
Tommy Hamn with Dan
Photos by Rich Smith
As a well-rounded huntsman, Tommy Hamn wanted a true “gentleman’s gundog” to accompany him on the hunt and retrieve both on land and in water. Dan, a black Labrador retriever, is exactly that.
Hamn’s hunting repertoire includes doves, ducks, and various upland game birds, so he needed a well-trained dog that could handle that variety in addition to being a loving family dog at home. He got his first dog, Sue, from Wildrose Kennels, an organization known for raising and training puppies of the highest caliber. Sue was a great hunting companion, so he returned to Wildrose years later to get his newest dog, Dan. “We had them train him up until he was a little over a year old, with short visits back to us during this time,” Hamn says. “He is now 6 years old with five hunting seasons under his belt, and we have been really pleased with him as well.”

In order to keep up Dan’s training, Hamn has continued to work closely with professional trainers, attending Wildrose Handlers’ retreats twice a year for the past decade. “This helps tune the dog up, but mainly helps train me as the handler,” he explains. “I have really enjoyed the classes and the friendships I have made over the years.” This training makes for an excellent hunting dog, but the experience of working with Dan on his commands also brings the pair closer together. “I enjoy working with the dogs. I have enjoyed that part from when I was a boy,” he shares. “I work with them in the yard as often as I can.”
In the field, Dan is steady, calm, and ready at a moment’s notice to make a great retrieve. “He would do that all day if he could. That’s the reward,” Hamn says. Additionally, Dan’s nose is a force to be reckoned with on the hunt. “He can pick up a scent from over 30 yards away and follow it, not even seeing the bird, and go right to it. It’s amazing to watch,” Hamn shares.

Dan is certainly a “gentleman’s gundog,” as promised. “What that means to me is that they are not just working dogs, and they’re not just companion dogs. It’s a great blend of both,” Hamn says. “They go with me wherever I’m going or whatever I’m doing. They will sit on their dog bed while I’m working in the barn, but they also know when it’s ‘go time’ in the field. They know when it’s time for them go to work, and they love doing it.”