We require each Drent breeder who is breeding within the club to follow these guidelines:
Minimum/Mandatory requirements:
1. Temperament Requirements. To ensure that each Drentsche Patrijshond maintains the calm, cooperative temperament that the breed is known for, each Drent being considered for breeding must have its temperament evaluated. Temperament evaluations take place at the annual breed show and club meeting. Drentsche Patrijshonds that are classified as either Category 2, 3, or 4 are eligible for breeding. Drents that have their temperament classified as Category 1, 5, or 6 are ineligible for breeding and none of their offspring can be registered. Each dog will receive a temperament rating. The rating system is as follows:
a) Category 1: Dog is shy and/or afraid of people and/or other dogs b) Category 2: Dog is very calm and laid back c) Category 3: Dog is very even-tempered/balanced; is friendly but not exuberant d) Category 4: Dog is very outgoing and excited; may whine or bark a little e) Category 5: Dog is overly excitable and/or hyper; excessive barking and whining f) Category 6: Dog is aggressive; may growl or bark at people and/or other dogs
2. Health Requirements.
a) Hip and Elbow Evaluations. Drentsche Patrijshonden being considered for breeding must have their hips and elbows x-rayed in an effort to keep incidences of Hip Dysplasia in the breed low. Hips must be evaluated and rated very high (excellent or good) through the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals or evaluated and rated very high (A or B) by the veterinary association of their country of origin for imported adults.
b) Eye Evaluations. Drentsche Patrijshonden being considered for breeding must have their eyes CERF certified free of heritable eye disease in an effort to keep incidences of PRA, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, and other heritable eye diseases in the breed low.
3. Conformation/Bench. Drentsche Patrijshonden being considered for breeding must be representative of the breed in coat and conformation and have at least one exterior evaluation of Very Good (see by-laws).
Optional & Highly Encouraged activities:
1) Hunt Testing. The DPCNA highly encourages Drents to participate in at least one natural ability hunting test before they are bred. Ideally both parents, but at least one Drent in each breeding pair should have passed an advanced level test. To be certified “preferred for breeding”, a Drent must receive at least "very good" scores in the categories of nose, pointing, and search. The Drent can fulfill its hunt testing requirement, the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association (NAVHDA),ttp://www.navhda.org/ , or with the Versatile Hunting Dog Federation (VHDF,http://www.vhdf.org/ ), and once accepted into the American Kennel Club’s Foundation Stock Service Program the Drent may attend AKC Hunt Trials.
a.) NAVHDA. Drents are encouraged to participate in the Natural Ability Test by 16 months of age and are strongly encouraged to complete the Utility test. NAVHDA uses a 4 point scale to score their tests. To qualify for “preferred for breeding”, under this system, a Drent must score at least 3’s in nose, pointing, and search in the Natural Ability Test.
b.) VHDF. Drents will be encouraged to pass the Hunting Aptitude Evaluation by 18 months of age, and are strongly encouraged to complete the Performance Evaluation. The VHDF tests also use a 12-point scale for scoring each category. To qualify for breeding, a Drent must score a 9, 10, 11, or 12 in nose, pointing, and search in the Hunting Aptitude Evaluation.
c.) AKC. Drents are encouraged to participate in AKC Hunt Tests for both Pointing and Retrieving. Ideally, a Junior Hunt title will be achieved at the minimum. Drents will also be encouraged to score a number of points to be determined in the future in a (walking or open) Puppy Stakes by 14 months of age, and/or score a number of points to be determined in the future during a (walking or open) Derby Stakes by 20 months and are strongly encouraged to compete in a (walking or open) Gun Dog and/or Limited Stakes by 24 months of age and score a number of points to be determined in the future. In order to become “preferred for breeding”, a Drent will have completed an All-Age or Limited All-Age Stakes or higher and scored a number of points to be determined in the future.