The Retriever group trains and participates in Hunt Tests and AKC Field Trials. The Retriever group consists mainly of Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers and Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. Other Retriever breeds include Flat Coat Retrievers, Curly Coated Retrievers, and Standard Poodles.

Retrievers that will be used in field work are bred for this work and responsible breeders will try to mate the best they have to make sure they produce a well rounded hard driving hunting companion. One breed where the breeding choices were particularly noticeable was the Golden Retriever that was very popular in the AKC Show ring and was being bred for winning attributes in the Show ring to the detriment of their field attributes. Only in recent years has the Golden Retriever shown a return to traits desirable in field work where responsible breeders that are selling pups for hunting companions and field trial work are using field tested stock. The first among sporting breeds in AKC registrations is the Labrador Retriever which come in colors of black, brown, and yellow is one of the most versatile of the sporting breeds. The Labrador is fast over land and water, a short double coat that repels water, and has an excellent sense of smell to find game in the toughest cover. The Labrador as the name might imply did not actually come from Labrador, but Newfoundland.

The Retriever group is determined to produce the best hunting companion they can through training during the summer on Wednesday evenings and Saturday afternoons. Our club is a member of the Master National Retriever Club and has had members compete at the national level. The Retriever group hosts an annual AKC Hunt Test for Retrievers and members participate in local AKC Field Trials, Hunts Tests, and NAHRA Hunt Tests sponsored by other local clubs. The AKC Retriever Hunt Test consists of a Master, Senior, and Junior title. Each dog is judged on established standards for each level and a ribbon is awarded for a qualifying score. The AKC Retriever Field Trials are a judged event where a dog competes against his peers and a placement of First, Second, and Third along with a JAM (Judges Award of Merit) is given as to his performance compared against the work of the other entrants. The Retriever group also participates in Fun Trials throughout the summer that provide a tune-up for the Hunt Tests and Field Trials. The club hosts an annual Pheasant Challenge for all breeds in a timed event with planted Pheasants that gives everyone a chance to show off their favorite breed. The club also sponsors Flushing Dog Fun Trials that are open to all flushing breeds.

The Missouri Headwaters Gun Dog Club Retriever group with the sponsorship of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever national organization sponsored their first AKC Licensed Hunt Test in Montana at Dailey Lake back in 1988 during the big fire in Yellowstone National Park. Back when the club was initially formed the majority of the members owned Retrievers, now the pendulum has swung over to the Pointer group as the majority membership.

If you own a Retriever and are looking for a great place to train and meet other like mined dog owners, please join the Missouri Headwaters Gun Dog Club and help get the Retriever group back into the majority!