Field Tested & Hunter Approved
Links & Resources
PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS A HOBBY LABRADOR RETRIEVER/ETHUSIAST WEBSITE. IT IS NOT A BUSINESS. IT IS TO HIGHLIGHT OUR PERSONAL LABRADOR RETRIEVERS AND TO HELP EDUCATE POTENTIAL PUPPY BUYERS ABOUT THE BREED.
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Local & National Labrador Clubs
National All-Breed Clubs
Labrador Publications
Puppy Rearing & Socialization
Puppy Training & Socialization Books
- The Art of Puppy Raising by The Monks of New Skeet
- How to Raise a Puppy You Can Live With by Rutherford & Neil
- The Complete Dog Book for Kids by AKC.org
- Good Owners, Great Dogs by Brian Kilcommons & Sarah Wilson
- Another Piece of the Puzzle: Puppy Development & Socialization
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Decoding Your Dog: Explaining Common Dog Behaviors and How to Prevent or Change Unwanted Ones by American College Of Veterinary Behaviorists & Debra F. Horowitz
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How to Behave So Your Dog Behaves by Yin DVM MS, Dr. Sophia
- Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know by Alexandra Horowitz
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The Genius of Dogs: How Dogs Are Smarter Than You by Brian Hare & Vanessa Woods
Puppy Training & Socialization Links
Risks of Early Spay/Neuter
- Early Spay Neuter: 3 Reasons To Reconsider
- Health Implications in Early Spay and Neuter in Dogs
- Early Spay/Neuter
- Long-Term Health Risks and Benefits Associated with Spay/Neuter in Dogs
- Early Spay-Neuter Considerations for the Canine Athlete: One Veterinarian’s Opinion
- Recent Research Raises Concerns Regarding Early Spaying/Neutering
- IAABC Journal: Spay-Neuter Affects on Orthopedic Disease, Behavior & General Health
About the Labrador Retriever Breed
Labrador Breed Standards & Info
- AKC Breed Standard
- LRC, Inc. Illustrated Standard
- CKC Breed Standard
- FCI Breed Standard
- What is a Labrador Retriever? (video)
- Judging Labrador Dogs (video)
- Mary Roslyn Williams – Complete Speech 1986 (video)
- The Origin and Purpose of the Labrador Retriever by Dr. B.W. Ziessow
- Conformation Requirements: Working vs. Show Dogs by Dr. B.W. Ziessow
- Labrador Retriever Coat Color Inheritance
- Richard Edwards (Lasgarn) Presentation on Labrador History at the Swedish Labrador Retriever Club Jubilee 2017 (video)
Misc. Breed Articles
Recommended Reading – About Labradors
Books on The Labrador Retriever
- The Official Book of the Labrador Retriever (1995) by Dr. Bernard W. Ziessow, Editor
- All About the Labrador (1980) by Mary Roslin-Williams
- The Dual-Purpose Labrador (1969) by Mary Roslin-Williams
- Reaching for the Stars (formerly Advanced Labrador Breeding) (2000) by Mary Roslin-Williams
- The Versatile Labrador Retriever (2004) by Nancy Martin
- Legends in Labradors (1980) by Nancy Martin
- The New Complete Labrador Retriever (1986) by Helen Warwick
- This is the Labrador Retriever (1972) by Dorothy Howe
- The Labrador Retriever (1980) by Dorothy Howe
- Labrador Retrievers Today (1993) by Carole Coode
- The Labrador Retriever: The Dog That Does it All (1998) by Lisa Weiss and Emily Biegel
- The Ultimate Labrador Retriever (2003) by Heather Wiles-Fone, Editor
- Everyone’s Dog: A Pictorial Guide to The Labrador Retriever (2000) by Marion Hopkinson
- The Labrador Retriever: The History…the People…Revisited (1992) by Richard Wolters
- In Praise of Labs: Celebrating the World’s Greatest Dog (2007) by James Herriot and Gary Paulsen
Books on Breed Type, Canine Structure, Showing, etc.
