The Rainier Hunting Retriever Club (RHRC) is located in the Puget Sound area of Washington State. Club members enjoy training and competing with their dogs. Many retriever breeds and skill levels are represented but one thing we hold in common is the love of a well-trained working dog.
RHRC hosts Two AKC Sanctioned Hunting Retriever Tests annually. One is held in May and the other in August. They are judged by AKC Licensed Judges. In June, the club sponsors the Mark Wickham Memorial 10 Series Singles where dogs are given single marks on land and water. Winners receive a trophy and ribbons. The Club also sponsors training sessions and some social events during the year.
RHRC cancelled all events in 2020 due to concerns regarding COVID-19. We successfully held both our Spring and Fall Hunt Tests in 2021. Our Spring Hunting Retriever Test was held on May 22/23, 2021 and our August Hunting Retriever Test was held on August 14/15, 2021 at the Snoqualmie Retriever Training Grounds in Carnation, WA. We held a successful raffle in August. The money that was raised will go towards purchasing an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) for safety of our hunt test participants and guests.
The Annual Awards Banquet will be held in early February. It is the culmination of the hard work all members and their dogs have put in during the testing season. In addition to recognizing the accomplishments of dogs and their handlers, the club offers a fabulous banquet and auction/raffle.
Betsy got her first hunting dog in 2003, and in 2007 participated in her first hunt test. She has been "hooked" ever since. She has owned both retrieving and pointing dogs and enjoys upland bird hunting. In 2016 she completed her AKC Hunt Test Judge requirements for retrievers.
Doug has been an avid hunter since he was young. He began training for hunt tests 25 years ago, has qualified dogs at all levels and is an active AKC Hunt Test Judge. He is a long time member of RHRC and has held several positions on the board in addition to volunteering at Hunt Tests.
Jean has owned 7 labradors and has been involved with the hunt test game since the early 80's. She and her dogs have traveled across the country competing in AKC events. She loves watching dogs work in the field and the friendships she has formed with other admirers of great working dogs.
Sue has owned hunting labs since the early 90's. She got hooked on the hunt test sport after watching a training group. A long-time member of RHRC, Sue got her first Hunt Test dog in 2011 and hasn't looked back.