(Pictured above: Chilli, Ember, Sochi, Coco, Howdy, Valor, Trouble & Eva) We've made some additions and have had some loss. A couple are the joy of their new families.
You'll notice letters before and after the registered names of our girls. We spend our summer months involved in training to prepare and running Hunt Tests. With each pass or qualifying score, we begin earning those letters (titles) and bring home ribbons. The purpose is to produce a puppy that anyone would be proud to own!
We were introduced in 2014 to the world of Hunt Tests when Sugar was in training at Flatlander Kennels. They recognized her talent and intelligence soon after we dropped her off. We went to watch her, and we enjoyed it very much! The following year I began running in the lower stakes. Now I handle the girls myself up to from the lower stakes of Junior or Started to the biggest National events. We average nearly 30 tests a year and have enjoyed a 85% +\- success rate. In the Fall of 2021 ran our first Master National. You could say I'm hooked!
Since beginning to run at the Finished level we have produced 5 HRCH's as well as a 3 Master Hunters. We will be taking two girls to the 2023 Master National.
We recognized that running Hunt Test and earning titles would also be a great indicator of intelligence and train-ability of our dogs. So, to the people say, "I don't care about all those ribbons and titles" You haven't seen what dogs of that caliber are capable of. I would never dream of buying a dog out of untitled parents ever again!!!!
Following is a description of titles:
The Hunting Retriever Club, Inc. and the United Kennel Club, Inc. are providing a program to develop the hunting retriever to fulfill its intended purpose in life - hunting. These two organizations, working closely together, providing hunters and hunting retrievers a series of actual hunting tests in a controlled environment working toward titles granted by UKC.
Upland Hunter (UH)
Started Hunting Retriever (SHR)
Hunting Retriever (HR)
Hunting Retriever Champion (HRCH)
Grand Hunting Retriever Champion (GRHRCH) 3X,4X,5X or more each additional Grand pass.
American Kennel Club (AKC) also have Hunt Test which allows a dog to earn Titles or Degrees. We transition to AKC usually once we have earned their HRCH (finished) title. Normally we go straight to Master Tests. It can prove to be more challenging for some dogs than others. We have earned Master Hunter titles on 3 of our girls as of July 2023. Sochi, Peach and Faith are our firsts.
When a dog earns a Qualifying Score (pass) they earn ribbons and points and just like the Hunting Retriever Club (HRC) titles for (AKC) are as follows and their title follows their registered name. Example HRCH Whiskey Raiders Sochi Bear MH14
Junior Hunter (JH)
Senior Hunter (SH)
Master Hunter (MH)
Master National Retriever (MNR)
Second pass of the Master Nationals (MNH)
Fourth pass of the Master Nationals (MNH4)
Honestly, I enjoy aspects of both clubs but have grown to prefer running AKC Master Tests the most.
Below are two of the most used entry services in the country.
Click go to go to Entry Exspress
Click image to go to Hunt Secretary