- Solving the Mysteries of Breed Type (2008) by Richard Beauchamp
- An Eye For a Dog: Illustrated Guide to Judging Purebred Dogs (2004) by Robert W. Cole
- K-9 Structure & Terminology (2016) by Edward, Jr. Gilbert (Author), Thelma Brown (Author)
- Canine Terminology (Dogwise Classics) (2002) by Harold R. Spira
- Dogsteps A New Look (2014) by Rachel Page Elliott
- Structure in Action: The Makings of a Durable Dog (2011) by Pat Hastings (Author, Editor), Wendy E Wallace DVM cVA (Author), Erin Rouse (Author)
- Tricks of the Trade: From Best Intentions to Best in Show, Revised Edition (2005) by Pat Hastings (Author) and Erin Rouse (Contributor)
- The Puppy Puzzle by Pat Hastings (book & video)
- The Winning Edge: Show Ring Secrets (1992) by George Alston
- New Secrets of Successful Show Dog Handling (2002) by Peter Green and Mario Migliorini
- The Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Showing Your Dog (2001) by Cheryl S. Smith
- Show Me! A Dog Show Primer by D. Caroline Coile
Field Information & Retriever Clubs
How to Get Started in Field Events
These articles are posted on the Golden Retriever Club of America web site, but are equally applicable to Labradors, and are a wealth of information:
- It’s Magic! Picking the Perfect Hunting/Field Puppy
- Basic Retriever Training Equipment (Glenda Brown)
- Just Starting Out? Tips for Getting Started In the Field (Kathryn Newman)
- Ponds and Parks: An Introduction to Field Training (Laurie Collins)
- Obedience – A Basis for Success in the Field (Ann Strathern)
- How to be a Welcome Member of a Training Group (Glenda Brown)
- Pro Field Trainers – Finding Mr. or Ms. Right (Glenda Brown)
- Selecting a Field Trainer (Kathryn Newman)
- Tips to Become a Better Handler While Training (Dennis Voigt)
- Why I Hunt My Performance Goldens (John Robinson)
Like anything else, one gets out of field training and related events what they put into it. Due to the nature of the sport, it often requires driving a distance, depending on where various clubs and training groups are located. It may also involve significant time commitments, depending on the level and ability of the dog, and the interest one has in pursuing titles or competition at higher levels. In addition to PSLRA, which is more of an “All-Around” Club, some local clubs are devoted to the working Retriever. Most hold training days and sponsor field events.
Articles on Field Training
Misc. Field Links & DVD’s
- Working Retriever Central
- Retriever Training Forum
- The Story of the Hunting Retriever Club – Omar Driskill (video)
- Sound Beginnings by Jackie Mertens (video)
- Dog’s Are Problem Solvers by Connie Cleveland (video)
- Training a Retriever Puppy by Bill Hillmann (video)
- The Fetch Command by Bill Hillmann (video)
- The Fetch Command by Bill Hillmann (video)
- Advanced Retriever Training by Bill Hillmann (on-line)
- Training Retrievers Alone by Dennis Voigt (video)
- Dennis Voigt’s Retrievers On Line Newsletter
- Total Retriever Training Series by Mike Lardy
- Art and Science of Handling by Dave Rorem
Parent Retriever Clubs
- Master National Retriever Club (web) & Facebook (AKC)
- Master Amateur Retriever Club (AKC)
- Canadian National Master (web) & Facebook (CKC)
- Hunting Retriever Club (HRC/UKC)
- North American Hunting Retriever Association (NAHRA)
Official Rules & Regulations
- Regulations and Guidelines for AKC Hunting Tests for Retrievers
- CKC Hunt Test Rules and Regulations for Retrievers, Barbet, Irish Water Spaniels and Standard Poodles
- Official UKC/HRC Rulebook for Hunting Retriever Tests
Northwest & Canadian Retriever Clubs
Most of these clubs hold training days and sponsor field events.
