Frequently Asked Questions

How do I join the Greatland Chapter?

There is a membership application on this site that you can print, complete and mail. There is also a link to the NAVHDA International membership application. Membership meetings will be held about twice a year, and there are several events throughout the year where Chapter members gather to test, train or hunt our dogs.

It is necessary for me to join NAVHDA?

NAVHDA International membership is encouraged for all Chapter members. It is required for anyone who holds Chapter office, enters a NAVHDA-sanctioned test, or enters the NAVHDA Apprentice Judge program.

What is NAVHDA?

The North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association is a legally recognized nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering, improving, promoting and protecting the versatile hunting dog in North America.

Underlying these aims is the desire to serve the interests of game conservation, prevention of cruelty to animals, and the gun dog hunter by helping the hunter to train a dog to work before and after the shot, on land and in water.

NAVHDA is an excellent compliment to the activities of sporting dog breed clubs and field trial organizations. It was created to supplement the activities of those clubs by providing a proven, standard method of evaluating the performance of all versatile hunting dogs, consistent with North American hunting practices, regardless of breed.

What breeds of dogs are versatile hunting dogs?

There are 12 "core breeds" and 13 "miscellaneous breeds" that are recognized by NAVHDA as possessing the broad range of hunting skills necessary to perform acceptably in NAVHDA-sanctioned tests, and to perform these same skills in the field. Information on the core breeds may be found on the "VHD Breeds" page within this site.

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

Only pointing breeds registerable with the NAVHDA Registry are eligible to enter NAVHDA tests. NAVHDA testing is open to dogs registered or registerable with NAVHDA's Registry.

What is a NAVHDA-sanctioned test?

These are events scheduled by local NAVHDA Chapters that meet the requirements of a Natural Ability Test (NA), a Utility Preparatory Test (UPT) or a Utility Test (UT). These tests require acceptable grounds (cover, water, etc.) for conducting the test, acceptable birds for use in the test, and three approved judges from NAVHDA's Approved Judges List. Tests are registered and scheduled in advance with NAVHDA and are announced nationally to increase participation and recognition.

Where can I learn how to train my VHD?

NAVHDA International published training books and videos applicable to VHD breeds. The Greatland Chapter has members who are willing to offer demonstrations and advice on training issues. There are hundreds of books and magazines with reference or "how to" training information and advice. Professional trainers offer their services, typically at their location, which requires shipping or delivering your dog to the trainer.

Most importantly, the Greatland Chapter offers training clinics, handler's clinics, mock tests, field shoots and other training activities that are a benefit of membership, generally at very low cost.

What can I hunt with a VHD in Alaska?

In Alaska, dogs may be used to hunt and retrieve upland game birds and waterfowl. It is not currently legal to hunt game other than birds with dogs in Alaska. However, it just recently became legal to use a leashed dog, with a permit, to track wounded big game. The rationale is that using dogs trained for blood tracking decreases losses of wounded game and is therefore a contribution to conservation and sound game management. It was a member of the Greatland Chapter, Jenny Horstman, who contributed significantly to the campaign for this change with the Alaska Board of Game. In addition to the change to allow tracking, a separate initiative approved by the Board of Game allows the use of a light at night when tracking wounded game with a dog.

Blood tracking is a skill in the repertoire of a versatile hunting dog which is regularly tested in Europe but which is not typically done in NAVHDA tests in the US. It is a different skill, with different training techniques, from tracking wounded birds. Tracks are typically much older when the dog is released, and the dog is required to demonstrate one of two methods of informing the handler that the game has been found: either announcing the find with a distinctive bark, or by taking a leather pouch from its collar and returning it to his handler.

What breed of VHD should I buy?

As with any breed, many factors should be considered when making the decision to acquire a dog, whether you are purchasing from a breeder or adopting a dog from an animal shelter or a rescue organization. It is a tenet of many versatile hunting dog breeds, and their parent breed clubs, that VHD's should only be sold to people who intend to hunt with them, and who will commit to testing their dogs. Several breed organizations and their affiliated breeders have enforceable contract restrictions on breeding animals sold to individuals.

Among the versatile hunting dog breeds, there are subtle differences in temperament, birdiness, the speed and distance at which they range from the hunter, steadiness to flush, shot and fall, and other factors that may or may not suit your hunting style and the specific game you prefer to hunt.

Some VHD's, or lines within a breed, differ in their adaptability to harsh climate and thick brush, their receptiveness to training, and other factors that merit your discussing these issues with individual breeders prior to committing to a purchase.

Bear in mind that most dog owners will favor the breed of dog they own for the same reason they acquired it in the first place. The same applies to breeders. You may want to seek out dog owners who have handled and trained a variety of versatile hunting dogs to get a more balanced perspective on matching your desires to a specific VHD breed.

An excellent place to get a broad range of experience and advice on virtually all VHD breeds is the Greatland Chapter membership. Come to a chapter meeting or other event and strike up a conversation!