The Trainer: Jim Rice

Jim Rice, an accomplished hunter and trainer, takes pride in bringing out the natural instincts and hunting enthusiasm of each dog and handler.

Jim competes and judges in AKC field trials and hunt tests. During his 25 years as a trainer, Jim has successfully trained, handled and finished over 40 master hunters, 45 senior hunters, 80 junior hunters and field champions. He finished his first German Wirehaired pointer as a master hunter in Southern California.

Jim was invited in 2000 and 2001 by the Big Island Bird Dog Club to conduct training seminars in Hawaii.

In 2009, Jim was elected to Vice-president of the Lassen Retrievers Club in Redding CA. He has branched out into training retrievers for both field trials and hunt tests showing his versatility and mastery of dog training. Jim is currently training Labrador Retrievers for duck hunting and retriever hunt tests. He is truly a premier dog trainer.

Below, Jim Rice speaks about his life with hunting dogs...

“My love for the hunting dog first became apparent when I was a boy in Missouri. My father was well known across the Midwest for his high standards in raising and training beagles and coonhounds. Many hunters from across the country purchased his dogs. As share croppers, we used the dogs to put meat on the table, such as rabbit and fowl. In the late 1970's I purchased my first German Wirehaired Pointer, and immediately became hooked on the pointing breeds. I trained my dogs and friends dogs as a hobby. Ten years later, I began competing in field trials and later in Hunt Tests, which I find valuable in training as it gives me more of an opportunity to evaluate the personality and desire of each dog. I have been fortunate to have been allowed to share my love of the dog and the hunting sport." —Jim Rice