- SOLMS -

from 17. March 2007

I. Purpose of the Test (Zweck der Prüfung)

(1) The Solms test is a breeding test, an addition to
and expansion of the spring breeding test.

The purpose of the Solms-test, similar to the
Derby, is to assess the level of the dog's natural abilities
in regards to suitability and future use in versatile
hunting and breeding, as well as to determine the
parent's breeding value.

Particular attention is paid in general to the dog's
mental stability and temperament.

(3) The young dog's training for practical use in
hunting in the field and water must essentially be
completed by this time. The judges must be particularly
careful to determine natural abilities, which are
often masked due to the completed training.

(4) Required for proper execution of the test are:
large fields, containing a sufficient number of game
birds and rabbits, and a sufficiently large water area
with ample edge cover.

(5) The recognition of the parent's breeding value and
that of the dog being tested is facilitated by testing as
many littermates as possible.

II. Organization of the Test

(Veranstaltung der Prüfung)

§ 1

The Autumn Breeding Test - Solms - may only be held
in the autumn. Execution is the responsibility of the
clubs.

§ 2

(1) Admitted to the test are all Deutsch-Kurzhaars
born after 30. September of the year before last. They
must be registered in the Deutsch-Kurzhaar Breedbook
(Zuchtbuch DK). Other pointing dog breeds with
FCI-pedigrees are also admitted.

(2) If more than 3 dogs over the age of 20 months are
present, then they should be tested together in one
group.

§ 3

(1) Fundamentally, the testing should be conducted in
individual test category groups. However, the clubs
may exercise their own discrimination.

(2) If one judging group tests its designated group
dogs in all individual categories, then no more than 6
dogs may be tested in one day.

III. Execution of the Test

(Durchführung der Prüfung)

General (Allgemeines)

§ 4

(1) Dogs must be tested individually and thoroughly in
all categories. Each dog should be given several opportunities
to prove itself. The judge's report (form)
must contain all relevant details.

(2) The dogs can be tested in all categories in one
group or also separately in the categories of field and
water. If they are tested separately, the score for Nose
and Obedience is assessed by the field work judges
under consideration of the water work judge's evaluation.

The Individual Categories (Prüfungsfächer)

§ 5

The Solms is divided into these categories:

1. Fieldwork:

Nose

Search

Pointing

Work on winged partridge (pheasant), including
retrieving, or: searching and retrieving a freshly
shot partridge (pheasant) that was not seen falling
by the dog, or retrieving game bird on the drag.

2. Water work:

Blind retrieve from water with dense cover

Search behind the duck in water with dense cover

3. Furred game drag (Hare/rabbit)

4. Manner of retrieving

Hare or rabbit

Duck

Partridge/Pheasant/Pigeon/Duck

5. Cooperation

6. Obedience

7. Desire to work

8. Manner of hunting (gives tongue on track, gives
tongue on sight, silent or questionable)

The manner of hunting (gives tongue on track, gives
tongue on sight, silent, questionable or dog barks
without presence of game (waidlaut)) should be determined,
if possible. Giving tongue on track, giving
tongue on sight, or silent can only be evaluated when
following hare or fox. Shown manner of hunting on
other furred game is to be recorded on the score
sheet and signed by the test director.

When evaluating the performance in the categories
Nose, Obedience and Cooperation the separate
judging groups must come to an agreement.

In case of doubt, the field work judges tip the scales.

Field work (Feldarbeit)

The main emphasis is the determination of nose quality,
sure and fast finding of game, and a fluid, persistent,
methodical search. In order to fairly judge the
Solms dog's inherited talents, generally advanced
maturity and greater experience (as opposed to a
Derby dog) must be considered.

Nose (Nase):

(1) The judgement of the quality of the nose is the
most important and at the same time the most difficult
part of the field test. In general, the nose quality can
only be indirectly determined by closely observing a

multitude of signs. Therefore, the judges need great
knowledge and experience in order to consider the
respective circumstances, such as vegetation, wind
conditions, etc. Dogs with a fine nose exhibit a markedly
nose-dominated manner of work. These dogs
"lean" into the wind with their noses, briefly mark
game and game bird scents, chew the scent during
pointing, find quickly and stay in scent-contact with
moving game and are able to produce the game. A
sign of a good nose is the more horizontal than vertical
head position and could serve as an indication of
the quality of the nose.

