Update 7:30 pm Callbacks to series 3 – 59 Dogs called back.

1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,12,13,15,16, 18,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,28,29,30,31,32, 33,34,35,36,37,38,39,40,41,42,43,44,45, 47,48,49,50,51,52,53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60, 61,62,63,64,65.

Dogs not back: 27, 46

Dog #65 starts series 3.  All competitors meet in the campground for caravan @ 7:00 am.  Series 3 is a water triple.

Update 2:30 pm – Series 2 is a land blind that runs across the line to the go-bird.  The mat has been moved about 10′ to the left of series 1 mat. The go-bird station remains out and does a dry-pop shot once the handler signals ready.  The blind is 232 yds and runs angled left across the field between a corridor of hay bales.

The wind has swung around and now blowing out of the west at 13-15 kmph (from the left side of the field), gusting to 26 kmph.  The sun has come out and the temperature has risen to 25 degrees, with humidity making it feel like 30 in the direct sun.

Test dog “Tex” and Dennis came to line 2:35 pm.  Tex needed a few whistles to navigate the hay bales, then got left along the tree line in the shadows.  He got deep, then whistled in to the bird.

Test dog “Tule” and Mark came to line at 2:41 pm. They had a whistle at the first group of bales, then Tule also wanted to go left.  Mark was quick on the whistle,but then she wanted to go right towards the old fall.  He caught her quickly and another whistle to the bird.   Dog to dog, the test is about 3:00 minutes.

Dog #53 Lexi and Jenny were up first at approximatley 3:00 pm.

Series 2 sponsor is Punisher Waterfowl – Thanks Damien!

Callbacks to series 2: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,12,13,15,16, 18,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30,31,32, 33,34,35,36,37,38,39,40,41,42,43,44,45,46, 47,48,49,50,51,52,53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60, 61,62,63,64,65.

Dogs not back: 14, 17, 19

Update 2:00 The last dog has run series 1.  Awaiting callbacks then right in to series 2, a land blind.
Day 1 Begins at the 2026 Canadian National Retriever Championship

Series 1 opens in Perth, Ontario, with tradition, thoughtful test design, and early performances from the test dogs.

Welcome to Day 1 of the 2026 Canadian National Retriever Championship in Perth, Ontario, where Series 1 opened on property owned by the Cordick Family. Handlers are settling in and dogs are seeing the grounds for the first time in competition. This year’s opener took shape in a beautiful cut hay field dotted with bales, creating a natural and visually interesting setting for the first test.

Morning Conditions

The day began under overcast skies with temperatures around 20°C and a light southwest wind. Forecast conditions called for a high of 24°C, variable skies, light winds up to 10 km/h, and a 30% chance of rain. For a retriever test, these conditions matter: wind direction can influence scenting, cloud cover can affect visibility, and field texture can shape how dogs carry their lines. Overall, the morning offered comfortable conditions for spectators and fair, workable conditions for the dogs.

A Traditional Start: Passing the Paddle

The morning opened with the traditional “Passing the Paddle,” an important symbol of continuity from one National to the next. The 2025 judging team—Marg Murray, Sean Colville, and Dennis Harwood—were on hand to pass the paddle to the 2026 judges: Dave Douglas, John MacDonald, and Chris Bayles. It was a fitting way to begin the Championship, connecting last year’s event with the work ahead for this year’s judges, handlers, and dogs.

Series 1 Test Setup

The opening test is a triple with one retired gun, with the mat oriented to the north. In a triple, the dog watches three birds fall and must remember each location before being sent to retrieve them. The retired gun adds another layer of difficulty because the gun station disappears from view after the bird is thrown, requiring the dog to rely on memory, marking ability, and direction from the handler. Judges also made thoughtful use of the hay bales throughout the setup, incorporating them into the marks, sightlines, and cover changes.

• Gun #1 — Long retired: 267 yards, thrown left to right as a drake mallard. The gunners retire behind a fully brushed-in blind around a hay bale.
• Gun #2 — Right bird: 133 yards, thrown right to left as a hen pheasant over a hay bale on a steep angle back. The gunners remain out.
• Gun #3 — Go-bird: 88 yards, thrown in front of a hay bale as a hen pheasant.

Test Dogs Set the Pace

Before the competitive dogs run, test dogs give judges, handlers, and spectators a first look at how the setup plays in real time. Their work helps show where the test may invite decisions, hunts, or handling, especially on a field with strong visual features like hay bales.

Test dog “Tex,” handled by Dennis Harwood, came to the line at 7:41 a.m. Tex did a good job on the go-bird and the right bird. On the long gun, he started up the field, veered left, and hunted the back corner before being handled to the long retired bird. His time for the test was just over four minutes.

Test dog “Tule,” handled by Mark Jemison, came to the line at 7:52 a.m. Tule handled the go-bird well, hunted short on the right, then quickly worked her way to the bird over the bale. She finished with a strong job on the long retired bird, completing the test in about three minutes.

Dog #40, Cici, handled by Doug Shepherd, was the first dog to run. Cici came to the line at 8:09 a.m., officially kicking off the 2026 National competition.

Sponsors and Hospitality

Series 1 is sponsored by NAFTCH FTCH AFTCH Razor’s Red River Rocket and Peter Dozois, the 2025 National Amateur title winner. Breakfast was provided by the Southern Comfort food truck and sponsored by English Line Vet — Al and Lou Moroz. Many thanks go to all National sponsors whose support helps make this year’s event possible.

Thank you to Judy Belanger Photography for doing the competitor portraits.