Ronnie Smith - Bird Dog Trainer, Instructor & Hunting Guide

Ronnie & Susanna

Ronnie and his wife, Susanna Love, open their home to bird dog aficionados across the world and would enjoy hearing from you.

Ronnie & Susanna with George H. Bush (left) and James Baker (right) before a day of quail hunting.

Through generations of hard work and dedication, Ronnie Smith Kennels has developed a trusted and proven name in the bird dog industry. The Smith family has a history of raising and training fine bird dogs. Ronnie’s late father, Ronnie Smith Sr., was a well-respected dog trainer. Ronnie’s uncle, Delmar Smith has received the honor of being inducted into the Field Trial Hall of Fame. Ronnie and his cousins, Rick and Tom Smith, continue the Smith family tradition. Bird dogs are not only a business for the Smiths, they are a passion and a way of life.

When you meet Ronnie Smith in person, his cheerful, easygoing attitude are immediately apparent. Ronnie is a man that enjoys his profession. Beginning as a child, cleaning his father’s kennels, Ronnie’s entire life has revolved around bird dogs. He feels blessed to be able to have known and trained the dogs that he has. Easy going and fun to learn from, Ronnie is an effective teacher, whether the student is human or canine. However, working with bird dogs remains Ronnie’s main passion and focus.

The operation of Ronnie Smith Kennels continues to be a family affair. Ronnie’s wife, Susanna Love, trains dogs and assists in running the business. Susanna is an attorney and 5th generation rancher who has devoted her life to bird dogs. She shares her husband’s enthusiasm of training each dog in their kennel to be the best that individual can be.

Ronnie and Susanna’s enjoyment of bird dogs transfers to their work, whether it is training a great young hunting dog or teaching an owner how to successfully hunt with their dog. Years of observing canine behavior have developed their training format into one that works for any dog that has prey drive. While continually adding to their own repertoire of experience, they put their knowledge of bird dogs to work for their clients to help them find a better way to relate to and communicate with bird dogs.