Northeast Washington Bird Dog CLub

The Northeast Washington Gun Dog Club (NEWGDC) was founded in 2008 to support members in training their own gun dogs. We're an organization of bird dog enthusiasts who believe that one of the most cherished relationships is between a person and his or her dog. We further believe that hunting is an American Heritage to be enjoyed as much by our grandchildren as by our grandparents. The NEWGDC is for any bird dog enthusiast. We welcome pointer, flusher and retriever owners alike, as well as individuals who share our interests and values, but may not own a dog at the present time.

We are of the firm belief that the use of a "trained" hunting dog conserves game by bringing all downed game to the hunter's bag. We understand the importance of habitat and therefore are involved in conservation efforts such as building, distributing and maintaining bird feeders and planting habitat for all wildlife populations.

Membership is comprised of people who own pointing and/or retrieving breeds. Many of our members also participate in the following organizations: HRC Hunt Tests, NAHRA Field Tests, AKC Hunt Tests, APLA (Pointing Lab) Tests, AKC Field Trials, Canadian Kennel Club, American Kennel Club, National Shoot to Retrieve Association, Delta Waterfowl, Ducks Unlimited, National Bird Dog Challenge and Pheasants Forever.

We Invite You To Join Us. You can download a membership application. Just fill out the form and mail it in with a check enclosed. The mailing address is on the application.

Activities

Please see the Events pages for information concerning upcoming events. 

TRAINING DAYS: NEWGDC typically sponsors a number of training days each year to help gun dog owners work with their dogs in an informal setting. These fun and relaxed events are offered by the club for a nominal fee. The club provides support equipment and participants alternate between running their own dogs, and supporting other handlers when they run theirs.

PICNIC (or Fun) TESTS: These events are designed to help handlers and their dogs prepare for the Licensed Tests as well as Hunting. The NEWGDC generally sponsors two or more "picnic" or tests each year. These are fun, relaxed events designed to simulate the experience of more formal hunting tests. They're a great learning experience for both dogs and handlers.

HUNT TESTS (HRC & AKC): Each year the NEWGDC hosts two or more Hunt Tests. In these tests, the dogs DO NOT compete against one another (unlike a Field Trial), but are judged against a written standard on a Pass/Fail basis. There are three levels of difficulty in these Tests, from the Started or Junior Level. The Seasoned or Senior Level and the Finished or Master Level.

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. In 2008, Evan Graham (author of "Smartwork") gave a two day seminar and this year, Julie Knutson will give a Pointing Labrador Seminar.

Training and Test Grounds: NEWGDC has our Training/Test Grounds at the beauiful Burlington Ranch in Chewelah Washington (just 50 miles north of Spokane).