Rhode Island Bird Dog Seminar

BIRDDOG SEMINAR

 AND FAMILY

 FUN DAY

AT ADDIEVILLE EAST

 FARM

 If you're a novice birddog owner, or if you have a birddog and you've never seen him point a bird, German Shorthaired Pointer Rescue of New England is teaming up with Purina Pro Plan to hold a birddog seminar and family fun day on Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Addieville East Farm, a shooting preserve, at  200 Pheasant Drive, in Mapleville, R.I.

The event -- to be held rain or shine -- is geared toward the novice owner who's interested in field trialing or hunting upland game birds over dogs and wants to know how to get started. It's also for those folks who have a birddog and wonder if he can point a bird. And it's for kids.

GSP Rescue NE, a non-profit group that rescues, rehabilitates and rehomes German shorthaired, wirehaired and English pointers, is one of the few rescue groups willing to place dogs in hunting homes. It's also a group that's conscious of the fact that interest in hunting and field trialing is on the wane, and hopes that with the involvement of children, we can boost interest levels in a sport we all enjoy.

Starting at 10 a.m., professional dog trainers Dave Marshall and Sarah Conyngham, of Centerville Farm and Kennel in Hope Valley, RI, will present the seminar on birddogs and training methods, which will also include a short  hunter safety program. Other professional dog trainers on hand will include Addieville's Brian Hays and Richard Giuliano of Richfield Kennels in Coventry, RI. Following that, dogs will be worked on checkcords on quail to test their scenting ability. 

At noon, we'll serve lunch (hamburgers and hotdogs -- you supply your favorite non-alcoholic beverage!), followed by more dog testing, and fishing for the kids at Addieville's beautiful trout pond. (We'll supply the fishing poles.)

We'll also have contests for Spottiest GSP, Dog with Longest Ears, Dog with Longest Tail, Biggest/Smallest Fish Caught and Farthest Cast!

Requirements for the dogs are that they must be non-aggressive and all must be leashed. If you're coming from outside of Rhode Island, bring your dog's current rabies certificate. 

Cost is $10 per person, $25 per family. Reservations must be made by Saturday, April 20. Payment can be made by Paypal [use the "Donate" button on GSP Rescue New England's home page] or by mailing a check payable to GSP Rescue NE, PO Box 5731, Wakefield, RI 02880. Please note how many people and dogs will be attending.

For more information, email jang815@gmail.com