Sportsmen know to flock to Mississippi in the fall and winter months for some of the best deer and duck hunting in the South. But they might be surprised to learn that some of the best hunting dogs in the country are bred and trained just outside of Oxford.
Mike Stewart, a retired Oxford police officer and former Ole Miss police chief, is the owner of Wildrose Kennels and one of the most sought-after dog trainers in the world. He’s been training British and Irish Labradors since 1972, and made Oxford his kennel’s permanent home in 1999.
Today, Wildrose Labs are regarded among wingshooters and adventurers as the finest sporting dogs money can buy, with price tags of $10,000 to $15,000 (for a fully finished dog) to prove it. Stewart's classic “gentleman’s gun dogs” have an easy temperament and natural game-finding ability, while his adventure dogs complement any family's outdoor pursuits, from canoeing, paddle boarding, fishing and hiking to leisurely afternoons by the lake. Additionally, he trains dogs for therapy, service and work as diabetic alert dogs.
And while Stewart is one of the most highly regarded in his field, he’s most simply an animal lover. Like he told Garden & Gun magazine, “I’ve been piddling around training dogs as long as I can remember. I’ve always loved dogs — and training them.”
The day we visited Wildrose, walking next to Stewart in wait, the dogs surrounding him were ready for his commands. Well-behaved, with tails wagging and tongues hanging out, they weren’t in training to go to live with other families. All four were Stewart’s personal dogs, just happy to have a day out on the property with their master.
