The National Retriever Gundog Championship is an AKC approved club that focuses on the competition and promotion of the purebred retriever.  The events hosted by the NRGC fall under the Retriever Hunt Test rules and regulations of the American Kennel Club.

The NRGC was created to challenge handlers and their dogs to a highest standard of the AKC Master Hunter level.  With continuous improvement of breeding, training and talent of our retrievers, the NRGC provides the next step of recognition in the Master Hunter program. 

The NRGC will offer a National Qualifier and National Championship each year. 

Each Fall, the National Qualifier will challenge retrievers in a Pass/Fail event.  This event, Judged by AKC Hunt Test Judges, using AKC Hunt Test Standards will find retrievers competing against the AKC established standard for Master Tests, but due to the diversity allowed within that standard, the tests will be more difficult than what is typically found in a weekend hunt test.  Challenging marks, difficult blinds and utilizing the grounds in a way that will allow the best Master Hunters to show their skills in the field is the goal of this event.

The National Championship will allow those retrievers who passed the National Qualifier to compete against one another, in a format not offered in any other AKC Hunt Test event!  Qualifying dogs will compete under a panel of AKC Hunt Test Judges who will sort and place dogs in an event that will crown the first ever National Championship in the Hunt Test venue.   The National Championship will also use the established AKC Hunt Test rules and regulations of Master Hunter titled dogs.  In addition to a single National Champion, placements of dogs selected to finish the National event will be recognized. 

The goal is to establish a title program with the NRGC for both National Qualifiers and National Championship each year.  The NRGC is working through the process that will provide an AKC title for dogs.  This title program will take some time to establish as the NRGC will need to show the value of the events provided to the AKC.

We look forward to seeing this club and event develop in the future of retriever sports in the AKC.