NAVHDA Testing

NAVHDA offers four levels of testing: Natural Ability, Utility Prep, Utility, and the Invitational.  Below are some details on each level of testing.​  To find out more details , click here to view NAVHDA's official AIMS Programs Test Rules.  Some test descriptions below are copied directly from the AIMS Programs Test Rules.

​Natural Ability Test is designed to evaluate young dogs on their
inherent natural abilities with a view to gaining an insight into their possible future value as versatile gun dogs.

The Natural Ability Test is organized into four main segments:

1) Field Phase - Each dog is hunted for a minimum of 20 minutes and is evaluated on:

• Use of Nose

• Search

• Pointing

• Desire

• Cooperation

• Gun Shyness

2) Tracking Phase - The dog is given an opportunity to track a flightless running pheasant or chukar.

3) Water Phase - The dog is tested for its willingness to swim.

4) Judgment of Physical Characteristics.

The following are judged throughout the Natural Ability Test:

• Use of Nose

• Desire to Work

• Cooperation

• Physical Attributes

No game is shot, and no retrieves are required during the Natural Ability Test.

The Utility Preparatory Test is designed to evaluate the dog midway in its training towards becoming a reliable versatile gun dog.

The Utility Preparatory Test is divided into three main segments:

1) Field Group – Each dog is hunted for a minimum of 25 minutes and is evaluated on:

• Search

• Pointing

• Steadiness on Game

• Retrieve of Shot Bird

• Retrieve of Dragged Game

2) Water Group

• Water Search

• Walking at Heel

• Steadiness by Blind

• Retrieve of a Duck

3) Judgment of Physical Characteristics

The following are judged throughout the Utility Preparatory Test:

• Use of Nose

• Desire to Work

• Cooperation

• Obedience

The Utility Test is designated for more experienced dogs in an advanced state of training. It evaluates their ability to perform as reliable versatile gun dogs and demonstrates their physical and mental capability to take training.

The Utility Test is divided into three main segments:

1) Field Group – Each dog is hunted for a minimum of 30 minutes and is evaluated on:

• Search

• Pointing

• Steadiness on Game

• Retrieve of Shot Bird

• Retrieve of Dragged Game

2) Water Group

• Search for a Duck

• Walking at Heel

• Steadiness by Blind

• Retrieve of a Duck

3) Judgment of Physical Characteristics.

The following are judged throughout the Utility Test:

• Use of Nose

• Desire to Work

• Cooperation

• Stamina

• Obedience

• Physical Attributes

The NAVHDA Invitational is “by invitation only,” held annually in various locations throughout the central United States. The invited dogs have all performed at the highest level of competence in the NAVHDA Utility Test, demonstrating the full range of a true versatile hunting dog.

Many of the versatile breeds participate in this event and all dogs are judged according to the standards developed by NAVHDA over the past 40+ years.

The test is divided into two groups: Field and Water.

Field work consists of a search, pointing, steadiness, backing and retrieving with the dogs being run in braces.

Water work consists of a blind retrieve, double-marked retrieve and honoring a retrieve.

Cooperation, obedience, desire and nose are judged throughout the entire test.

The Invitational Test is not necessarily the same at each venue or each year because tests can be, and are, modified to accommodate the available terrain and weather conditions. Please note that any modifications are done to achieve the best evaluation of your hunting dog in a hunting scenario that is as true to life as possible.

Dogs successfully completing the Invitational Test with a passing score will receive the title of “Versatile Champion,” further recognized by placing VC before their names.

Many of our club members do not limit themselves to NAVHDA testing.  They compete in many other testing areana's including:

• AKC Hunt Test

• AKC Field Trials

• UKC Field Trials

• NSTRA Events

• Cover Trials

• Obedience Tests

• Conformation Shows