Please Note: We have e-mail, but prefer phone calls. Making a decision about a trainer or a puppy requires a personal discussion so that we can meet your needs.

Sulphur River Kennels is the retriever training/breeding kennel of trainer Steve Stidham of Wolfe City, TX. (1 hour N.E. of Dallas). After years of successfully competing in AKC Field Trials, Steve is now concentrating on training retrievers for Hunt Tests and for hunting/family dogs. Steve accepts a maximum of 16 dogs, ensuring each dog and owner receives the personal attention needed to achieve the owner's goals. SRK has a limited breeding program emphasizing quality over quantity.

Steve has had retrievers continuously since 1966. He ran his first field trial in 1976, shortly after graduating from the University of Texas. Since then, he has been involved in the training of numerous Field Champions and Master Hunters, such as FC-AFC Rebel With A Cause, FC Lone Star's Scarlett of Tara, and Doc's Perfect Storm, MH (who passed her First AKC Master at an incredible 13 months of age).

In 2007, Steve qualified 10 dogs for the AKC Master National Hunt Test, more than any other trainer in the South. After a week of demanding tests, 5 became Master Natl. Finalists. This was the third highest total of Finalists.

Whether your looking for a Master Hunter or just a great hunting dog, Steve can train you and your retriever.




Our Retriever Training program includes complete basics (obedience, force fetch, etc.) through advanced training. We currently run AKC licensed Hunt Tests throughout the country.

Our Gun Dog/Basics Program is typically a 4-month program. This produces a dog that is obedient, steady to shot, has retrieved through diverse terrain (heavy brush, cattails, and etc.) and has been force fetched. Dogs completing our 4 month program should be capable of successfully competing in Junior Hunt Tests, if the owner so desires. If the owner also wants to pursue more advanced training, the foundations are in place to move into handling, blind retrieves and other advanced concepts. Training is $600 per month, everything included.

Please Note: There is no difference in the training of retrievers used for Hunt tests vs. gundogs. The methods, concepts, and training scenarios are the same. We use duck calls, shots from the line, walk-up (flushing) situations, and both land and water scenarios to simulate actual hunting for ducks, doves, pheasants, etc.

Our Advanced Training program follows our 4 month program. The owner will have the option of taking the dog home or enrolling in "college", i.e. advanced retriever training. Basics provide the foundation for this, providing a smooth transition.

Advanced work includes doubles, triple, and quadruple marks (retrieves in which the dog sees the bird fall and marks it). The dog also runs pattern drills, through which it learns to do hand and whistle signals, which ultimately leads to the ability to do "blind retrieves".

A blind retrieve simulates a hunting situation in which the dog does not see the bird fall. While many hunting dogs do not possess this skill, it represents a tremendous advantage.

Think about it. How many times has your dog missed seeing the fall due to high cover? Or, perhaps he was returning with another retrieve, or maybe the wind blew the duck out of the decoys as he made another retrieve. These situations, as well as the strong cripple, usually crop up in every hunt and require a dog trained to handle at several hundred yards.

Dogs with advanced training perform at the level of Senior Hunt Tests, and a little later, Master Hunt Tests. Advanced training is also $600 per month.

Note: Go to FAQ on our menu for more info on Junior, Senior, and Master Hunt Tests.


Why you should choose Steve to train your future hunting companion:

  • Experience
    • - Over 30 years of retriever training experience with all ages and all retriever breeds. No assistant trainer. Steve does all the training on all the dogs.

  • Proven Track Record- Success at all levels of Hunt Tests and Field Trials. Primary trainer of 7 Field Champions, 2 National Top Ten Derby Dogs, 17 Master National Finalists in the last 4 years, 3 Master National Hall of Fame dogs, and numerous Master Hunters, Senior Hunters, and Junior Hunters.
  • Stability- Married 20 years.
    •
  • Limited Openings
    • - Maximum of 16 dogs assures daily, individual attention for your dog. Steve and Jerri Lea do all the feeding and needed medication.


    Reference List

    • John Alford, Spicewood, Tx., 830-693-7600 (home)

      Steve trained John's personal hunting dog. John is former State Chairman of Texas Ducks Unlimited. Steve is a State Trustee for Texas DU and served as State Raffle Chairman during John's tenure.

    • Dr. Stephen Anderson, Grapevine, Tx., 817-488-4142 (home)

      Steve trains Doc's personal hunting dog and Hunt Test competitor Doc's Perfect Storm, M.H. Stormy is believed to be the youngest dog ever to pass a Master (13 months old at the time). Steve is also the breeder of Stormy. Stormy was a Finalist in the ’04 & ’07 Master National.

    • Jack O'Connor III, Kingwood, Tx., 713-594-7283 (cell)

      Steve trains Jack’s personal hunting dog and Hunt Test competitor Sugar Bullet, M.H. Sugar was moved to Steve from another trainer and went on to become a Finalist in the ’03, ’05 and ’06 Master National and was inducted into the Master Natl. Hall of Fame.

    • Dr. Ed Aycock, Lewisville, Tx., 972-436-5571 (work)

      Dr. Aycock is one of the finest amateur trainers and handler in the country. He and his wife Judy have trained numerous Field Champions and 2 National Champions. Dr. Aycock has judged Steve's dogs many times and has known Steve for 30 years.

    • Jim Mackey, Longview, Tx., 903-660-3132 (home)

      Steve trained Jim's chocolate female, Nick's Chocolate Rose, M.H., Jim also hunts her extensively during hunting season. Jim had bad experiences with other trainers. Rose's first trainer sent her home, stating she would never make the Master. Rose is one of the most consistent dogs running in the Master circuit. Rose was a Finalist in the ’04, ’06 & ’07 Master National. She is the only Chocolate Female in the Master National Hall of Fame.

    • Chris Robbins, Trophy Club, Tx., 972-822-0513 (cell)

      Steve trains the Robbin’s brilliant performer, Robbin’s Red Ruby, MH-MNH, who has finished 4 Master Nationals at age 5. Ruby is on track to make a run at the all-time record for most times to finish a National.

    • Frank Marx, Corsicana, Tx., 903-654-2127 (cell)

      Steve trains Frank’s dark yellow male, Mick, who gained his Master title at 25 months of age. Frank has had bad experiences with several other trainers.

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