Chuck McCall on his dog Dakota.

The first hunt test I attended was in february of 1994 to watch my dad's dog, HR Bob-n-Gayle's Hustlin' Hutch, run his first finished test. When I saw the work that these dogs were capable of doing, I was hooked. I knew the puppy that would be born that same week would be competing in these tests. Later that month I received my first HRC magazine with write-ups of Grand Hunting Retriever Champions, and right then I set my goal with that five and a half week old pup. A Grand Hunting Retriever Champion. Only now, looking back over the past six years, did I realize how far-fetched that goal was.

We took Dakota home at just over five weeks of age. From the day we brought him home, he loved to retrieve. We started with a sock in the hallway, and he retrieved his first dead dove at six weeks. I was obsessed with this pup and was more determined than ever to reach my goal. We passed our Started tests at six months, and we met some wonderful people along the way. Everyone in this tremendous organization of ours was always more than willing to help with any problem we may have come across.

After we got our HR, I was concerned that we may have problems in the Finished category. You see, Dakota did not really understand what a stop whistle meant. We made it through Seasoned by lining blinds and steeping on marks. Unfortunately, I knew I would need a lot more control to make it to the next level. I purchased an electronic collar and read everything I could and asked questions because I was afraid of ruining what was already an excellent dog. After Dakota passed his first Finished test, I spoke with Barry Lyons and he mentioned a seminar he would be doing later that summer. I learned more in one weekend with Barry and Becky than I had learned in all the books I had read put together.

Dakota and I were back to basics. After two months of going all the way back to force fetch, pile work, the double T, pattern blinds, marks, marks and more marks, we were ready. We passed eight straight Finished tests. It was a thrill to know that I had total control of this marking machine that went to my side, Finished test after Finished test.

After going back to Barry and Becky's advanced seminar, I knew we were ready for the Grand. At our first Grand we went out in the third series, but I was more convinced then ever that we would reach our goal. After a grueling month of pre-Grand training in the heat of June with John Contois and his dog Bear, I was extremely confident as we made the trip north to Canada for the spring Grand. John and Bear came back with their Grand Title, and while we didn't pass, I was again convinced I had the dog to compete with the best.

My pre-Grand training for the Fall Grand was just as grueling, but a little cooler. Andy Simon and I trained hard, and finally, the hard work paid off. Dakota got his first Grand pass at Rend Lake in fall 1998. We left Illinois on cloud nine, but I knew the next Grand pass would not be an easy one.

Three disappointing Grands followed. I was beginning to wonder if we would get that elusive second pass. Preparing for the 2000 Fall Grand at Rend Lake, I decided to try something a little different. I knew I had the dog that was capable of doing the work. My mission was to make sure he peaked at the right time. We eliminated all drill work for a month prior to the Grand. Dakota had always been an excellent handling dog, and I knew he would handle for me. I had to make sure his marking was sharp in order to achieve our goal.

After a handle on the middle mark in the first series, Dakota was absolutely flawless the rest of the way. He ran a perfect second and third series quad, and his blind work was excellent as usual. In the fifth series, Dakota was in hot pursuit of a running chukar. When it finally flushed, and he sat to the flush, I knew we had reached our goal.

A grand Hunting Retriever Champion has never been achieved by one person alone. I owe a tremendous amount of gratitude to my local club, Amite River, and all the wonderful people of HRC. There are three people that I owe a special thank you.

Scott Arceneaux was there anytime I needed training equipment. He let me borrow his wingers, his dog box, his training grounds, and his advice. He also allowed me to run his fine dog, HRCH Drake, providing me with the all-important experience at the line that you need at the Grand level.

Ron Anderson has been my main training partner for the past two years. We think alike and believe in the same training philosophy. He also allowed me to handle his fine dog, HRCH Ron's Maddie Girl, to her first Grand pass. See you in Texas, Ron, as you go for her title.

My Dad, Bob McCall, has been my number one support person. It was his dog, Hutch, that got me started in this game. Before we had dogs he was my best friend. Now that we have gone overboard with these dogs, we remain best friends; and there is no way Dakota and I could have achieved what we have without his support, encouragement and help.

This journey to the Grand with that five and a half week old pup of long ago has been filled with wonderful memories, and I am honored that Dakota allowed me along for the ride.