In 1969, North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association (NAVHDA) established a system of
comprehensive tests that measure all aspects of work for the versatile hunting dog breeds. The NAVHDA
system provides for testing at various stages of maturity. Performance records are kept and made available
to all since they provide invaluable information for both breeder and buyer alike.
NAVHDA chapters sponsor four kinds of tests:
The Natural Ability Test which is designed to evaluate the inherent natural abilities of young dogs and gain
insight into their possible usefulness as versatile gun dogs. It rates seven important inherited abilities:
nose, search, tracking, pointing, water, desire and cooperation.
The Utility Preparatory Test measures the dogs development midway through their training toward the
Utility Test.
The Utility Test evaluates trained dogs in water and field, before and after the shot, as finished versatile
hunting companions as well as many other specific tasks.
The Invitational Test is NAVHDA's highest level of testing. Only dogs who have achieved a Prize I in Utility
are eligible. This limits the entry to exceptional animals who have demonstrated a high level of training and
tests their skills in the advanced work.
To be truly meaningful, tests for versatile hunting dogs must meet certain criteria. They must be conducted
in an environment which reflects actual hunting conditions and situations. They must test the important
qualities of a good versatile dog. Judges must be knowledgeable, consistent and objective. All testing and
evaluation is to be within the context of judging dogs as useful, productive hunting companions. NAVHDA
tests have been designed with these requirements in mind. In addition, NAVHDA's record keeping provides
an accurate, complete performance evaluation on each dog tested The results of these tests for specific
breeds are available through NAVHDA's Test Information Service.
In order to eliminate direct competition between dogs, entrants in a NAVHDA test are judged one at a time,
by three judges, with their performance scored against a standard. The only exception to this is the
Invitational Test, in which dogs are braced in the field so each dog can demonstrate his/her willingness to
back and work effectively with another dog. Prizes are awarded on the basis of numerical scores achieved
in the test. Each dog that meets or exceeds minimum standards in all areas of work is placed in one of
three categories: Prize I, II or III. Prize I being the highest classification. If all dogs entered in a NAVHDA test
perform well, all can receive a prize.
comprehensive tests that measure all aspects of work for the versatile hunting dog breeds. The NAVHDA
system provides for testing at various stages of maturity. Performance records are kept and made available
to all since they provide invaluable information for both breeder and buyer alike.
NAVHDA chapters sponsor four kinds of tests:
The Natural Ability Test which is designed to evaluate the inherent natural abilities of young dogs and gain
insight into their possible usefulness as versatile gun dogs. It rates seven important inherited abilities:
nose, search, tracking, pointing, water, desire and cooperation.
The Utility Preparatory Test measures the dogs development midway through their training toward the
Utility Test.
The Utility Test evaluates trained dogs in water and field, before and after the shot, as finished versatile
hunting companions as well as many other specific tasks.
The Invitational Test is NAVHDA's highest level of testing. Only dogs who have achieved a Prize I in Utility
are eligible. This limits the entry to exceptional animals who have demonstrated a high level of training and
tests their skills in the advanced work.
To be truly meaningful, tests for versatile hunting dogs must meet certain criteria. They must be conducted
in an environment which reflects actual hunting conditions and situations. They must test the important
qualities of a good versatile dog. Judges must be knowledgeable, consistent and objective. All testing and
evaluation is to be within the context of judging dogs as useful, productive hunting companions. NAVHDA
tests have been designed with these requirements in mind. In addition, NAVHDA's record keeping provides
an accurate, complete performance evaluation on each dog tested The results of these tests for specific
breeds are available through NAVHDA's Test Information Service.
In order to eliminate direct competition between dogs, entrants in a NAVHDA test are judged one at a time,
by three judges, with their performance scored against a standard. The only exception to this is the
Invitational Test, in which dogs are braced in the field so each dog can demonstrate his/her willingness to
back and work effectively with another dog. Prizes are awarded on the basis of numerical scores achieved
in the test. Each dog that meets or exceeds minimum standards in all areas of work is placed in one of
three categories: Prize I, II or III. Prize I being the highest classification. If all dogs entered in a NAVHDA test
perform well, all can receive a prize.
| NAVHDA TESTING |
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NAVHDA TESTING