NAVHDA Tests planned for 31 July, 1-2 August ... click for info

Please remember to join the Greatland Chapter for the 2009 season! And don't forget to join NAVHDA International!
"If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went." Will Rogers NAVHDA-Sanctioned Tests Friday, Saturday and Sunday 31 July, 1-2 August We have received an adequate number of entries for NAVHDA-sanctioned tests to be conducted by the Greatland Chapter of NAVHDA on Friday, the 31st of July, Saturday the 1st and Sunday the 2nd of August of this year. The tests will be conducted at Falcon Ridge, south of Wasilla, Alaska. We appreciate the interest by all those who entered their dogs and paid the entry fee in time for us to make this important decision. There have been 15 entries so far, with a few more expected. We have reached the maximum number of dogs that NAVHDA rules allow us to run on Saturday and Sunday. So we’ll be running two NA dogs on Friday afternoon, with slots for several more that day if we get additional entries. We anticipate running 5 Natural Ability and 1  UPT and 1 UT on Saturday, and then 1 UPT and 5 UT on Sunday. We have five different breeds signed up so far, so this will be a good opportunity to see several breeds other than your own working in the field. Here’s the current list of entries: Handler Breed Name Test Jay Parker GSP Fossil UT Tom Temple       WPG                      Ryker                    NA Roger Hull           WPG Bramble UT Roger Hull   WPG Grendel UT John Haddix  GWP Kobuk UPT Bruce Morgan GSP Wit NA Harvey Drake SM Yeager NA John Sarvis  SM JayDee UPT Justin Orr   GWP (New pup) NA Forrest Bolles  SM Patch NA Dan Brandvold  GWP   UPT Don Holum  LM Hihdi NA Jeff Daigneau  GWP Doc NA Thomas St Clair GWP Felix NA Angus Warren GWP   NA A few handlers will be running their dogs twice, on separate days. The chapter will hold training sessions during the summer. Notices will be posted on this web site, and we'll send out announcements by eMail to everyone associated with the chapter. Everyone is welcome at these sessions, not just handlers planning to run the test in the fall. We’ll also look at holding a mock test sometime shortly before the actual test so handlers can get a progress check on your training. Those sessions would be a good opportunity to provide the exposure young pups need prior to an NA test. 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. We have paid our annual insurance fee, registered the tests with NAVHDA International and we have requested judges for the event, so the ball is rolling. Please remember that because we have now made a financial commitment to these events, the entry fees are now non-refundable.  If an issue arises that will prevent running a dog as planned, handlers are welcome to substitute another dog in the same test level. If that isn’t feasible, we will see if we can find a substitute handler and dog and work out a way to do a fee swap between handlers. However, we won’t be in a position to refund an entry fee for any reason if the tests are conducted as scheduled. Judy Deaver is serving as Test Secretary, which is a lot of work. She and Jeff Daigneau will be assisting with running the tests, and we have already begun recruiting people to serve as field marshal, bird planters, gunners, snack and drink arrangers, acquirers of ducks and other essential tasks. Some of you may be asked to assist on a day when you aren’t running a dog … not required, but it sure would be helpful. This web site will be kept current with training schedules, training tips, etc. that will help all of us with training our dogs, and which should be especially helpful for handlers planning to test here or elsewhere. Gary Thompson at Falcon Ridge will be providing the chukkar and pheasants for the tests, and we will be using his grounds. We encourage you to join Falcon Ridge and use it for your individual training needs throughout the summer if you are working your dogs in this area. Thanks, and good hunting,                 Roger
Chapter events for 2009 The 2009 Chapter training and testing schedule will start in April. Click here for the complete 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 training day 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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