Prioritized Entry Announcement

In January 2025, the American Kennel Club made two changes to Chapter 6 of the Guidelines and Regulations for Hunting Retrievers that directly affected the Master National Retriever Club’s annual event. 

“This level of testing shall be demonstrated over the equivalent of two Master Hunter tests.” 

“As the resources available to the host organization will vary by location and over time; in order to hold a quality event and achieve the required level of testing, the host organization is provided the option to determine the maximum number of entries given the time allotted to the event. This will allow the host organization to better plan and manage the event. The AKC Performance Events Department reserves the right to review and approve the maximum number of entries.”  

It is the goal of the MNRC to run the event within prior event timeframes, to have the equivalent of two Master Hunt Tests (6 quality series), and to showcase the abilities of master dogs in a single national event. 

As a result of these rule changes and in collaboration with the host organization, the MNRC is incorporating these aspects for the 2026 event in Roseburg, Oregon, October 2-11 that have been reviewed and approved by AKC per the new language in Chapter 6.

Entries for the 2026 event will be limited to a target number of 840 dogs. 

Handlers will be required to rank, or prioritize, all their entries into the event. 

Only one handler per entry will be accepted

Once the entries close the MNRC will start the process of accepting the entries based on each handler’s ranking number. We will first take all the 1s, next all the 2s, next all the 3s, and so on until we reach the target number. At that point we will take an entire ranked grouping that brings us close to 840. 

For the 2026 event, 840 dogs is the target number; it could be slightly less or slightly higher as the cutoff will be at an entire ranked group so that all handlers are treated equally. 

Handlers may handle dogs up the max number based on the ranking cutoff. Under no circumstances will a handler be allowed to handle more than the max number.

There will not be a waitlist. Scratches will receive the usual refund. No dog will be added to replace a scratched dog. 

Entries for all dogs will be accepted based on the ranking of the entry, regardless of when the entry is received during the entry period. 

The MNRC Board is aware of the significant impact that this decision will have, not only with the 2026 event, but also with the regular club qualifying tests that begin August 1 of this year. While no decision has been made for future events, the changes in Chapter 6 could result in limitations of entries accepted based on the resources of the areas where the event is held.  

Sincerely, Master National Retriever Club Board of Directors