Tomahawk Kennels

Tomahawk Kennels offers a specialized training program for Boykin Spaniels, which runs annually from March through October. The program is structured into three main categories: Basic Foundation, Transition, and Advanced.

The Basic Foundation program is designed for pups between six and twelve months old, ensuring they are mentally and physically mature enough for training. This phase includes a week of socialization, followed by formal obedience training on lead, teaching commands such as sit, here, heel, and place. It progresses to collar conditioning for these commands and introduces pressure training to teach the “fetch” command. Upon completion, dogs are expected to be obedient and capable of retrieving on both land and water, suitable as family pets, adventure dogs, or basic gun dogs.

The Intermediate & Advanced Training is for dogs ready to progress beyond basic hunting skills, aiming to become advanced hunting companions or enter competitive careers. This level is not suitable for all dogs, and interested owners are encouraged to contact Tomahawk Kennels for an evaluation of their dog and a detailed discussion of this program’s specifics.

Tomahawk Kennels, established in 2018 by Jonathan Holland, specializes in the professional training and breeding of Boykin Spaniels. Jonathan, a native of Athens, Alabama, retired from the fire department in 2022 to dedicate himself full-time to this passion, aiming to breed and train the most elite Boykin Spaniels globally.

The business operates from a state-of-the-art, 5-star kennel facility built in 2021, designed with safety and comfort in mind for retrievers. This climate-controlled building features Mason brand kennels equipped with Kuranda dog beds and stainless water bowls, a 24/7 security system, and a secured airing yard. The kennel is fully staffed, ensuring dogs receive care and multiple daily outings, with instant hot water for cleaning and a veterinarian on call for emergencies.

Complementing the kennel is the 31-acre Tomahawk Kennels farm, specifically designed for retriever training. It includes diverse terrain and various water bodies like a technical pond, stick pond, swim by pond, and a newly added canal pond, providing comprehensive training opportunities for advanced concepts and real-life hunting scenarios.

Their training program is tailored for Boykin Spaniels, emphasizing thoroughness, muscle memory, repetition, and individualized schedules for each dog. They offer a Basic Foundation program for pups aged six to twelve months, covering formal obedience commands such as sit, here, heel, place, and fetch, leading to obedient retrieving on both land and water. This program prepares dogs to be obedient family pets, adventure dogs, or basic gun dogs. Additionally, they provide Intermediate & Advanced Training for those seeking a more advanced hunting companion or a competitive career, which requires an evaluation of the dog.

Accomplishments

Jonathan Holland is a highly accomplished trainer and handler, recognized as a 3x national champion. His notable dogs include:

HRCH Chief Holland MHR NCH18 OCH22 “CHIEF”: A 2022 BSS National Open Champion and 2018 BSS National Novice Champion. Chief also holds an AKC Master Retriever title and has retrieved over 1000 wild ducks and geese, including challenging sandhill cranes. He achieved his Hunting Retriever Champion title at 19 months old, a feat accomplished by fewer than 10 dogs at that age and only around 100 Boykins in breed history.

HRCH Brandywines Married In A Fever NCH21 “JUNE”: The 2021 BSS National Novice Champion. June also earned her Hunting Retriever Champion title in 2022 and received a Judges Award Of Merit at the 2022 BSS National Intermediate Division.

How to Get Started!

To get started with Tomahawk Kennels, prospective clients can reach out via the contact form on their website. For those interested in acquiring a puppy, a specific puppy application is available to help pair them with the perfect dog. For intermediate and advanced training, clients are advised to contact the kennel to arrange an evaluation of their dog and discuss program details.