News & Announcements

In Memory of Jerry Horvath

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Jerry Horvath on March 22, 2025.  Jerry and his wife Brenda had been members of the Niagara Peninsula Retriever Club.  Our sincerest condolences go out to Jerry's family.

Ron & Judy Riva

Minutes from the January 26, 2025 Annual Members’ Meeting

The National Retriever Club of Canada's Annual Members' Meeting took place on January 26, 2025. Draft minutes from the meeting are available on the NRCC website under Club Business.

If you have any questions, please contact a member of the Executive or a Regional Director.

Click Here:  Annual Members' Meeting Minutes

AMM Follow Up

January 28, 2025

Dear Member Clubs,

Thank you to all delegates and guests for attending the recent Annual Members’ Meeting, where 35 of 37 voting clubs were represented. Your participation is vital for our sport's success.

As we approach the 75th Anniversary of the National Retriever Club of Canada in 2025, we celebrate this significant milestone, largely due to the dedication of our volunteers and host clubs. We invite you to join us in recognizing this legacy at the 75th National in Manitoba and to celebrate Manitoba Gun Dog’s 90th anniversary.  We hope you plan to attend!

The meeting minutes will be available soon. In the meantime, here’s a brief update from the Executive Committee:

What is the NRCC?  To answer this, I’ll start by clarifying what it isn’t: it isn’t the CKC, Canuck Dogs, or the CKC Field Trial Rules Committee.  It isn’t a source of training information, the place to file complaints about weekend trial judges, trial procedures, or where to train.

Quite simply, the NRCC and the Board of Directors further the sport of Retriever Field Trials by providing guidance and advice to National hosting Clubs.  It is the governing body that oversees the Annual Championship Stake.  We approve and authorize the location and host club, the Chief Marshal, and the Judges for the event.  In addition, we provide a communication service and identify and secure corporate Sponsors.

Currently, there are 226 members in the Canadian Field Trial community, and our board structure, using a formula from the 1960s, needs reconsideration to improve representation and effectiveness. Comparisons with the US NRC show a small board of 4 directors is successful.  We are not suggesting this model, however, they have many policies and procedures that are worth considering.  Research shows that large not-for-profit organizations tend to be most successful when they have between 8 and 12 Directors.

The review considers the organization’s operational goals and mission, as well as the expertise required for board members to improve NRCC effectiveness.  It will ensure diverse perspectives and adequate representation from the various geographic areas are covered along with equal Eastern and Western representation.

The board will review proposed options in February with a goal to complete the review by May. We will hold forums for member feedback and call for a Special Members Meeting in early summer.

We seek your constructive input: “If you were creating the National Retriever Club of Canada today, how would it be structured?” Please consider this question seriously.

In closing, the poll results regarding the motion to amend the term of directors to one year and to defer filling vacant positions received overwhelming support, with 94% of you approving the motion. This strong level of support we believe showcases your involvement and commitment. Thank you.

Regards,

Doug

Doug Shepherd, President NRCC

Remembering Albert Gatrell

With great sadness we say goodbye to Albert Gatrell. Our sincerest condolences to Kathleen and family.

A celebration of life will be held January 10th from 1-4 at the Guelph Country Club, 133 Woodlawn Road East, Guelph

Fall 2024 Newsletter

Have you read the Fall 2024 Newsletter yet?

Inside this edition is the stories from the new Canadian National and Canadian National Amateur Field Trial Champion winners, get an update on what the NRCC board of directors has been doing, and celebrate the top dogs of 2024.

Click here to read more...

Congratulations to those who titled in 2024!

As we wrap up the 2024 field trial season, there is much to celebrate.  Whereas a National title is the pinnacle, it's the weekend trial title that takes us there.  Congratulations to the dogs, handlers, and owners who earned titles in 2024!

Click here to view the titled dogs and the archived field trial results for 2024.

2024 National Retriever Championship Running Order

The Running Order for the 2024 National Retriever Championship has been posted.

View it on the NRCC Running Order & Call Backs web page.

The starting dog will be determined by draw at the banquet on Saturday, September 14th.

Good luck everyone!

150 Dogs Qualified for the National!

We hit the benchmark of 150 dogs qualified for the National Retriever Championship in North Bay, ON Sept 15-21!

Are you qualified?  Are you going?  Get your entry in and here's what you need to know or go to the 2024 National page on the website for full details.

What you need to know:

• Entries close 6:00pm PDT Monday, September 2, 2024
• Please fill in entry form online (above) or use link:  https://nrcc-canada.ca/2024-premium/
• Banquet is on Saturday, September 14. Tickets are to be purchased in advance with your entry by Sept 2.
• Workers’ Party on Wednesday, September 18 is free to everyone.
• Entrants will receive a black handler jacket for each dog entered. Please select your jacket size with your entry form. Jacket sizes will be on a first come first served basis.
• Vet Check will take place from 2:00pm-3:00pm Saturday, September 14 at headquarters.
• An information book is available on the 2024 National page to help you plan your stay.
• Questions? Contact:
  • Chairperson, Hubert Shank Hubert.shank1959@gmail.com 705-752-5783
  • Field Trial Secretary-Event information & banquet, Mimi Burton momma_burton@hotmail.com 705-492-932
  • Inquiries regarding entries, Hope Roberts admin@nrcc-canada.com 250-216-6359
  • Grounds & RV parking – Jim Andrew 705-498-0183, Hospitality – Sheila Andrew sheilajima@yahoo.ca

Good luck and see you there!