Search (Suche):

(2) The search should be brisk, roomy, methodical,
fluid and persistent but never hectic, erratic, without
concentration or vision dominated. The manner of
the search should be determined by the use of the
nose and willingness to find game. The search that
is more adapted to the terrain and wind direction is
rated higher. The use of a good search pattern, correct
turning into the wind, and proper approach of the
ground cover are as important as speed adapted to
the terrain and vegetation or a fluid, ground covering
persistent gait. The style of the search allows valuable
conclusions as to the character, temperament, and
inner balance of the dog.

Pointing (Vorstehen):

(3) The dog should point or lie in front of tight sitting,
unmoving game birds until the handler approaches
and flushes the game, or until the game breaks out of
the cover by itself. The pointing should be expressive.
Short marking is not sufficient. Only positive pointing
of actual game is rated as pointing. Signs of good
pointing include judgement of the distance, independent
scent following of moving game and purposeful
rounding-up of moving game. Repeated intense
pointing without game present is a sign of unsure
pointing and must be rated as a fault.

If there are insufficient game birds, pointing of furred
game may be rated accordingly.

(4) If possible, a bird should be shot over the dog; or a
shot must be fired during the search when the dog is
not in contact with game. The purpose of the shot is to
prove gunfire tolerance of the dog in the field. The
steadiness to shot is not to be evaluated.

(5) The dog should preferably retrieve a freshly shot
bird:

a) work on the winged partridge is evaluated as such
if the dog works out the partridge's or pheasant's
track, finds it, and brings it to the handler.

b) If the opportunity to track and retrieve a winged bird
does not exist, the free search and retrieve of a
freshly shot bird may be evaluated if the dog did not
mark where it fell into cover. It's at the judge's discretion
to call up another dog for this work if the currently
working dog saw the bird fall.

The handler is shown the approximate location where
the partridge (pheasant) fell. The dog must be unleashed
and sent to search and retrieve about 40 m
from this location.

The dog should search closely in front of the handler
under the shotgun, and should demonstrate by its
controlled gait and low nose (close to the ground) that
it wants to find the game.

The rating of this work is dependent on the way the
dog complies with the task.

c) Under circumstances where opportunities for a) or
b) are not present, or where the dog failed to find the
bird while performing b), the dog is given a feathered
game bird drag (partridge, pheasant, pigeon or
duck).

1) The drag must be laid by a judge, downwind in
vegetation with two blunt angles and must be 150 m
long. The distance between the individual drags must
be at least 100 m at all points. At the end, a preferably
freshly shot bird is laid openly on the ground (not covered
or in a depression). Then the judge continues far
enough in extension of the drag to be able to hide, so
the dog will not see him. There he puts down openly
on the ground and in front of him the dragged game
bird after releasing it from the drag string. He may not
prevent the dog from retrieving this bird. The dog is
not allowed to see the laying of the drag. The handler
may request that the dragged bird be placed at the
end of the drag for the dog to retrieve. If the handler
chooses this option, he/she must inform the judges
prior to the drag work.

Upon the handler's request, drags can be laid with
one animal of respective species. In any case, the
dragged animal must be freed of the drag string before
the dog starts to work.

2) The handler may work the dog on a leash for the
first 20 m, then he has to unleash the dog and remain
in place. If the dog returns without having found game
and does not resume the track of the drag independently,
the handler may restart the dog twice. A restart
is any kind of influence that the handler may exert
over the dog to take up the trail again.

3) Required is willing, quick and independent locating,
quick grasping and eager retrieving of the game bird
without further handler influence. The drag work is not
rated as tracking. It is designed to determine the dog's
willingness and enthusiasm for finding and retrieving.
The dog is judged on its ability to adapt to the task -
whether it wants to search and retrieve and deliver the
game bird to its handler at all.

4) The manner of retrieving under conditions - parts

a), b) and c) (how the dog grasps, carries and delivers
the game) is scored under "Manner of Retrieving" (Art
des Bringens) (see § 9).

5) If the dog is interrupted by unusual circumstances
in his work on the drag or while retrieving, the judges
may grant him a new drag. In this case, the first performance
is not rated.

6) If a dog already performed in retrieving a partridge
from the cover, or on the game bird drag, and later
brings his handler a winged partridge (pheasant),
showing good or very good work, the later, more valuable
performance counts.

