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The Best in The Nation
Written By: Jenny King | Issue: 2018/08 - August
What comes to mind when you think about Labrador Retrievers?
They’re smart, they’re friendly, and they’re loyal, right? But did you know they were developed as the breed we know today by English aristocrats in the 1800s who were passionate about shooting game birds?
Like all retriever breeds, the lab’s original role was that of a working gun dog.
Jill Finch of Cashiers and Texas understands what labs need to be happy. They need to have purpose, they need plenty of exercise, and lots of direction. Currently, Finch owns eight labs that are in training for the AKC Retriever Field Trials.
Retriever Field Trials measure how well they can retrieve in the field and dogs are judged in comparison to other dogs. Judges look at the dog’s natural abilities such as marking a fall, memory, intelligence, attention, style, courage, and perseverance. In the Purina High Point Derby, points are assigned and the dog with the most career points is awarded the Charles Morgan Memorial Trophy by Retriever News.
Winner of the 2017 High Point Derby was Finch’s own dog, Larry. First of all, Larry is a female. Secondly, her AKC name is She Was Perfect Thursday. Finch explains the name, “You train and train all week and head to the trials where your dog may not perform as you wish. But someone no doubt says, ‘But she was perfect Thursday’ (or Monday, or Tuesday).”
Larry is three years old and has since aged out of the Derby, but was the top dog in the country with 77 points in 2017. She trains all week and participates in field trials on the weekend with top ranked trainer Danny Farmer. Finch herself runs the trials when home in Texas.
Larry is a hard-working champion, not a house pet. Finch says that’s a difficult distinction for some pet lovers to understand. As a member of the Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society Board of Directors, she finds herself having to explain it time and time again. She says, “It’s like sending your child to a luxurious summer camp. The dogs love it because they’re doing what they were bred to do.”
While her other dogs are hard at work, her house labs, Annie and Axel, are a breed apart. They get full run of her house and sleep in her bed; and even though they may not be winning trophies and ribbons, they do a fine job of providing love and companionship.
