About Western Colorado Hunt Retriever Club - Board Members

I purchased my first Labrador in 1972 and have always had one or two retrievers at my side.  I joined the club in 2007 to improve my dogs' retrieving skills and learn how to be a better handler.  Since joining the club my dogs and I have participated in around 100 events.  I'm also a HRC hunt test judge. Being an active member of the club and participating in hunt tests will help you and your dog be a better team.  In addition, you will make new friends and have fun working with your dog.  The hunt test game can be an addictive pastime so be prepared to get hooked.

I am retired from the los Angeles County Fire Department.  I was instrumental in starting their Canine Search program.  As a Search Manger for our FEMA Task Force I had the responsibility to manage search operation which included the canine teams. 

I have had golden retrievers for nearly 50 years.  I have shown them, obedience trials, trained disaster search dogs for live find and now HRC trials. I have enjoyed training and have seen huge steps in training over that time period.  Answers for training were hard to find but with the advent of the internet it has made much easier to train your dog.  

I have two Flatcoated Retrievers, both Liver boys. Nelson was born September 2017 and Rondo in September 2020. These boys are totally different and require adaptability in training to get the desired results. The Western Colorado Hunting Retriever Club,the friends and mentors I have been fortunate to know have made success in the Hunt Test world possible for me. I look forward to working with our membership to make being a part of our Club fun and productive. Call or email me anytime 970-216-zero five six seven –chipbrazelton1950 (gmail.com)

 After a lifetime of owning pet dogs, I was introduced to the hunt test world in 2011. Hooked from the start with my young chessie, I learned everything the hard way at first and had a lot of fun making mistakes. Friendly people from the local retriever clubs put me on the path to better training methods and a higher pass rate at the tests. The dogs enjoyed the process so much that my husband and I began to take them hunting. These days we hunt test together because we enjoy the challenge and the camaraderie, and yes, it’s still because the dogs love it. My current puppy is my 4th Chesapeake: the first 3 each became HRCH/MH dogs and I hope to take her down the same path. It’s an honor and a pleasure to give back a little by participating on the board of the Western Colorado Hunting Retriever Club. 

Hello Since you already know my name, let me tell you a little about myself. I am a displaced Cajun from South Louisiana living and loving it in Paonia, Colorado. My wife, Kathy, is not a hunter, but over the last 25+ years has become accustomed to seeing dead birds of varying species when she opens the freezer. Like most everyone who train and compete with their dogs, I started in humbling beginnings - not knowing what I didn't know. I grew up with black labs guiding "Sports" for school money. Back then, when I thought my dogs were “trained to hunt,” it meant hollering and swinging arms like a maniac to get the dog to the area and let him do his thing. In 1998, I stated to learned how to formally train retrievers and never looked back. Needless to say I have learned the difference between a hunter and a retriever. I truly love these dogs and this sport. I am always amazed by their capability with unconditional love for their partners and obsession to please. This is an awesome journey and I encourage everyone who loves working with a retriever, to embrace it.

Happy training,