"Conceived by Hunters for Hunters" is both the philosophy and reality
of the Hunting Retriever Club, Inc. ("HRC"). Established in 1984, the primary purpose of HRC is: "...the betterment
of Hunting Retrievers as a whole and to influence the breeding and training of a better and finer Hunting Retriever; to provide
hunters and Hunting Retrievers a series of actual Hunting tests in a controlled system and furnish an ongoing educational
program for the Hunters, for their training, experience, and sporting competition. Further, it is the purpose of this Association
to support and protect the inherent rights of its members to own, hunt, bear arms, to promote the breed and type of dog of
their choice and promote complimentary conservation and management of game birds and wildlife species commonly pursued by
the members of the Hunting Retriever Club, Inc."
HRC
is affiliated with the United Kennel Club, Inc., Kalamazoo, MI, who carries the registry for the HRC. A totally volunteer
organization, HRC is democratically governed by a Board of Directors and an elected Executive Committee. Membership in HRC
is open to all persons regardless of age, race, religion, creed or national origin. The HRC is family-oriented offering outdoor
fun and fellowship to its participants. Participation by women and children is strongly encouraged and a wholesome atmosphere
is maintained at all times. While most HRC members own retrieving breeds, participation in events is open to those with other
versatile hunting dog breeds that can do the work.
HRC maintains its common
sense, hunting realism in testing Hunting retrievers. There are four ability-based (not age) categories that the dogs may
enter in the HRC Tests: Started, Seasoned Finished and Grand. Unlike field trials, these are not competitive 1st, 2nd and
3rd place events, but tests where all dogs are judged pass/fail against a "Hunting Standard". These are events that
are great fun where everyone can root for the other person’s dog and help each other with their training. The judges
must be experienced Hunters and must pass HRC administered tests, apprentice as judges, have gun safety training, attend judging
seminars, have handled and passed a dog in the category that they are judging and meet other HRC requirements. Good ‘Hunting-oriented’
judges are the key to having tests with Hunting realism.
The tests are directly
related to hunting the retriever in the field for waterfowl and upland game. Unlike field trials, the bird throwers and any
guns in the field are NOT exposed and dressed in white, but are hidden as in real hunting situations and dressed in appropriate
hunting clothing.. The Handler must wear camouflaged or other hunting attire. Gallery members must also wear appropriate camouflaged
or other hunting attire due to creating distractions for the working dog. In the three upper levels, the Handler handles the
shotgun (firing blanks), and works his/her dog from a blind or perhaps a boat, and may be required to quarter the dog in a
pheasant or quail field. Seasoned, Finished and Grand dog Handlers must direct their dogs to birds the dog did not see fall
(a blind). HRC stresses actual ‘Hunting realism’ and ‘gun safety’ in the hunting tests.
The Grand Hunting Tests are held twice a year and are open only to those retrievers that have attained
their Hunting Retriever Championship title. While there are around 1,200 Hunting Retriever Champions, there are only 48 Grand
Hunting Retriever Champions. These Grand tests are considered the ‘Retrievers Superbowl’.