Water work (Wasserarbeit)

§ 7

The following subjects are tested in this sequence:

Gunfire tolerance, blind retrieve from water with dense
cover, search behind duck in water with dense cover,
manner of retrieving duck.

If a dog has a previous passing score for the search
behind the duck in dense cover, the best score is to
be used.

If the dog happens to find a live duck at any point
during its water test, this work must be scored for the
respective test. In this case, no previous scores are
copied and they have no influence on the result of the
current test. Such an occurrence must be recorded
separately in the general test report.

1. Gunfire Tolerance (Schussfestigkeit)

(a) A dead duck is thrown as far as possible into open
water within the dog's sight, and the dog is commanded
to retrieve. A dog that does not enter the
water within one minute after being commanded
to retrieve may not continue to be tested in water
work.

(b) While the dog swims toward the duck, a shotgun
discharge is fired into the water in the direction of the
duck. The dog must now independently retrieve
the duck (without the handler influencing or correcting
the dog's mistakes). If the shot does not hit the water,
the procedure has to be repeated, even if the
dog retrieved the duck.

(c) A dog that fails here cannot continue to be
tested in water work.

(d) If the dog is gunfire sensitive, the degree is to be
determined as described in the General Regulations,
Appendix 1.

2. Blind Retrieve from Water with Dense Cover
(Verlorensuchen im deckungsreichen Gewässer)

(a) The blind water retrieve with dense cover takes
place immediately following the test of gunfire tolerance.

(b) For this purpose, a freshly shot duck is thrown into
cover without the dog being able to see either the
throw or the duck in the water from the bank. The
duck is to be placed in such a way (island, opposite
bank, reed area) that the dog must be sent through an
area of open water to the cover.

(c) From a location greater than 30 m away from the
duck, the handler is given the approximate direction of
where the duck lies. The dog should independently
search for the duck from this point, and must find the
duck and retrieve it to the handler independently
(without the handler influencing or correcting the dog's
mistakes).

(d) The handler may support and guide his/her dog,
but constant influencing or shots or stone throwing
reduce the score.

(e) A dog that does not achieve a minimum rating
of "satisfactory" in this subject cannot continue the
test in water work.

(f) A dog that does not independently retrieve a
duck after finding it for the first time (without the handler
influencing or correcting the dog's mistakes) cannot
pass the test. In this case also the blind retrieve
from dense cover is to be evaluated with "insufficient".
As soon as the dog senses the duck, it is considered
found.

(g) If the dog happens to find a live duck during this
work, then the proceeding is as described in 3. and
the performance is evaluated in the subject "Search
Behind the Duck in Water with Dense Cover". Should
the performance be rated with at least "satisfactory",
then the subject "Blind retrieve from water with
dense cover" is tested, using the same duck that
was originally placed for this dog.

3. Search Behind the Duck in Water with Dense
Cover (Stöbern mit Ente im deckungsreichen Gewässer)

(a) A duck is released into cover without marking a
starting spot. The dog must not see these preparations.

(b) After the duck has been released, the judges
guide the handler to a point at shotgun range from
release location or from the duck, and indicate the
direction of the duck. Here, the handler commands his
dog to retrieve.

(c) The dog should independently search for the
duck. The handler may support and guide the dog
during the work, however constant influencing reduces
the score.

(d) As soon as the dog pushes the duck from cover
and pursues it on sight, the handler or another designated
and authorized person must shoot the duck,
without endangering the safety of the dog or people.

(e) The dog must independently retrieve the shot
duck (without the handler influencing or correcting the
dog's mistakes).

(f) The judges should terminate a dog's work as soon
as they have come to a conclusive judgement. This
also applies if the duck has not been shot in front of
the dog or the judges have concluded that the dog
does not satisfy the requirements. In the first case, a
dead duck is to be thrown into the water circa 30 meters
within the dog's sight, which the dog must retrieve
independently (without the handler influencing
or correcting the dog's mistakes).

(g) A dog that fails to independently retrieve a
duck (without the handler influencing or correcting the
dog's mistakes) that was shot in front of it, or
caught independently or was thrown within sight
of the dog after finding it for the first time cannot
pass the test. In this case, "Blind retrieve in water
with dense cover" as well as "Search behind the duck
in water with dense cover" are failed. As soon as the
dog senses the duck, it is considered found.

