---
title: Help With AKC Hunt Tests | Royal Gun Dogs
url: https://royalgundogs.com/faq/hunt-test-help/
business: Royal Gun Dogs
trainer: Richard Gebhart (professional gun dog trainer since 2002)
phone: (530) 341-4496
email: royalgundogs@yahoo.com
trains_at: Hastings Island Hunting Preserve, 7758 Hastings Island Rd, Rio Vista, CA 94571 (Solano County)
booking: call or text Richard directly
---

- [Home](https://royalgundogs.com/)
- [FAQ](https://royalgundogs.com/faq/)
- Does Richard help with AKC hunt tests?

# Does Richard help with AKC hunt tests?

Yes. Richard is active in the AKC retriever hunt test community, runs dogs and assists clients at local weekend tests, and has run and qualified at an AKC Master National. Ask him which level suits your dog.

Entering a first test is easier with someone who has been at many of them. Richard can help you pick a level, get the dog ready and know what to expect at the line.

## What AKC hunt tests are

AKC hunt tests assess how well a retriever finds and retrieves birds under varied conditions. Dogs are scored individually, not against each other, and each dog is scored 1 to 10 on marking, style, perseverance and trainability.

There are three levels: Junior, Senior and Master. Junior Hunter takes 4 qualifying scores, and a dog must be AKC registered, an eligible breed and at least 6 months old to enter.

## Where Richard helps

The [hunt test work in the Basic and Advanced Waterfowl programs](https://royalgundogs.com/programs/basic-waterfowl/) prepares dogs for the skills tests ask for, such as [blind retrieves](https://royalgundogs.com/glossary/blind-retrieve/) and [honoring](https://royalgundogs.com/glossary/honoring/). Handlers can add [handler lessons](https://royalgundogs.com/programs/lessons/) so you are ready to run the dog yourself.

## Find a test

The [California calendar page](https://royalgundogs.com/hunt-tests/california-calendar/) names clubs and links to AKC Event Search. Dates change, so always confirm there. Attending a test as a spectator first is free and is what the AKC suggests for beginners.

### Sources (3)

- American Kennel Club : [akc.org/sports/retrievers/hunting-tests/](https://www.akc.org/sports/retrievers/hunting-tests/) (checked October 27, 2026)
- American Kennel Club : [akc.org/sports/retrievers/hunting-tests/join/](https://www.akc.org/sports/retrievers/hunting-tests/join/) (checked October 27, 2026)
- Hastings Island Hunting Preserve : [hihp.com/royal-gun-dogs-dog-training/](https://hihp.com/royal-gun-dogs-dog-training/) (checked October 27, 2026)

### Your trainer

Richard Gebhart has trained dogs professionally since 2002, learned the Rex Carr method for Retriever Basics under Billy Sargenti, and has run and qualified at an AKC Master National.

[Meet Richard](https://royalgundogs.com/richard-gebhart/)

### Related

- [Retriever hunt tests](https://royalgundogs.com/hunt-tests/)
- [AKC Junior Hunter](https://royalgundogs.com/hunt-tests/akc-junior-hunter/)
- [Basic Waterfowl Program](https://royalgundogs.com/programs/basic-waterfowl/)
- [Your first hunt test: entering and what to bring](https://royalgundogs.com/guides/first-hunt-test/)

## Related questions

[All questions](https://royalgundogs.com/faq/)

### Does my dog need to be AKC registered?

For AKC tests, yes. HRC has its own rules.

### Which level should we start at?

The AKC recommends beginner handlers and dogs start at Junior.