TRAINING DAYS:

SBDA typically sponsors one or more training days each year to help retriever owners work with their dogs in an informal setting. These fun and relaxed events are offered by the club for a nominal fee and are typically timed to kick off the spring training season. The club provides support equipment and participants alternate between running their own dogs, and supporting other handlers when they run theirs.

PICNIC TESTS:

These events are designed to help handlers and their dogs prepare for the Licensed Field Tests. The sponsors two NAHRA approved “picnic” or “fun” tests each year. These are fun, relaxed events designed to simulate the SBDA generally experience of more formal hunting tests. They’re a great learning experience for both dogs and handlers.

NAHRA FIELD TESTS:

Each year the SBDA sponsors three NAHRA (North American Hunting Retriever) Licensed Field Tests. In these tests, the dogs DO NOT compete against one another (the opposite of a Field Trial), but are judged against a written standard on a Pass/Fail basis. You’ll want to stick around after the Tests on Saturday for the Awards Ceremony and a Bar-B-Q supper on the grounds. In order to earn a title in these tests, you must be a member of NAHRA. NAHRA membership information may be found on their web page http://www.nahra.org . NAHRA rules, guidelines and test dates throughout North America can also be found on the NAHRA site.

NATIONAL SHOOT TO RETRIEVE FIELD TRIALS (NSTRA) :

Generally the SBDA holds a NSTRA Field Trial each Spring, in the May time-frame at Landt Farms and Sporting Clays. This is a pointing dog field trial and there are two trials held on both Saturday and Sunday. The all day events start at 7:00 AM, with a Bar-B-Q lunch on site and an annual salmon dinner for the entrants and judges Saturday evening. For a Membership Application to run your pointing dog with NSTRA trials in the Northwest please click on http://www.nstra.org

OTHER EVENTS:

TRAINING CLINICS:

The number and focus of Hunting Dog Training Clinics will vary from year to year, but there are generally one or two training sessions conducted. One very popular clinic is the “Handler’s Clinic”, which offers a supportive environment in which to pick up dog training tips and advice on how to handle a dog during a Field Test as well as opportunities to try different scenarios while being coached.

ANNUAL AWARDS DINNER:

In the early part of each year, the Annual Awards Dinner is held to celebrate all the hard work and successes of the recently completed season. It’s a great time to socialize with other members as well. To add to the festivities, raffles are held throughout the evening as well as a silent auction.

CLUB FUN HUNT:

Our annual club fun hunt is a fun competition between members dogs of all hunting breeds. Usually held in the Spring, a pointer could be braced with a flusher or retriever for a 15 minute brace. A field of 24 dogs fills the trial. This is for braggin’ rights for the year and a nice trophy is presented at the annual banquet.