why wingman putting our experience to work for you
Wingman Kennel applies over 40 years experience in training, breeding, and hunting dogs to your needs.
When you engage us we start with your goals. We listen. We ask questions. We strive to understand your needs and mission. We then create a solution with a unique approach that is designed to meet your objectives. Whether that is a puppy, a started dog, a finished dog, a coach to train you, or a trainer to train your dog, we will provide a solution or advice.
Our ultimate passion is to provide you with your WINGMAN. There is a lot of buzz about “versatile” dogs, “high performance” dogs, “gun” dogs, and “trial” dogs. Your dog is your “best friend.” Bottom line, providing your ideal WINGMAN, is the essence of who we are.
We customize the training package around you, your wingman, and your goals.
We are very focused on breeding for specific outcomes – strong prey drive, strong retrieve, strong point, strong desire to be a loyal companion.
When comes to breeding, we have the experience and resources to find the right breed of dog and the right traits to fit your goals, your hopes, your dreams, etc.
Our passion for dogs, the outdoors, and helping people with their WINGMAN is in our DNA and is why people trust us as their preferred Kennel and Outfitter.
Hans Nelson
Hans has over 4 decades of experiences with hunting dogs. Hans’ first memories and love for the dogs began at the age of 5 with both pointing and flushing spaniels part of the family. His passion for hunting dogs grew stronger before he could hold a hunting license. During that time he tagged along hunting spaniels, beagles and coonhounds with his dad and uncles. As a teenager, hunting ruffed grouse in northern Wisconsin with pointing dogs became his passion. After completing college and starting a family, Hans purchased and began training and hunting pointing dogs in the pursuit of ruffed grouse. To add to that, soon thereafter Hans was introduced to waterfowl hunting by some friends. Waterfowl and Upland have been his passion to this day.
In an effort to have the best of all bird dog worlds, Hans continued to train versatile dogs to be steady to wing, shot, and retrieve on grouse hunts and began training for strong retrievers in the pursuit of waterfowl. Hans has been training versatile dogs for over a decade. Since 2012, Hans has been involved in training Pointing Labs to be champions in the field and American Pointing Lab Association (APLA), American Kennel Club (AKC) Hunt Tests, and Hunting Retriever Club (HRC) Hunt Tests.
Hans’ passion to promote and improve the Labrador as pointing retrievers is now being furthered through a commitment to selectively breeding. Through hundreds of hours of research and mentoring from other experienced breeders and veterinarians he has started the development of a breeding program that is focused on the balancing best traits for pointing and retrieving while maintaining the demeanor a “well-behaved family dog.” His hope and passion is centered around providing the ideal Labrador for the people that love to see a pointing dog in action, appreciate a champion retriever, and need a dog that is enjoyable in the house.
Nick Moe
Nick is an absolute outdoorsman with an authentic love for working with high-performance sport dogs. Nick was first introduced to training and hunting beagles by his grandfather. His grandfather taught him how to study dogs and help them become great hunting dogs. As a teenager, Nick was introduced to ruffed grouse hunting and pointing dogs with his father. This grew to an avid passion for both pointing dogs and the pursuit of grouse.
From there, Nick’s interest grew into participation in hunt tests and field trials with pointing dog breeds. As a teenager, he got involved with pointing dog field trials. By his early 20’s he got involved with Verein Deutsch-Drahthaare (VDD) and North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association (NAVHDA). Subsequently, through the VDD he earned, along with his Drahthaar, Dakota, an opportunity to compete in Germany as VC International. Nick continued to compete with shorthairs and drahthaars in organizations including, National Shoot to Retrieve Association (NSTRA), North American Deutsch Kurzhaar Club (DK), American Field, North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association (NAVHDA). and German Shorthaired Pointer Association (GSPA). He has competed and trained throughout the country, including the Dakotas, Montana, Texas, and Arizona.
In his early 30s, Nick was introduced to field trial retrievers. His passion for retriever training, hunt tests, and field trials have not wavered since that introduction. He has been active in the American Kennel Club (AKC) Field Trials and Hunt Tests, along with Hunting Retriever Club (HRC) Hunt Tests. Nick and his dog Kenny have earned Master Hunter and Hunter Retriever Champion. Nick has worked to earn titles in the AKC and HRC on various other Retrievers.
Nick’s passion for hunting upland birds and waterfowl has not wavered. He has been an active leader in Ruffed Grouse Society since his early twenties. Along with sharing his knowledge on the elusive ruffed grouse, he truly enjoys teaching people the art and skills required to train high-performance sport dogs.