In 2001, I brought my Labrador Retriever, Guinness, to our first AKC hunt test. My heart pounded in my chest as two nearby judges scrutinized not just my dog’s every motion, but mine as well. When a judge called for my dog to be released, I sent him to demonstrate the training of an entire year. He returned to me swiftly and sat at my side, gently holding the mallard drake in his mouth. We earned our first qualifying ribbon that day and ran three more tests shortly thereafter. We passed all three without fail, and Guinness earned his first title that season. I was forever hooked.

Retriever sports are not for the faint of heart and expenses can be great. Dog care and equipment, as well as travel andentry fees, add up quickly. You must be willing to accept early mornings, muddy clothes, guns, and yes…handling birds.There is also the dedication of a great dealof time. Weekends and evenings must often be sacrificed for travel, training, and competition. Nonetheless, for those who are willing, the thrill of competition awaits. 

Choosing the right dog for you: I suggest starting with a puppy; eight to twelve week old puppies are ideal. There are many possible breeds to choose from: Labradors, Goldens, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers, Standard Poodles, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Irish Water Spaniels, and Flat Coat Retrievers are just a few. Ask trainers familiar with any breed of interest to learn about their general temperament and trainability.

Health and Pedigree Factors: Another consideration to make when choosing your future super retriever is the pedigree. All retrievers are not created equal. Some have been bred to be performance athletes, while others were bred only to look a specific way. Pedigrees boasting field titles are more likely to produce pups capable of testing and/or trialing. Pedigrees loaded with field titles sometimes produce “type A” dogs (i.e., dogs that are, like “type A” people, a bit hyper and require plenty of exercise and daily work). If this is your first attempt at training a retriever, you may want to consider a show/field cross. These pups are often a nice blend of desire and drive, and tend to have a bit calmer attitude. Show Champion titles are noted on a pedigree as CH. AKC field titles are: NFC, NAFC, FC, AFC, JH, SH, MH. UKC titles are: HR, HRCH, GHRCH, UH. The Curly Coated Retriever Club of America offers an explanation of titles. http://ccrca.org/ret_titles.htm 

Be sure to purchase from a breeder who will provide references and health clearances. “Must have” certifications are: C.E.R.F and O.F.A. Breeders of Labrador Retrievers also test for C.N.M. 

To learn more about these certifications visit:

Additional Resources: www.retrievertraining.net  www.entryexpress.net  www.prta.net  www.working-retriever.com  

Puppy Training: Socialization and  training for a dog destined to be a good  retriever should go beyond typical pet dog  basics. Pups should be properly introduced  to gun fire, swimming, various terrain,  and birds at a young age. I start  basic obedience using treats and luring  techniques right away. I teach “heel” on  left AND the right, as well as the “sit” and  “here” commands. I build drive with my  young dogs by making retrieving fun, and I always end my session when the pup  still wants to do one more retrieve. I use  soft canvas bumpers (sometimes with  bird wings attached) or white paint  rollers to develop proper marking, hunting,  and holding/carrying skills.

The road to a well-trained retriever is a long one, and one that requires a ton of patience. With dedication, you can get a retriever to his/her first hunt test in about a year. If you are considering getting involved in retriever training, I highly encourage it. Just beware…you and your dog will quickly become “quack addicts.”

Danielle Johannemann - Pellicci