Redding to Rio Vista: a long drive for the right dog

Redding, in Shasta County, has 93,409 residents and a median age of 38.8 (Census ACS 5-year 2024). It is the largest city at the north end of the Sacramento Valley.

Clubs at your doorstep

The Lassen Retriever Club and the Rogue Valley Retriever Club both list 2026 retriever field trials at the Lassen Investment Property in Anderson, just south of Redding (California 2026 trial and hunt test calendar). Clear Creek Sports Club in Corning, farther south, hosts more.

That means a Redding owner can meet retriever people and see dogs work without leaving the North State. Check dates on AKC Event Search.

Being honest about 3.5 hours

Seven hours of driving is a full day. Call Richard about drop-off and pick-up from the North State before you commit, and ask whether the dog's program leaves room for a handler lesson on the day you collect it.

Dogs come to Richard from all over California, and the North State is part of that. Distance is a normal part of this work.

What board-and-train offers from a distance

With board-and-train, the dog stays with Richard and trains at Hastings Island, so no weekly driving is needed. At the end, a lesson on handling lets you carry on the work. See board-and-train and handler lessons for details.

Who this trip suits

A 3.5-hour drive is easiest for owners who already know what they want from a dog: a duck retriever for the Klamath or Sacramento Valley refuges, or an upland dog for pheasant and quail. If you are still deciding, the trainer-choosing guide will help you decide what to ask.

Richard trains handlers too, so you do not need to be an expert to start. The owner-handler training FAQ covers how owners learn.

Shasta County and the wider North State

Redding anchors the North State region, which stretches from the upper Sacramento Valley to the Oregon line. The North State region page lists drive times for Red Bluff and Tulelake as well, if you are comparing options with a hunting partner who lives in a different county.