4. Retrieving of the Duck (Bringen von Ente)

(a) For the final score, all of the dog's retrieves during
water work are taken into account. The performance
of the retrieve as an expression of the trained ability,
i.e., the grasping, carrying (holding) and delivery, is to
be scored under the subject "Manner of Retrieve".

(b) If the dog drops the duck, perhaps to shake, then
the maximum score for this retrieve is "good". If, however,
the dog initially grasps the shot or thrown duck
awkwardly (i.e. at the head, wing, or leg) and subsequently
improves the hold on land without shaking and

continues to retrieve, sits down and deliver correctly,
the score may only be lessened for the reason of improving
the hold if a live duck could have escaped.

(c) The dog may not be faulted for shaking if he
keeps the duck firmly in the mouth.

(d) For the evaluation of the retrieve it is important to
observe if the dog carries the duck to the handler
properly, sits down and delivers correctly. For the final
score, all retrieving performances of a dog during the
water work must be considered.

(e) If a single duck retrieve is scored "poor", "insufficient"
or "not tested", the overall score for retrieving
the duck can only be "insufficient" or "not tested".

(f) During the water work the dog must independently
retrieve every found or caught duck
(without the handler influencing or correcting the dog's
mistakes). Praising the dog or getting the dog's attention
while the dog is retrieving shall not be deemed
prohibited handler influence if the dog is working correctly
at that time.

(g) If unusual circumstances disturb the dog's
retrieve, it is at the judge's discretion to give the dog a
further opportunity to retrieve a duck that was
placed for the dog or shot in front of it.

Furred game drag (Haarwildschleppe)

§ 8

(1) The furred game drag is tested with a preferably
fresh shot hare or rabbit. A judge lays the drags in
open terrain with two blunt angled turns, preferably
downwind with a distance of 350 meters. The distance
between individual drags must be greater than 100 m.
The dragged animal or a fresh one of the same species
is placed on the ground at the end of the drag
(not covered or in a depression). Then the judge continues
far enough in extension of the drag to be able
to hide, so the dog will not see him. There he puts
down openly on the ground and in front of him the
dragged animal after releasing it from the drag string.
He may not prevent the dog from retrieving this bird.
The dog is not allowed to see the laying of the drag.
The handler may request that the dragged animal be
placed at the end of the drag for the dog to retrieve. If
the handler chooses this option, he/she must inform
the judges prior to the drag.

Upon the handler's request, drags can be laid with
one animal of respective species. In any case, the
dragged animal must be freed of the drag string before
the dog starts to work.

(2) The handler may work the first 50 m of the drag on
leash, then he has to unleash the dog and remain in
place. If the dog returns without having found game
and does not resume the track of the drag independently,
the handler may restart the dog twice. A restart
is any kind of influence that the handler may exert
over the dog to take up the trail again.

(3) Required are willing, quick and independent locating,
quick grasping and eager retrieving of the furred
game without further handler influence. The drag work
is not rated as tracking. It is designed to determine the
dog's willingness and enthusiasm for finding and retrieving.
The dog is judged on its ability to adapt to the
task - whether it wants to search and retrieve and
deliver the furred game to its handler at all. Regarding
extraordinary circumstances, the rules for the feathered
game bird drag (§ 5 5) apply.

(4) The way of performing the retrieve, carrying and
delivery are scored under "Manner of Retrieve".

Retrieving (Bringen)

§ 9

(1) The manner of retrieving is scored by the execution
of the retrieve, that is, the learned skill of how the
dog grasps, carries and delivers the game.

(2) The dog exhibits the correct grasping and carrying
by adjusting the grip to weight and kind of game. Inappropriately
strong or weak grip, hold or carrying is
faulty. Hard mouth must be noted and must be recorded
on the score sheet.

(3) The correct delivery to hand is demonstrated if the
dog comes to the handler with the game, sits without
a command or after a simple - never loud! - command
by the handler and holds the game until the handler
has taken hold of it in a calm, never hasty manner and
commands the dog to release with the appropriate
command.

(4) All three retrieving subjects (partridge/ pheasant/
pigeon/duck, duck and furred game) are scored
separately. From these primary scores an average
score is calculated. If this average is a fraction between
two scores, the rounding must be orientated
towards the retrieving score for the furred game drag.

Example 1: Average score 3.3, with a score of 2 or 3
for furred game drag, the resulting overall score for
"Manner of Retrieving" is 3.

