Gambler became a  Hunting Retriever Champion this past weekend. He now adds HRCH to his registered name. The second highest level a dog can reach running UKC – HRC hunt tests.

Here are the titles a dog can earn while running UKC – HRC hunt tests.

GRHRCH – Grand Hunting Retriever Champion
HRCH – Hunting Retriever Champion
HR – Hunting Retriever
SHR – Started Hunting Retriever
UH – Upland Hunter

Gambler has not run any Upland Hunter tests nor has he been eligible before this weekend to run the Grand. Now that he has reached his 100pts needed to receive his HRCH he can now run the Grand  hunting event if we so choose to. Right at this time we will not be running the fall Grand. The Grand is run twice a year, once in the spring and again in the fall.

The Hunting Retrieving Club for those who don’t know what it is: Taken from the UKC website

“Conceived by Hunters for Hunters”. This is both the founding philosophy and the reality of the Hunting Retriever Club. Probably only a few people know the history behind the motto, but all people affiliated with the United Kennel Club and the Hunting Retriever Club should be aware of it because of HRC’s and UKC’s contributions to the world of the hunting retriever.

You can read the rest HERE.

Gambler started out on June 23 and 24, 2012 by passing 2 started tests, he then pasted 2 more tests on June 30 and July 1st to receive his SHR title. On June 23, 30 and August 3rd 2013 he passed 3 seasoned tests to receive his HR title. On August 9, 10 and 22nd 2015 then on June 18th 2016 he passed 4 finished tests to receive his HRCH title. Thanks go out to Gambler’s judges Dennis Maas and Pat Gysbers for putting on a nice finished test and for Horicon Marsh HRC for hosting the event.

This as you can see has been a work in progress. Along with running UKC-HRC hunt tests we have also been running AKC hunt tests as well as other performance and conformation events. All of Gambler’s foundation training has been done by me. John has run marks and blinds with Gambler on the day’s that I was out of town. I handled Gambler to his started and seasoned title while John handled him to his finished title. It was a combined effort that we couldn’t be prouder doing together. For anyone that has trained for and run hunt tests know that this is quite the accomplishment to be a amateur and have a dog compete and title to this caliber. Gambler is my first Chesapeake that I trained to this level. There were many times I wanted to give up and throw in the towel but I didn’t through all the failed tests I just picked myself up and trained harder, had more talks with Gambler and set out to win no matter how long it took us. I’ve learned there is no race to receive the titles what counts is what happens along the way, what you teach your dog, what your dog teaches you and the fun you have with your best friend. Gambler has humbled me in so many ways and I believe I am a better owner/trainer/handler because of it!

I’ll be honest and can’t say that I am sad he is now done running hunt tests. I am overjoyed that he is done and now we can move on to the white jackets (field trials).

A new adventure awaits us.

Without further ado let me introduce you to:

USJ HRCH U-GRCH Sand Spring Ev’ry Paw’s A Winner MH CGCA THDN TT

USJ – United Senior Jumper (UKC), HRCH – Hunting Retriever Champion (UKC) U-GRCH – Grand Champion (UKC), MH – Master Hunter (AKC), CGCA – Community Canine (AKC) THDN – Therapy Dog Novice (AKC) and TT – Temperament Test