NAVHDA Tests planned for 6-8 August ... click for info

Please remember to join the Greatland Chapter for the 2010 season! And don't forget to join NAVHDA International! Photos from the previous tests Additional test day photos
"If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went." Will Rogers 2010 NAVHDA Tests The Greatland Chapter will hold NAVHDA-sanctioned tests on 6-8 August, 2010, at Falcon Ridge. We have received an adequate number of entries to justify the cost of running the event, with a few slots remaining. The grounds are not available on the weekend of 31 July through 2 August, so we have elected to go with the following weekend. There are two primary reasons for needing this significant lead time. The Chapter does zero-based budgeting every year. We only have enough cash reserves to keep a bank account open ... about enough to buy lunch. Each year the tests we run are entirely funded by annual membership fees, test entry fees and donations from individual members. The cost of running a test is substantial. We pay our annual insurance premium to NAVHDA International, pay for the judges to travel to Alaska, pay a fee to NAVHDA for holding the test, pay for the birds, and pay for the grounds we use, along with incidentals like shells and water. Many of those expenses are paid well in advance of the test weekend, and can't be refunded. To run the test at all, and to avoid spending money unnecessarily, we needed to know that we would have at least a dozen dogs to run two days of tests, and 16-18 dogs to run three days like we did this past year. So far we have seventeen entries. For the slots that are still available, we need an entry form and entry fee for each dog sent to Judy Deaver. Remember that you can run a dog more than once on separate days, if you'd like. It isn't unusual to do that, and occasionally a dog will get up on the other side of the bed on the second day and run like you knew he could. We understand the issue of folks with a new pup (or one that hasn't even hit the ground) in January being asked to commit to an NA test in August. There just isn't much way to avoid asking you to make the commitment anyway. We'll work with you during the summer to help make sure it works out. Please remember, to keep us from running into an unworkable financial situation, the entry fees we have received are non-refundable. If you did enter and, for any reason, you aren't able to run the dog in August, there a few options. Consider the entry fee to be a contribution to the Chapter and a scholarship for the other dogs that do run Run another dog that wasn't previously entered Find another handler and dog to run in your place, that weren't previously entered. We'll transfer the registration and the two of you can settle up between yourselves. We can probably change the test type, if necessary. Now that we have made the commitment to run the tests and pulled the trigger on our expenditures, the non-refund rule will apply even if your dogs dies, runs off or doesn't shape up quite like you expected during summer training. Trust me, it happens. If you want run your dog, and you haven't signed up, you might want to do so shortly. We might run out of slots and you could be gambling on a no-show on a test day to create a slot for you.   The Test Entry Form is linked from the upper left corner of this page and here. Print it, fill it out and mail it with your check to Judy Deaver (address on the form). We'd like you to join the Chapter, but it isn't required. Your test fee is cheaper if you do.  The fees are listed on the form. We'd also like to see you join NAVHDA International, but that isn't required either. That membership gets you a good magazine, access to test scores and litter registration info, the privilege of being a Chapter officer and the opportunity to run your dog in the Invitational if it's accompanied by a UT Prize I score on your dog. I'd do it. We appreciate the interest in participating in these tests, and the willingness to commit early enough in the year to let us get the logistics accomplished in time. Judy Deaver will be serving again as Test Secretary, which is an enormous amount of work. She and Jeff Daigneau will assist with running the tests, and other members will serve as field marshal, bird planters, gunners, snack and drink arrangers, raisers of ducks and other essential tasks. Many of you will be asked to assist on a day when you aren’t running a dog … and it sure would be helpful. Gary Thompson at Falcon Ridge provides the chukkar and pheasants for the tests, and we use his grounds. We encourage you to join Falcon Ridge and use it for your individual training needs throughout the year if you are working your dogs in this area. Thanks, and good hunting,                 Roger
Chapter events for 2010 The Chapter trains and tests during the summer. Click here for the tentative schedule of events. If you are new to NAVHDA testing, and are considering running a pup in a Natural Ability Test, read this article by Steve Graham from the Pacific Northwest Chapter.

Greatland NAVHDA Chapter

The Greatland Chapter of NAVHDA is one of many sanctioned chapters in North America, and operates as a separate nonprofit corporation in the State of Alaska. We are a statewide organization, and the only NAVHDA-sanctioned chapter in the State, with members living in geographically dispersed locations in this Great Land we call Alaska.

The Chapter was originally formed in February of 2004 and has a current VHD owner base of around 40 versatile hunting dog owners.

