Dilmunfast Deutsch Drahthaar
THE GERMAN TESTING SYSTEM

The German Testing System has been in existence since the inception of the breed and its success speaks for itself. Its purpose is threefold.

• First, to determine the natural inherited abilities of the dogs to better help identify those as future versatile hunting dogs.
• Second, to determine those dogs that can be of future use in the breeding program.
• Third, to identify the genetic tendencies of the parents and to better predict future breedings.

It is the RESPONSIBILITY of new Deutsch Drahthaar puppy owners to participate in the breed testing system for three reasons.

• First, you owe it to your puppy. Training for the breed tests puts you on a training schedule. You may say I'm only going to hunt so I don't need to test. Why would you want to hunt with an untrained dog? Sure the dog will perform but don't you want your hunting partner to reach their full potential? Train your dog.
• Second, you owe it to your breeder. The only source of information that the breeder has for the success or failures of his breeding program are the test results of the puppies that he produced. The breed tests give the breeder objective evidence as to the natural ability tendencies of his puppies, to know whether this particular breeding succeeded in producing the desired results. It also helps to point out gaps that may exist in his program and to look for future pairings that may fill those gaps.
• Third, you owe it to the system that produced your dog, so that our dogs can continue to be the quality animals that they are.

The testing system is broken down into the breed tests which include the VJP, HZP and the utility test or VGP. Other tests exist which further highlight certain abilities that showcase the versatility of this breed, such as the BTR and overnight blood track. The tests are designed to emphasize the importance that the Germans place on the work of the dog after shot - to recover game. To that end, judges look for the quality of and use of nose, desire to find or track game, calmness, concentration and perseverance to complete the task.

The breed tests evaluate the dog's performance in the field and water. Specific categories scored include nose, search, cooperation, tracking, pointing and various retrieves. These are tests that the dogs must pass to be included in any VDD certified breeding program. The VGP is the ultimate test of a versatile hunting dog. It is a two day test in which the dog is tested in 26 different categories. Each category must be passed or the dog fails the test. This test specifically evaluates the mental toughness of the dog as the dog must focus on and perform multiple tasks requiring varying levels of calmness and concentration. Obedience is also a hallmark of this test and any dog that successfully completes a VGP is truly a special dog. Passing this test is not required to be breed certified.

The VJP, HZP and VGP give numeric scores to document the dog's proficiency in any given area. Everyone wants a high scoring dog but the more important aspect of the scores is the collection of information that demonstrate the genetic tendencies of the parents and the ability to better predict the genetic outcome of future breedings.