An AKC licensed club, training flushing spaniels and retrievers since 1993.
Members
The latest newsletter is now available in the “Members Only” section
Our 2024 AKC Spaniel Hunt Test was run on May 4th an 5th. To see pictures and read a little bit about it, click here.
Watch this site for information on the 2025 hunt test later this year.
Originally named the American Water Spaniel Field Association (AWSFA), The Great Lakes American Water Spaniel Club (GLAWSC) is an AKC performance club that formed in 1993 to offer field training opportunities to American Water Spaniel enthusiasts. In 2012 the club became licensed by the American Kennel Club (AKC) to hold AKC Spaniel Hunt Tests. GLAWSC is not a specialty club in the eyes of the AKC but given that all but a few members own AWS for all practical purposes it is. The GLAWSC is able to host AKC Spaniel Hunt Tests and primarily addresses the needs of AWS hunting enthusiasts. Although the club has members in various parts of the country, today its principal activities take place in southern Michigan. It has additional goals of providing helpful information to AWS enthusiasts and recognizing AWS for their achievements in various venues.
The club provides regularly scheduled field (hunting dog) training days throughout the year and occasional field training seminars. Its primary focus is on the development of the American Water Spaniel (AWS) as a versatile hunting dog capable of performing as well on a waterfowl hunt as it will in the uplands. Field training sessions are customized for each dog and all who attend work together to help one another bring out the best in our AWS companions. Training includes field elements such as general retrieving skills, bird introduction, water retrieves, flushing, and obedience.
The Great Lakes AWSC goes a bit beyond being simply a field training club though and gives back to the AWS and AKC hunt test communities as a whole by supporting programs designed to help them. Over the years, the club has contributed to health initiatives and education, disaster relief, and breed rescue programs. Through its newsletter, The Journal, the Great Lakes AWSC stays in touch with its members informing them of is happening under the radar in both the AWS and canine community.
