In this episode, I’m joined by professional dog trainer Emily Shirey of Horizon Retrievers. Emily brings a wealth of experience running retriever hunt tests with both her German Shorthaired Pointer and her Labrador Retriever. We dive into the Hunting Retriever Club (HRC) test structure, focusing on the Started and Seasoned levels, and break down how these tests work. Emily shares insights on what handlers can expect, how HRC compares to AKC retriever tests, and why the HRC community is such a welcoming space for newcomers. If you’ve ever wondered whether your pointing breed bird dog could participate in HRC hunt tests—the answer is yes, and this episode is for you.

You can follow Emily on Instagram at @horizonretrievers or @shorthairsandshotguns. Her website is horizonretrievers.com. 

For more information about HRC tests, visit hrc.dog. 

The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast is sponsored by OnX Hunt and Elevate Pet Provisions. We are part of the HerUpland Podcast Network.