Beginner’s Guide to the Kennel Club J Regulations for Working Tests

Gundog working tests are a popular and rewarding way to assess a gundog’s skills in a non-shooting environment. If you're entering your first test—or even organising one—it’s important to understand the Kennel Club's J Regulations, which govern how these tests must be run. This guide will walk you through the basics.

📘 You can access the full J Regulations on the Kennel Club website.

🐶 What Are the J Regulations?

The Kennel Club J Regulations are the official rules for field trials and working tests. They cover everything from eligibility and judging to dog welfare and what constitutes a fault during a test.

They are mandatory for all Kennel Club-licensed events and must be followed by:

Competitors
Judges
Stewards
Gundog clubs and societies

🧪 What Is a Working Test?

A gundog working test simulates a day’s shooting without live game. It tests a dog’s hunting, marking, retrieving, and obedience using dummies. These tests are often split by breed group:

Retrievers
Spaniels
Hunt, Point and Retrieve (HPR) breeds

Common working test levels include:

Puppy (under 18 months)
Novice
Open
Unclassified (e.g. team or water tests)

These classes allow dogs to develop progressively through the ranks.

📋 Key Rules All Handlers Should Know

Here are some essential J Regulation points for working tests:

✅ Basic Requirements

Dogs must be steady to shot and fall.
Retrieves must be to hand and done tenderly—hard mouth is an eliminating fault.
Control and quiet handling are highly valued.
Dogs must not chase, run in, or disturb ground unnecessarily.

❌ Eliminating Faults

In Working Tests you don't typically get eliminated. Instead you may received a zero score which means you will not qualify for any awards. This is different for Field Trials where you can be eliminated.

These result in a zero score (or immediate dismissal in a Field Trial):

Running in
Hard mouth
Refusal to retrieve
Whining or barking
Changing game
Out of control behaviour

Judges can also remove dogs that are without merit (more leanient in working tests) or not fit to compete (e.g. in season or unwell).

🧑‍⚖️ How Are Working Tests Judged?

Judging focuses on real-world gundog skills. Judges must assess:

Natural game-finding ability
Marking and memory
Drive, pace, and style
Control and response to handling
Delivery and mouth

🎯 In all cases, game-finding ability is paramount. In working tests this is the hunting aspect. A dog that needs little handling and picks "game" cleanly will outscore one that requires constant whistles or direction.

🏆 Awards and Placings

Dogs may receive:

1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th place
Certificates of Merit

Judges can withhold awards if the dogs do not meet the required standard. No joint placings are permitted—every placing must be clear and earned.

🏁 Who Can Enter?

To enter a working test:

Dogs must be registered with the Kennel Club or hold an Authority to Compete (ATC) number.
Clubs must publish schedules that include clear eligibility rules for each class (Open, Novice, etc.).

🛡️ Why It Matters

Following the J Regulations:

Ensures fair and consistent judging across the UK
Protects the welfare of all dogs
Helps develop top-class gundogs
Allows dogs to progress toward Field Trial Champion status

For new handlers, understanding these rules not only helps you compete more confidently but shows your commitment to the sport’s standards.

🎯 Final Tips for First-Timers

Read the J Regs Mini Guide (2025)
Attend a working test seminar or observer day
Practice working test-style exercises in a training group
Watch how experienced handlers work their dogs under pressure

📅 Ready to Enter a Test?

Our site helps you find and enter working tests, gundog training events, and connects you with top UK trainers and clubs. Check out the latest listings and get started in the sport the right way.

👉 Browse Working Tests Near You

Beginner's Guide to the Kennel Club J Regulations for Working Tests