The Oregon German Wirehaired Pointer Club (OGWPC) was formed in 1978.  Art Binnie and Ray Calkins believed it was time to put some structure , planning and events together for the growing number of GWP owners in the Portland/Salem area.  Other dog clubs hosted “picnic” trials on Sauvie Island and all breeds were welcome to participate.  Usually dogs were braced for running in one area while other owners talked training and helped each other with bird work or water retrieving close by.  Many offered potlucks for lunch and all were tired after a day outside.  The new wirehair club encouraged participation, hosted informal events and also explored the tests offered by the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association (NAVHDA).  The founder of NAVHDA, Bodo Winterhelt, put on training seminars at the Calkins’ home and the OGWPC held a NAVHDA test in 1982.  The Columbia NAVHDA chapter was formed and the OGWPC turned to becoming an AKC licensed club.

Our first field trial was held in 1986 and the early club members supported the Sea Tac GWPC at their conformation and obedience events.  The first field champion from the membership was FC Chancellor’s Sierra Drifter owned by Ray & Lynn Calkins and he is the dog used on the club logo.  His son, NFC/NAFC/DC Cascade Rogue, MH, NAVHDA UT was the first club member owned Dual and remains the only dog of all the versatile breeds to hold this assortment of AKC titles as well as the NAVHDA UT.

The AKC hunt test program began in 1986 and replaced the early all breed “picnic” trials.  Our first hunt test was held on Sauvie Island in 1990.

The club members also got together for annual club hunts and were asked by the Sportsman’s Show to put together an information booth at that event in February.  It was a great opportunity to introduce the GWP to hunters in the area and tell tales of hunting seasons past!

The National Field Titles were officially recognized by the AKC in 1984 and the Oregon club hosted the rotating National event in 2000 in the Bend area and co-hosted the event again in central Washingon in 2010.

OGWPC continues to hold one field trial and one hunt test each year during the summer months.