section 5.3.4 Squirrel sub-class

The Squirrel sub-class trial score sheet will be developed by the HRA. At such time as the sheet has been completed, it will amend this section.

Section 5.3.5 Other Rodentae under 10 pounds sub class

The Other Rodentae less than 10 pounds sub-class trial score sheet will be developed by the HRA. At such time as the sheet has been completed, it will amend this section.

Section 5.4 Class 3 - Medium Game

Between 10 and 100 pounds

Section 5.4.1 Medium Game Overview

Successes as a Medium Game hunting dog as measured by the standards of the trial, would result in completion of the Medium Game leg of the trial.

Section 5.4.2 Class 3 Qualifier

Guidelines for the Medium Game precertification will be developed by the HRA at such time as they have been completed, they will replace/amend this section.

Section 5.4.3 Bobcat sub-class

The Bobcat sub-class trial score sheet will be developed by the HRA. At such time as the sheet has been completed, it will amend this section.

Section 5.4.4 Raccoon sub-class

The Raccoon sub-class trial score sheet will be developed by the HRA. At such time as the sheet has been completed, it will amend this section.

Section 5.4.5 Fox sub-class

The Fox sub-class trial score sheet will be developed by the HRA. At such time as the sheet has been completed, it will amend this section.

Section 5.4.6 Rodentae under 100 pounds sub class

The Other Rodentae less than 100 pounds sub-class trial score sheet will be developed by the HRA. At such time as the sheet has been completed, it will amend this section.

Section 5.4.7 Coyote sub-class

The Coyote sub-class trial score sheet will be developed by the HRA. At such time as the sheet has been completed, it will amend this section.

Section 5.5 Class 4 - Large Game

Over 100 pounds

Section 5.5.1 Large Game Overview

The Rhodesian Ridgeback has received more of its accolades while employed in the hunting of Big Game, than hunting any other type of game. Certain types of big game carry with them greater potential for mishap or injury to a dog on the brace, and therefore a pack of at least three Rhodesian Ridgebacks, or a mixed pack of four or more dogs (of which, at least two must be Rhodesian Ridgebacks), must be assembled for the brace, and used for the entirety of the brace, for the score(s) to be counted towards any titles. The task of Judging is made that much more difficult with each Rhodesian Ridgeback added to the brace for scoring, but it is necessary for the sake of the handler, the dogs, and even the game in question. When evaluating one of these braces the judge is asked to make her best effort to notice each dog, take copious notes during the brace, and take special care to keep the identity of each dog being judged clear while making observations. For all sub-classes within the large game class, when a pack is formed all dogs that participate satisfactorily as defined by the standards of the trial will receive weighted points, by a factor of 15% with no dog's score to exceed 200 points for a given brace. It should be noted that dogs trialing in any class, but especially in the large game class, should ­never­ be penalized in anyway for instinctively cutting the track's line, anticipating turns of the game, or flanking, or 'packing up' or cooperating with the other dogs in any way. This behavior is correct for the breed and should in fact bolster the dogs' scores. Success as a Large Game hunting dog as measured by the standards of the trial, would result in completion of the Large Game leg of the trial. For the purposes of this trial, to be considered a part of this game-class, the game in question must have an average adult body weight greater than 100 pounds.

Section 5.5.2 Class 4 Qualifier

Guidelines for the Large Game precertification will be developed by the HRA at such time as they have been completed, they will replace/amend this section.

Section 5.5.3 Cervidae sub-class - Pack Recommended

The Cervidae sub-class trial score sheet will be developed by the HRA. At such time as the sheet has been completed, it will amend this section

Section 5.5.4 Mountain Lion sub-class - Pack Required

This big cat is known by many names: puma, mountain lion, cougar, panther, painter, catamount, American lion, deer tiger, and brown tiger. Regardless of the regional name, it's all the same cat: Puma Concolor. It can be argued that the Mountain Lion is the North American large game most worthy of the African Lion hound, a name for the breed that predates the Rhodesian Ridgeback moniker. The North American mountain lion is the only species for which scoring on the Mountain Lion sub-class scoring sheet is allowed.

The Mountain Lion sub-class trial score sheet will be developed by the HRA. At such time as the sheet has been completed, it will amend this section

Section 5.5.5 Bear sub-class - Pack Required

The Bear sub-class trial score sheet will be developed by the HRA. At such time as the sheet has been completed, it will amend this section

Section 5.5.6 Wild Goat sub-class- Pack Recommended

The Wild Goat sub-class trial score sheet will be developed by the HRA. At such time as the sheet has been completed, it will amend this section

Section 5.5.7 Wild Swine sub class - Pack Recommended

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