What is the ACC “Working Dog Certification Program”?
The primary objective in the establishment of this program is to encourage the development and use of those natural working and retrieving abilities for which the Chesapeake Bay Retriever was originally bred. Additionally, it is hoped that the program will provide another available means to help determine future breeding stock.
This description should be read and followed in conjunction with the “Guidelines to the Judges and Handlers” and the “Suggestions for Line Procedures”.
Dogs must be at least six months of age and American Kennel Club (AKC), Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) registered or holding a foreign registry acceptable in the country holding the stake. An AKC ILP or PAL number is an acceptable registration to be able to compete in this program.
Questions? Send an email to the Hunt Test Committee Chair. Check the Board and Committees page for the current Hunt Test Committee Chair.
You may download all the WD/X/Q Rules and Guidelines in PDF format below
Program revised 7-18-17
**Please note, on all documents that list Laurea Griggs as Program Director and Gale Frana or Margi Palmer as Treasurer are no longer correct.
Currently the Hunt Test Committee oversees the WD/X/Q Program, please check the Board of Directors and Committees page for the current HT Chair and Treasurer.
Effective 8-12-2025 – Updated Fees: A $85 fee will be charged for ACC Members for entry. You must be approved as a member by the entry deadline to use this fee. A $95 Fee will be charged for Non-Members. Non-Members can run each dog in only one stake – the WD, X or Q. You would sign an ACC membership application that day (if not before). You have 30 days only to submit your membership application with fee ACC Board approval. If approved as a member, you would then receive your passing certificate from the ACC WD Program Chairman. A Non-Member can run one time only as a non-member. See the WDXQ rules for complete info.
Dogs wishing to run Non-Contention: If your dog has previously earned a WD/X/Q Certificate, you may run only at the end of the running order as non-contention and providing there is enough time for extra dogs to run. These Non-Contention entries will be approved at the entry deadline date according to total number of dogs entered in the one-day competition. You would be notified shortly after the entry deadline if your entry is accepted. See the WDXQ rules for complete info.
An additional information packet with many more items will be sent to the Stake Chairman once they are confirmed for holding a WDXQ.
FYI: A Stake Chairman may hold one or all of the WDXQ Stakes for an Event. It is not necessary to hold all 3 at one time if you so choose.