Example 2: Average score 3.3, with a score of 4 for
furred game drag, the resulting overall score for
"Manner of Retrieving" is 4.

(5) The dog must have shown performance in
each subject.

(6) Dogs that eat or bury game, as well as extremely
hard mouthed dogs that chew or pluck game must be
eliminated from further testing.

(7) Similarly, a dog that fails to retrieve any game
(feathered game and furred game) after finding it for
the first time is also eliminated from the test.

Cooperation (Führigkeit)

§ 10

Cooperation is an innate predisposition producing
useful teamwork between the handler and the dog in
all phases of hunting. The manner of cooperation is
evident in the willingness of the dog to readily stay in
contact with the handler and be manageable and how
it is willing to be of service to the handler.

Obedience (Gehorsam)

§ 11

(1) Obedience differs from cooperation in that it requires
a form of direct submission, resulting from upbringing
or training. The handler demands it from the
dog in a one-way communication.

(2) Obedience without game contact is exhibited by
the manageability of the working dog and by the obedience
to follow the handler's command willingly and
immediately (voice, whistle, or gestures) once it has

noticed and understood it. It also shows in the dog's
restraint during other dog's work, thereby showing that
he will not disturb his handler or other fellow hunters
during a hunt.

(3) Obedience in the presence of game is only required
to the degree that the dog does not chase
flushed birds. Repeated, long lasting hare chasing is
judged as a fault, because it withdraws the dog from
testing in the main field subjects on feathered game. If
this happens repeatedly, the dog may be eliminated
from the test.

(4) Obedience is the expression of efficient and thorough
training. It is a prerequisite for any kind of utilization
for hunting. The testing of obedience thus is of
utmost importance.

Desire to work (Arbeitsfreude)

§ 12

Desire to work is exhibited by the enthusiasm and
untiring eagerness with which the dog performs the
various tasks. It is determined and scored by close
observation throughout the whole test.

Hare Track (Hasenspur)

§ 13

(1) If a dog intentionally or by chance shows at least
satisfactory work in tracking an unseen hare or fox,
then this is to be recorded on the score sheet.

(2) Very good work in tracking will be marked by the
customary Andreas Star (*). This performance, however,
does not influence the general evaluation.

(3) The handler cannot request work on a hare track.

(3)The only criterion to be evaluated is the natural
ability of willingness to track and track sureness.
Shown tongue (Art des Jagens) is to be noted.

IV. Basis of Evaluation (Bewertungsgrundlagen)

§ 14

(1) The evaluation of the performance in the individual
subjects is in adherence to § 11 of the "General
Regulations" where the evaluation criteria are defined.

(2) If other groups have the opportunity to judge the
dog's nose performance (e. g. the water group during
the search behind the duck), they should make their
judgement available to the field group during the final
judge conference. The field group will determine the
final evaluation for the category "Nose". Work on the
drag may not be included in this evaluation.

(3) Cooperation, obedience and willingness to work
are evaluated by all judging groups and averaged in
the final judge's conference. In case of fractions, the
field group will determine the rounding off of the score.

(4) The score "excellent" (hervorragend) may only be
awarded in the natural ability subjects of the field and
water work.

(5) A ranking of the dogs within their prize categories
will not be conducted.

(6) Dogs that successfully pass a Solms in their first
year (breeding year), receive the notation (J) for youth
behind their assigned category (e.g. S1 (J)).

§ 15

Following are the minimum grades required for the
individual prize classifications.

Minimum requirements (Mindestbedingungen)

1st Prize 2nd Prize 3rd Prize

1. Fieldwork

Nose 4 3 2

Search 4 3 2

Pointing 4 3 2

Work on winged partridge/pheasant

or blind search and retrieve partridge/pheasant

or game bird drag (partridge/pheasant, pigeon,
duck)

3 3 2

2. Water work

Blind water retrieve

with dense cover 3 3 2

search behind the duck in water

with dense cover 4 3 2

3. Furred Game Drag (hare/rabbit)

3 3 2

4. Manner of Retrieving

Hare/Rabbit

Duck 3 2 2

Partridge/Pheasant/Pigeon/Duck

5. Cooperation 3 3 2

6. Obedience 3 3 2

7. Desire to work 3 3 2

The annual general meeting of the Deutsch-Kurzhaar-
Verband approved these regulations on 17. March
2007. They became effective on 1. April 2007.