American Retriever Classic

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AMERICAN RETRIEVER CLASSIC SHOWCASES TOP DOGS

Retrievers are amazing. In the hands of a professional trainer these canine companions perform feats that are astounding using their sight, scent, and a bit of direction from a hand or whistle command.

If you want to see some high blooded Labradors living up to their reputation then venture out to the American Retriever Classic now underway at the farm of Ed Watson here in Henry County. Trainers are here from several states competing in the three-day event that began Thursday morning.

Watson’s 360-acre Bear Creek Farm is located at 1295 French Road in Mansfield where he has constructed five ponds and courses just for training dogs for competition and hunting scenarios.

Trainers participating in this week’s classic are serious and there is a high level of competition by dogs who may command a price tag in the $20,000 to $30,000 range! At this level each dog entered requires a $200 entry fee.

This week’s event will see the winner take home $5,000 for first place and $1,000 for second. Yet adding a title to the dog’s resume is a feather in the cap for both the owner and trainer who stand to reap big bucks from pups and stud fees, not to mention the added publicity to future dog owners looking for a trainer with credentials.

“I came under the spell of retrievers back in 1986 and decided to start the American Retriever Classic two years ago with a spring and fall event,” said Watson, who has traveled the country entering several different circuits. “This gives dog owners and trainers another event to earn cash and compete.”

Watson’s farm has courses laid out in 320 yard routes where a dog must mark and retrieve the bird. To say it’s challenging is and understatement. Judges score the dog and handlers via a series of four tests.

After two series the field is culled down to just twelve dogs. Another tough series of distant retrieves narrows the field down to just six and the final is a stress test.

“Most of these dogs have run in the Super Retriever Series seen on national television and this event will be filmed by Charlie Ingram for national cables channels as well,” said Watson, himself the owner of a former Grand Champion black Labrador by the name of Dollie. Yet Watson will not be competing but helping make the event a success for all those visiting.

Black Labradors are dominant when it comes to these type competitions yet a few yellow and chocolate dogs are sometimes in the field. Not many Golden Retrievers or Chesapeake breeds are entered in the national circuits.

“Bobby Wills of Greenfield won last year’s event and will be here defending his title,” continued Watson when asked about other trainers. “We’ll have folks from Louisiana, Georgia, and Arkansas venturing here. This is pretty serious stuff as trainers command as much a $500 a month to train dogs and pups can sell for $2,000 out of a top blood line.”

Truth is the dogs are human. They make mistakes too and this week’s winner might not take the top spot next week. Quarterbacks have off weeks and so do these highly trained dogs.

If you want to see some top notch dogs and handlers at work right here in our own area then make a point to attend the event. The finals will begin Saturday morning around 8 AM and likely finish by noon so you can make a morning of it.

After watching these four-legged athletes perform you’ll garner a better idea of what dogs are capable of doing in the right atmosphere and in the hands of the right person. The performance has countless hours of time and effort between the two.

That’s why watching, looking, and listening can help any retriever owner learn something when he or she attends such outings. Sometimes it makes one realize the dogs are the smartest ones there!

Steve McCadams is a professional hunting and fishing guide here in the Paris Landing area. He has also contributed many outdoor oriented articles to various national publications.

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