Best Retrievers

09/05/2026

MEET POPE 🐾 | MASTER NATIONAL 2026

There’s something pretty special about a dog who simply refuses to quit, and Pope has proven time and again that he’s exactly that kind of competitor.

SRSC Seaside’s Saint Benedict MH
Owned by Carol Huddleston

Carol describes Pope in three words: competitive, intense and driven. And if you’ve watched this dog work, you know exactly what she means. He loves his job, he loves to compete, and he brings everything he has when it’s time to go to the line.

Pope has also shown just how tough he is. After going through major surgery, he came back doing what he loves and has continued to prove himself as a competitor. Carol calls him “a true fighter,” and we can’t think of a better way to describe him.

2026 has already given Pope and Rody plenty to celebrate. They picked up SRS wins at Marsh Madness and Cours Retrievers, followed by a 2nd-place finish at Feliciana. Now they’re headed to Oregon together for the 2026 Master National.

But don’t let all that intensity fool you. According to Carol, once the work is over, Pope is really just a big baby. 😂 And when we asked which celebrity reminded her of Pope, her answer was Ben Carson, because of everything Pope has overcome and the way he continues to succeed.

We’re proud to have Pope representing Best Retrievers and can’t wait to watch him take on the 2026 Master National! 🖤🐾

09/04/2026

MASTER NATIONAL 2026 • ACE 🏆

Meet C4 ACED YO ASSETS MH, better known as Ace, owned by Ara & Carl Center!

Sweet, driven and intelligent are the three words his owners chose to describe him, and there’s a whole lot packed into those three words. Ace has the drive to work, the heart to love and a personality that makes him impossible not to adore. Ara says he’s more than she hoped for, more than she dreamed of and exactly the dog she needed. ❤️

And if Ace were a celebrity? Chuck Norris with a little Morgan Wallen. 😂 Tough, driven and all business when it’s time to work, with just enough handsome, charming ladies’ man mixed in.

Ace is headed back to the Master National, and we’re proud to have him and the Centers representing the Best Retrievers crew in 2026! 🏆

09/04/2026

🇺🇸 BEST RETRIEVERS LABOR DAY SALE!

ALL Best Retrievers hats & outerwear are 50% OFF! 🧢🐾

No limits. No code needed. Just 50% OFF every hat and every piece of outerwear all weekend long!

Starts NOW and runs through Labor Day Monday!

👇 Shop the sale at the link below!

Best Retrievers

09/04/2026

Talk about a picture that makes you proud. 🤎🪿

Camo came to Best Retrievers at about eight months old, and just went home about a month ago. This is his very first hunting season, and we couldn’t wait to hear how his first goose hunt went. Then Lorenzo sent us THIS picture! 😂

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers are incredibly smart dogs, and over the years we’ve learned that finding what motivates each one and building that partnership can be a big part of their training.

Camo came ready to work. During his time with us, he progressed through obedience, formal fetch, Gun Dog training and into advanced work, including running blinds. Hunter, Rody and Sophie all had a hand in different parts of his development, and his owner, Lorenzo Sartini, deserves a lot of credit too. He listened, trusted the process and continued the work on his end.

Now Camo is home doing exactly what all of that work was preparing him to do.

First hunting season. First goose hunt. I’d say Camo and Lorenzo are off to a pretty darn good start. 🤎🪿

09/04/2026

Opening Day Tradition 🕊️🐾

Every year when hunting season rolls around, we like to kick it off the same way, by getting our crew out of the kennels and training fields and spending a day together.

Our annual dove hunt has become one of those traditions we look forward to. We work together every day, but there’s something pretty great about getting away from work, laughing, hunting and just enjoying each other’s company.

A big thank you to Ace in the Hole Guide Service for another great hunt and for taking such good care of our crew!

Hunting season is officially here, and we couldn’t think of a better group to start it with. ❤️🕊️

Here’s to a great season!

09/03/2026

MEET SHOOTER 🐾 | MASTER NATIONAL 2026

We’re kicking off our Road to Master National introductions with a first-timer!

Black Ice’s Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey MH
Owned by Jim & Lisa Lane

This October will be Shooter’s very first trip to Master National, and making it even more special for Jim and Lisa, they’ll have two dogs competing this year. Shooter will be making his Master National debut while Kona returns to the big stage. ❤️

There’s something pretty special about getting to watch two of your dogs earn their way to Master National in the same year.

Of course, titles only tell you part of Shooter’s story. Ask Lisa to describe him and you’ll quickly learn this boy loves a good mud facial. 😂 If you know Shooter, you know just how accurate that is.

And when we asked Lisa which celebrity best matched him, she went with Billy Bob Thornton. Her explanation was short and pretty hard to argue with:

“He’s Bad Ass!” 😂

That pretty well sums him up.

We’re excited to watch Shooter step to the line for his first Master National and even more excited to let you get to know the dogs and the people behind this journey as we count down to October. ❤️🐾

And speaking of getting to know him, keep an eye on our Stories later today. 👀 Each of our Master National dogs is getting a dating profile, and Shooter is up first.

Trust us, you’re going to want to see this one. 😂

Road to Master National | Dog #1: Shooter

09/02/2026

DID YOU KNOW? 🐾🩺

Once a month, we’re fortunate to have a veterinarian from Texas Star Animal Clinic come right here to Best Retrievers.

Our team spends every day with these dogs, and because we know them so well, sometimes we notice the little things. A change in movement, an ear that doesn’t look quite right, a skin irritation, a change in weight or simply something that makes us say, “Can you take a look at this?”

Not everything requires loading a dog up for a trip to the clinic, but having another set of professional eyes is incredibly valuable. During these monthly visits, general examinations can be performed, questions can be answered, and our team administers the heartworm and flea & tick preventatives that owners have provided for their dogs while the veterinarian is here.

It’s one more way we work together to care for the dogs entrusted to us.

Trainers watch. Kennel staff notice. Veterinarians advise. We work together for the dog. ❤️

We’re very thankful for our relationship with Texas Star Animal Clinic and for the care they provide to the Best Retrievers family.

BehindTheScenesAtBR

09/02/2026

Sorry, Keltzi. Your request has been denied. 😂

Apparently Sutton has been reassigned to Paige until further notice.

Please direct all complaints to management… which unfortunately is also Paige. 🤣

09/02/2026

Opening day essentials: gun, shells, dog… and apparently Craig requires personal climate control. 😂🕊️

No judgment, Craig. Stay comfortable, king. 👑💨

09/01/2026

Happy National Boykin Spaniel Day! 🤎🐾

Seems like the perfect excuse to bring back one of our favorite pictures of the Boykin Brigade!

Willow, Aggie, Manna and Maggie all came through our Gun Dog Assessment Program before moving into Gun Dog training, and this crew certainly helped prove why Boykins have such a great reputation in the field.

A whole lot of personality, drive and dog packed into a smaller package. 🤎

To all of our Boykin families out there, today’s your day! Drop us a picture of your Boykin in the comments. We’d love to see them! 🐾