Our purpose is to provide a source of camaraderie for our members with a common interest in sharing training and hunting opportunities with our versatile hunting dogs. We also intend to conduct NAVHDA-sanctioned tests and clinics in Alaska, provide training resources for our members, and a path for members who have an interest in becoming NAVHDA judges.

For additional information on the Greatland Chapter, please feel free to contact us by eMail at Greatland Chapter or by phone at 907-346-6279.

What is NAVHDA?

The North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association is a nonprofit corporation whose purpose is to foster, promote and improve the versatile hunting dog breeds in North America, to conserve game by using well-trained reliable hunting dogs before and after the shot, and to aid in the prevention of cruelty to animals by discouraging nonselective and uncontrolled breeding, which produces unwanted and uncared for dogs.

German Shorthaired Pointer at work during test at Falcon Ridge

What's a versatile hunting dog?

The North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association defines versatility as "the dog that is bred and trained to dependably hunt and point game, to retrieve on both land and water, and to track wounded game on both land and water."
~ NAVHDA Aims, Programs, Test Rules

In the field, a versatile dog should exhibit a fine nose, staunch pointing and the desire to search for, track and retrieve game in a cooperative manner. A versatile dog needs to further prove its independence, stamina and quality of nose by transferring the search for, and retrieving of, game to the water. NAVHDA's testing program provides an opportunity for dogs to exhibit these characteristics while remaining obedient and in control at all times. True versatile dogs should perform all tasks with enthusiasm and be willing to work with, and for, their handlers.
    The versatile breeds, as we know them today, are products of Europe. No distinctive versatile hunting breed has been developed in North America.

"Fossil", a German Shorthair Pointer on a ptarmigan hunt near Soldotna, Alaska

What does the Greatland Chapter offer you?

Tests ... The Greatland Chapter organizes and conducts NAVHDA-sanctioned Tests with a goal of two events a year in Alaska. Judges for these Tests are NAVHDA-approved, and come from the Lower 48 (until we develop approved judges within Alaska!). The tests include the Natural Ability Test, the Utility Preparatory Test and the Utility Test. Each test allows an owner or handler to have a dog tested without placing it in direct competition with the other dogs in the test. The dog is evaluated strictly on the basis of guidelines set out by NAVHDA. In a specific test, any number of dogs may receive any of the Prizes described in NAVHDA's Testing Manual.

Training Clinics ... The Greatland Chapter conducts dog training clinics based on the NAVHDA methods contained in the "Green Book" and the NAVHDA-produced video that come with NAVHDA International membership. These training clinics are held throughout the summer, starting in April, and are an excellent opportunity for owners new to dog training beyond basic obedience, owners with their first versatile hunting dog, and experienced owners/handlers. These clinics are a source of hints for managing problem dogs, starting puppies, refreshing your experienced dog, and refocusing on test-related skills prior to an actual Test. The training sessions are an opportunity to share ideas, ask questions (and get answers!), socialize your dog, and demonstrate what you and your dog have learned.

Finally, and most importantly, these training clinics provide access to ideal grounds and water, tracking areas, training tables, and other "tools of the trade" that may not be available to you at home.

NAVHDA-sanctioned Handler Clinics ... These are formal clinics run by NAVHDA-approved judges, and are a rich source of tips and tools for VHD owners contemplating participation in a formal Test. The Greatland Chapter can offer a Handler's Clinic in the local area with sufficient interest and participation.

Contacts ... The Greatland Chapter members include owners of a variety of VHD breeds, several hunting guides, veterinarians, veterans of NAVHDA tests, members of other hunting dog organizations and kennel clubs in Alaska, and people who have experienced just about any training difficulty you can imagine. Membership in the Chapter is a great opportunity to take advantage of this knowledge, and an excellent source for finding like-minded people to hunt with.

Pre-ownership information ... People who are contemplating acquiring their first versatile hunting dog, or a breed different from one you have trained or hunted with in the past, will find the Greatland Chapter a good way to benefit from a broad range of experience. Attending a training clinic where a variety of VHD breeds are present is the best way to see your breed in  action close-up and to ask questions of an owner rather than a breeder. The relationships you develop within the Chapter can be long-lasting and a real benefit throughout your training and hunting experiences with your new dog.

How to join: To join the Greatland Chapter of NAVHDA, please print out the membership application form and mail it to us with a check for your annual dues. We do not have the capability to accept credit card payments. Please include your eMail address so we can add you to our mailing list for announcements. Also, please check this site for the Chapter newsletter, announcements regarding Tests, clinics and other events.

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