The Bird Dog Foundation
A Summary

West Tennessee has been heralded as the cradle of bird dog field trials in America.  It was ultimately likely that such a grand legacy would become institutionalized at Grand Junction, Tennessee, the century-old home of the National Field Trial Championship for pointing dogs. 

Founded in 1988, the stated mission of The Bird Dog Foundation, based in Grand Junction, is that of “preserving the past and protecting the future for sporting dog fanciers the world over.”  Today this means serving as the focal point for nearly 40 different dog breeds, collectively referred to as “bird dogs.”  These include the pointing breeds, flushing breeds (Spaniels), and retrievers, most of which are also involved in competitive field trial sports across the continent.   Some of the many sporting dog breeds featured include:

• Boykin Spaniel Curly-Coated Retriever American Brittany
• Clumber Spaniel Flat-Coated Retriever French Brittany
• Cocker Spaniel Chesapeake Bay Retriever English Pointer
• English Springer Spaniel Golden Retriever English Setter
• Irish Water Spaniel Labrador Retriever Irish/Red Setter
• American Water Spaniel Gordon Setter
• German Shorthaired Pointer
• German Wirehaired Pointer
• Munsterlander
• Pudelpointer
• Vizsla
• Weimaraner
• Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

Numerous sporting dog associations and field trial organizations are affiliated with The Bird Dog Foundation.   A short list of inclusions features:

• Amateur Field Trial Clubs of America (AFTCA)
• American Brittany Club (ABC)
• American Kennel Club (AKC)
• The American Field
• English Springer Spaniel Field Trial Assoc. (ESSFTA)
• Labrador Retriever Club (LRC)
• National Retriever Club (NRC)
• National Amateur Retriever Club (NARC)
• Hunting Retriever Club (HRC)
• National German Shorthaired Pointer Assoc. (NGSPA)
• North American Versatile Hunting Dog Assoc.  (NAVHDA)
• National Shoot-To-Retrieve Field Trial Assoc. (NSTRFTA)
• National Bird Hunter Association (NBHA)
• Grand National Grouse Dog Championship Assoc. (GNGDCA)
• National Red Setter Field Trial Assoc. (NRSFTA)

At Grand Junction, the Bird Dog Foundation today houses and operates the following four venues:

• National Bird Dog Museum – This venue was the very first to open at the BDF beginning in 1991.   Today it houses and showcases various exhibits related to upland game bird hunting, field trialing & field trial clubs, various sporting dog breeds and organizations, as well as historical memorabilia.

• Field Trial Hall of Fame – Opened in 1995, this section is a tribute to the greatest of the greats, both dogs and people, who have contributed substantially to the sport. This showcase is chock full of history – visitors can see portraits with biographical sketches explaining the accomplishments of every inductee.  Inductions into the hallowed hall take place each February.  It is a solemn and dignified ceremony.  Currently, the following sporting breeds or varieties are participating in balloting for electees to the hall:

• Pointer & Setter – Initiated in 1954, earliest inductees date back to the 1880s when field trialing was in its infancy in the U.S.  Two dogs and two people continue to be added yearly.
• American Brittany – Since 1993, stellar dogs and distinguished persons have been elected to this hall – today there are 69 dogs and 32 people included.  
• English Springer Spaniel – This portion of the hall dates to 1999.   Inductees presently number 34 persons and 32 dogs representing the U.S., Canada, and Great Britain.
• German Shorthaired Pointer - This breed of growing popularity became a part of the hall in 2008.

• National Retriever Museum – Constructed in 2003, this venue is also the largest in floor space at the BDF.   Waterfowl hunting and retriever field trials are highlighted within this area.  

• Retriever Field Trial Hall of Fame – Retriever field trials first began in the 1930s in the U.S.   This hall of fame became a part of the BDF in 1992.   Today, many famous trainers and dog owners are honored here, along with deserving Labradors, Goldens, and Chesapeake Bay Retrievers.   There are currently 117 dogs and 74 persons enshrined. 

• Wildlife Heritage Center – This is the educational arm of the BDF.  Since inception, a major mission focus of the foundation has been to educate the general public, especially youngsters, about the rich history of sporting dogs in America.   More broadly, the center promotes natural resources conservation and a sound land ethic by exposing youths to wildlife and the environment.   The center sponsors school field trips, hosts an annual kids’ art contest, holds a kids’ summer reading program, gives college scholarships, and supports its own nature trail and outdoor classroom.
  
  The William F. Brown Library is a part of the center and contains more than 1,200 books on outdoor subjects ranging from dog history, to dog training, to fly-fishing and gunsmithing.  Its shelves also feature dozens of periodicals about dogs and the outdoors, along with conservation magazines from many state wildlife, fisheries, & parks departments.    

The Bird Dog Foundation is truly unique among museum-type operations, it being the only such entity dedicated entirely to sporting dogs.  Its venues are all under one roof in expansive displays covering 22,000 sq. ft.  The exhibits, art, & extensive natural resources/sporting dog library are all free for the public’s enjoyment and education six days per week, Tuesday thru Sunday.  The foundation is supported entirely by private patrons and donations.  Each year, thousands of dog lovers and tourists from across North American visit the foundation’s renowned sporting dog center.  International visitors in recent years have represented China, Japan, Norway, Netherlands, and England.  Learn more about the rich history of sporting dog; visit the Bird Dog Foundation, located 50 miles east of Memphis, TN.  

For more information go to   www.birddogfoundation.com