The Southern Michigan Springer Spaniel Training Club, was founded over 55 years ago for the expressed purpose of promoting the English Springer Spaniel as a field and hunting dog. An annual field trial along with scheduled training sessions have been the club's traditional forum to accomplish the goal of bringing the best in field performance to our members and their dogs. Recently a hunt test has been added to the annual event calendar complementing the traditional member gun dog stake.
The chosen pursuit of each member varies from personal gun dog, to hunt test participation and field trial competition. To accomplish these goals accomplished gun dog trainers share their knowledge and experience in formal training sessions that are designed to help "train the trainer" as much as train the gun dog prospect. Advanced training is available if the goal is to achieve the Master Hunt Test level or Field Trial Competition. Currently, club dogs hunt pheasants from South Dakota and Iowa, retrieve ducks in state marshes and flush Grouse/Woodcock in our uplands. Several dogs have achieved an AKC Master Hunter Title in Hunt Tests. While others are competitive Field Trial Dogs.
In recognizing that all Spaniel Flushing Breeds require the same set of training fundamentals, SMSSTC welcomes the owners of the various spaniel breeds to participate and join our club roster. The owners of English Cocker Spaniel and American Water Spaniels enjoy the same opportunity to train as owners of English Springer Spaniels. Our club supports the activity and pursuit of the various Spaniel Clubs across the state. We are licensed by the AKC to hold our annual Field Trial and Hunt Test. Prospective members are encouraged to contact us for more information.