Linwood is from Roxboro, North Carolina. He attended and played Rugby for East Carolina University and later played for Cape Fear Rugby in Wilmington. While at ECU, his love for dogs grew, his interest for duck hunting piqued, and his passion for dog training ignited. His first gun dog, Onyx, was the spark, and his first Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Tahoe, was the inspiration.

Linwood has over twelve years of experience as a Professional Retriever Trainer and has titled numerous dogs in AKC Hunt Tests, AKC Field Trials and UKC Hunt Tests. He also has trained countless Personal Gun Dogs and taught Basic Obedience for all Breeds.

He competed in his first Master National in 2009 and had a successful trip. He ran 3 dogs, and Maverick's Swamp Raider MH received his first pass. He has qualified and is running five dogs for Master National 2010.