Kinston officially going to the dogs

Nearly 200 retriever dogs, their trainers and owners will arrive in Kinston next weekend for a two-day American Kennel Club-sanctioned regional hunt test.

Dogs will come from the Downeast Hunting Retriever Club. Most owners are from the Kinston-New Bern-Jacksonville area, although a few will arrive from other states. Judges are expected to come from Ohio and Minnesota.

The event will begin at 8 a.m. March 18 and 19, and continue until all dogs are tested. Dennis Hatcher, who was instrumental in bringing the group to Kinston, said first-day testing could continue until dark. The second day, a Sunday, probably will end earlier, he said.

"This will be a learning experience for us," Kinston-Lenoir County Parks and Recreation Director Bill Ellis said. "We've never done this before. Fourteen states will be represented."

A similar event sanctioned by the UKC-HRC will be held in May.

The AKC and UKC events bring another variety of sports into a city that is gaining wide recognition as a host city for sport and recreational events.

"We're excited about that," Ellis said. "They've been holding their tests in the country, but this is the first time they've had a facility that's close to motels, restaurant and gas stations."

The tests, which will be open for residents to observe, will feature fine pedigreed dogs. Hatcher said good Labrador retriever puppies can command prices as high as $1,000. High quality golden retriever puppies can cost as much as $2,200. Breeders will issue warranties on the dog's health, with a money-back refund if hip trouble or other problems develop, he said.

Three dog classes will be tested: Juniors, Seniors and Masters. Masters are the highest level the hunt dogs can achieve in these events.

"Each day is a separate test," Hatcher said. "The Masters take two days to do their test. They have to do a lot more than other two groups. We're looking at 125 dogs running each day."


While the event will be open to public, organizers ask that guests wear dark clothing.

"The dogs, especially in Senior and Master class, some are being trained for field trials," Hatcher said. "The guys wear white so the dogs can see them. If a dog is on return on a retrieve, it's liable to go sit in his lap if a spectator is wearing light clothing."

Judges require onlookers to maintain silence during the tests, which means it might not be an appropriate event for young children to attend.

The first day will begin at the Neuseway Park Nature Center, where Junior Class dogs will test near the first pond on the right side of the road entering the park. Hatcher expects Senior Class dogs to be on the backside of the second pond, also on the right side of the road. Master Class dogs will be at the former landfill site at the end of Davis Street. The schedule will be similar for the second day.

Duck Hunting Ltd. of Greensboro will hold its state tournament in Kinston in October, Ellis said. Between 500 and 600 dogs are expected to arrive for that event.

"We're in the dog business now," Ellis said.