TESTS:  NAVHDA established a system of comprehensive tests that truly measure all aspects of work for the versatile hunting dog at various stages of maturity.  The NAVHDA system of testing is truly unique in that the dogs do not compete against one another but rather compete against a set standard. 

Entrants in a test are judged one at a time by 3 judges with the dog's performance scored against a set standard.  The only exception to this is the Invitational Test, in which dogs are braced in the field so each dog can demonstrate his 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 3 categories: Prize I, Prize II or Prize III, with Prize I being the highest classification.  If all dogs entered in a NAVHDA test perform well, all can receive a prize. 

NAVHDA TESTS

Natural Ability - evaluates the natural abilities of young dogs (16 mos. of age and younger) and to gain insight into their possible usefulness as versatile gun dogs.  It rates 7 abilities:  nose, search, tracking, pointing, water, desire and cooperation.

Utility Preparatory - measures the dog’s development midway through their training toward the Utility Test.

Utility - evaluates trained dogs in water and field, before and after the shot as finished versatile hunting companions.

Invitational - is the highest level of testing in NAVHDA.  Only dogs who have achieved a Prize I in Utility are eligible.  This limits the entries to exceptional animals who have demonstrated a high level of training and tests their skills in advanced work. 

Versatile Breeds:  Bracco Italiano, Braque d’Auvergne, Braque Francais, Brittany, Cesky Fousek, English Setter, French Spaniel, German Longhaired Pointer, German Shorthaired Pointer, German Wirehaired Pointer, Gordon Setter, Irish Red & White Setter, Irish Setter, Large Munsterlander, Pointer, Portuguese Pointer, Pudelpointer, Slovensky Hrubosrsty Stavac, Small Munsterlander, Spinone Italiano, Vizsla Weimaraner, Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, Wirehaired Vizsla

*Other pointing breeds such as Gordon Setters, English Setters, Irish Setters and English Pointers, although not commonly categorized as versatile hunting dogs, have done very well within the NAVHDA training and testing system.