Resources and Links

Equipment

Wick Outdoor Works (WOW)
In addition to having some terrific outdoor clothing not available anywhere else, this small catalog company is absolutely reputable and a great pleasure to deal with. Founded by coonhunters (who walk great distances through briars and swamps in the dark) they feature well-designed, briarproof, water-resistant clothing, the incomparable Wick Froglegs for staying dry in thigh-deep water, LaCrosse boots, and Tri-Tronics collars. There is nothing in their catalog which is not top quality (unlike most catalog outfits which will shamelessly promote the latest electronic gizmo, given an incentive), and they spell out the pros and cons of the different models. To request a catalog, call 1 (800) 325-2112.

Shotgun Sports Resource Guide
This well-designed website strives to be an excellent resource for anyone looking for any shotgunning-related equipment, training, courses, etc. They have recently added a Gun Dog Guide with (free) breeder and trainer listings and maintain several talk groups, including one on gun dogs.

Dog-related information

Working Retriever Central!
As its name suggests, lots of information and links related to working (not show) retrievers. News (mostly about field trials and hunting tests), a library, free classified ads listing (for puppies, dogs, trainers, equipment, etc.), calendars of events for AKC, UKC, and NAHRA, and links to many retriever-related sites. Oak Hill Kennel supports Working Retriever Central! as a WRC! Partner.

SCAN: State Canine Awareness Network
"SCAN is a national network of dog owners and dog organizations dedicated to the fundamental right to own dogs" (SCAN-UKC web page). The Network "scans" the media for evidence of proposed breed-specific and anti-dog-ownership legislation, and provides assistance to groups organizing to oppose such restrictions. While anger is sometimes apparent, their newsletter is very well-done and informative--and all of us who participate in hunting, dog sports, or dog ownership should be aware of the encroachments of the "anti's." If you do not know the difference between animal welfare and animal rights (or the real agenda of the HSUS), find out before you donate money to an organization that wants to deny you the opportunity to own a dog. Better yet, actively participate in efforts to preserve our right to own dogs of our choice.

American Kennel Club
Where to go for event schedules and information, to order AKC publications or rules for AKC events, to get information and forms for registering puppies, the Breeder Referral Service, and anything else organized or licensed by the American Kennel Club.

United Kennel Club
The nation's second largest dog registry, UKC has a very different flavor from AKC. In particular it is much more oriented to working-dog events. It also sponsors and coordinates SCAN (see above) in defense of dog ownership. Another UKC project is the promotion of DNA testing to maintain the integrity of pedigrees.

Publications

Retriever Field Trial News
Most people buy this for the advertising. The main content of this "tabloid" format monthly is results of AKC retriever field trials and hunting tests, reports on US and Canadian National competitions, and, twice a year, dates of events and the addresses and phone numbers (not available from AKC) of event secretaries. Most of the competitive professional trainers and many breeders with excellent stock advertise in RFTN, so it is a good source if you are looking for a trainer or a puppy. There are good equipment sources, too. The Jan and Feb/Mar issues are of interest to anyone trying to learn about bloodlines, as dogs' records are given along with names of sire and dam. To order, call (414) 481-2760.

The Retriever Journal
The best magazine devoted to working retrievers, this bimonthly includes articles on hunting, training, health care, breeding, a "fault forum," various types of events, and some good dog stories. Advertising is not as extensive as in RFTN, but they are growing rapidly.

Our Favorite Conservation Organizations

Ducks Unlimited
Dues, member donations, and fundraisers provide resources for DU to preserve and restore habitat in duck and goose breeding grounds, along flyways, and in wintering areas. They support studies of factors that affect waterfowl populations, and publish a highly informative magazine. Basically a hunters' organization, DU promotes hunting as an aspect of waterfowl management.

The Nature Conservancy
This outstandingly effective organization saves wetlands and other land critical to wildlife survival by buying it, negotiating conservation easements, etc. They sponsor studies of how wildlife utilize habitats in order to choose most effectively what lands they will purchase or swap. Their magazine is fascinating if you are interested in the interactions of wild species with each other, with the natural habitat, and with human impact. Not a hunting organization, their work nevertheless benefits game as well as non-game species.

Miscellaneous

BirdHunters Home
An extensive collection of links of interest to the bird hunter and retriever (or bird dog) owner, including training supplies, sources for game birds, hunting regulations, seasons, and bag limits.