- Rainier Hunting Retriever Club
- Whistling Wings HRC
- Puget Sound Retriever Club (web) & Facebook
- Newaukum River Retriever Club (Facebook)
- Cascade HRC (web) & Facebook
- Washington Retriever Club (Facebook)
- Lower Columbia Hunting Retriever Club (Facebook Page)
- Sand and Sage Hunting Retriever Club (web) & Facebook (Eastern WA)
- Northeast Washington Gun Dog Club (Eastern WA)
- Spokane Bird Dog Association (Eastern WA)
- Oregon Hunting Retriever Club (web) & Facebook (North Oregon)
- The Greater Pacific Northwest Retriever Trial Club (Salem, Oregon)
- Salem Retriever Trial Club (Facebook) (Salem, Oregon)
- Green Valley Hunting and Retriever Club (Junction City/Eugene, Oregon)
- Umpqua Valley Retriever Club (web) & Facebook Southern Oregon)
- Fraser Valley Retriever Training Club (British Columbia)
- British Columbia Labrador Retriever Club (British Columbia)
- Pacific Rim Hunting Retriever Club (British Columbia)
- Vancouver Island Retriever Club (British Columbia)
- Upper Island Retriever Club (British Columbia)
- Kamloops Gun Dog Club (British Columbia)
- Salt Chuck Hunting Retriever Club (British Columbia)
Entry Services for Field Events:
- Entry Express (AKC, some HRC)
- Hunt Secretary (HRC, some AKC, NAHRA)
- BC Retriever News (CKC – Schedules and Premiums for B.C. Events)
- Official CKC Hunt Test Entry Form
Conformation & Dog Shows
Links for Getting Started in Dog Shows
- A Beginner’s Guide to Dog Shows (AKC)
- Getting Started Showing Your Dog (AKC)
- AKC Code of Sportsmanship
- New Exhibitor Orientation (Jack Onofrio)
- So You Think You Want A Show Dog – Here’s 9 Things You Should Know
- 10 Tips for Showing Your Dog
- Training for Conformation – Stacking
- AKC Point Schedule (WA and OR Are in Division 8; Updated every May)
Entry Services for Conformation, Obedience & Rally
AKC
Entry Services for Conformation, Obedience & Rally (Cont.)
CKC
UKC
- United Kennel Club Upcoming Conformation Events (UKC website with links to Event Secretaries)
IABCA
- International All Breed Canine Association (IABCA website with info on events)
Agility Clubs & Organizations
For most agility events there are two organizations involved – a club that actually organizes the event (such as PSLRA), and a “sanctioning” organization. The sanctioning organization (such as the AKC) sets the rules, maintains competition records and issues titles or certificates when certain goals are met. As the rules and regulations vary depending on the sanctioning organization, it is best to review the rules and regulations prior to competing in each venue. There may also be registration requirements to compete in a certain venue.
- American Kennel Club (AKC)
- United States Dog Agility Association (USDAA)
- North American Dog Agility Council (NADAC)
- Canine Performance Events (CPE)
- Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA)
- United Kennel Club (UKC)
- Dogs on Course in North America (DOCNA)
- Canadian Kennel Club (CKC)
- Agility Association of Canada (AAC)
Local Agility Entry Services
- Robin Cohen/R2Agility (AKC)
- Lori Sage/K-9 Sports (AKC, USDAA)
Local Agility Clubs
Description of Agility Obstacles
- Agility Obstacles (AKC)
- Agility Obstacles (Pet Experts Dog Training)
Misc.
- Your First Agility Trial (Courtesy of Active Dog Sports Training)
- Reading an Agility Course Map
- Agility Course Maps (Site where agility competitors can upload agility course maps, as well as browse maps uploaded by others).
- Glossary of Dog Agility Terms
- History of Agility, Part 1 (Clean Run)
- History of Agility, Part 2 (Clean Run)
- History of Agility, Part 3 (Clean Run)
Tracking Resources & Articles
The AKC offers a variety of resources to assist those interested in tracking, whether you are new to the sport or wish to hold a tracking test. Contact AKC Customer Service at 919-233-9767 or Orderdesk@akc.org to inquire about the following resources:
“Getting Started in Obedience, Agility, Tracking and CGC” – Informative brochure, which outlines the basics of getting started in AKC Companion Events.
- AKC Tracking Test Regulations
- CKC Tracking Test Regulations
- History of Tracking Event (AKC)
- Getting Started in Tracking Events (AKC)
- Canine Sports: Tracking by Terry Long
- Scent Tracking With Your Dog by Julia Kamysz Lane
- What is Tracking? (Hudson Valley Tracking Club)
- Getting Started (Hudson Valley Tracking Club)
- Tracking FAQs (Tidewater Tracking Club of Virginia)
Information & Resources
