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Versatile Hunting Dog Breeds
The breeds shown below are
those recognized by NAVHDA International as versatile hunting
dogs, and are the breeds that can participate in
NAVHDA-sanctioned Tests, gain entry into the NAVHDA stud book,
and be awarded NAVHDA Prizes.
For each breed below that is
owned by a member of the Greatland NAVHDA Chapter, the owner's
names are shown with a link for sending an eMail. Please feel
free to contact these members who will gladly share their
experience with the individual dogs(s) they own. This might be
helpful if you are considering acquiring a particular breed
based on reputation or appearance and you would like to gain
better insight into specific behavioral attributes and hunting
skills.


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German Shorthaired
Pointer (GS): In less than 50 years the German
shorthaired pointer has become one of this country's
most popular gun dogs. He earned that reputation
gradually--without fanfare or ballyhoo--on his own
merits. The shorthair is capable of a finished
performance in a variety of hunting situations. He
has a great nose along with much desire and ability,
coupled with speed, stamina, style and guts.
Intelligence and desire to please are two of his
most valued assets. He is a near-perfect all around
gun dog for the foot-hunter as he adapts his range
to the cover and the terrain. His versatility in no
way interferes with his companionship around the
home. His affectionate and playful nature make a big
hit with the kids, his intelligence and shorthaired
cleanliness is appreciated in the house.
Chapter members owning this breed:
Buck Kuhn, Ron Williams, Bud Goodnight, Jane & Pete
Nelson, Doug Koenig, Jon
Marcott
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German Longhaired
Pointer (GL):
The German Longhair
Pointer is a pointing spaniel. The roots of this breed
can be found in Medieval times. The German Longhair has
been an established breed for over 100 years and is
considered one of the continental / versatile
breeds. Traditionally, these dogs were used to locate
and point birds that were then caught with the use of a
net or with the assistance of a falcon. Today, longhairs
are still used to locate and point birds, as well as
retrieve shot game. Depending on the type and abundance
of game in a given area, the longhair is used for
hunting everything from ptarmigan and ducks to furred
game animals.
The German Longhair
is both a good field and water dog that excels at work
after the shot. Characteristics that originally
attracted many owners to the breed were their strong
pointing instinct and exceptional water work. Another
defining characteristic of the breed is a calm,
cooperative temperament. Longhairs work for their owners
and should be easy to train. The ability of GL's in the
field and water, along with their easygoing temperament,
makes them well-suited for hunting in North America.
German Longhair owners are proud of their good-looking
gun dogs that perform at a high level in the field or
the water, just as the breed was originally intended.
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German Wirehaired
Pointer (GW): GWP's trace their origins back about
120 years. They originated in Germany, where
breeders wanted to develop a rugged, versatile
hunting dog that would work closely with either one
person or a small party of persons hunting on foot
in varied terrain; from the mountainous regions of
the Alps, to dense forests, to more open areas with
farms and small towns. The breed the Germans desired
had to have a coat that would protect the dogs when
working in heavy cover or in cold water, yet be easy
to maintain. The goal was to develop a wire-coated,
medium sized dog that could:
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Search for, locate and point upland game
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Work both feather and fur with equal skill
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Retrieve water fowl
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Be a close-working, easily trained gun dog
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Be able to track and locate wounded game
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Be fearless when hunting 'sharp' game such as fox
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Be a devoted companion and pet; and
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Be a watchdog for its owners family and property.
Chapter members owning this breed:
Jenny Horstman, Michael Horstman, Jeff Daigneau, Judy Deaver,
Lee Renfrew, John Haddix, Greg & Rita Brenner, Keith Woodworth, Nicholas Van Wyck,
Peg Brawner, Glenn Hodge, Russ Jennings, Jason Sandidge
and Roger Hull
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Weimaraner
(WM):
Weimaraners are very energetic animals...they are
bred to hunt all day with their master. Changing
this behavior changes the essential Weim. If you can
not deal with this behavior, you should look at
other breeds less rambunctious!
Weims
are not soft mouthed like a Golden Retriever or
Irish Setter. They are still the game hunter and
some Weims have a low tolerance for small fur
bearing animals including cats and small dogs.
Changing this behavior again changes the basic
temperament of the dog.
Weims
can bark and if you are away from them too much and
they are left to themselves, Weimaraners are like
any other lonely dog, they will bark incessantly and
develop bad habits or try escaping their
surroundings.
Although
Weimaraners are hunting dogs, they do not like
living outdoors. They require your attention. They
are the true, loyal, hunting companions in every
respect, needing your friendship. Chaining a Weim
outside will not work!
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Vizsla (VI):
The Hungarian or Magyar Vizsla represents one of
the best in sporting dogs and loyal companions and
has a strong claim to being one of the smallest of
the all-round pointer-retriever breeds. His size is
one of the Vizsla's most attractive characteristics
and through the centuries he has held a unique
position for a sporting dog -- that of household
companion and family dog. The Vizsla is not content
to be "put in the kennel with the dogs" after the
hunt and only reaches his fullest capacity when he
is a member of the family he serves.
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Wirehaired Vizsla
(WV): They are
a relatively rare breed that is versatile, working
as well in water as on land, and are becoming popular as
a hunting dog due to their
steadfastness and quick learning ability. They
are also becoming popular with falconers as their
temperament appears to suit this discipline.
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Small Munsterlander
(SM): The
Small Munsterlander is for the most part easy to
train and makes a great family companion. Its
loyalty and affection are second to none. However it
must be remembered that this is an active and
intelligent breed so it naturally will require
adequate exercise and mental stimulation when fully
matured. This should include roadwork and swimming
when possible. Most importantly hunting, hunting and
more hunting. If left alone Small Munsterlanders
have been known to start hunting on their own.
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Large Munsterlander
(LM):
This
field dog characteristically is calm, gentle with
children and well adjusted to living in the master's
dwelling. The versatile characteristics of the LM
provide for a reliable companion for all facets of
hunting. A recent comparison of the scores of 82 LMs
with 104 other versatile breeds entered in NAVHDA
tests showed that the Large Munsterlander is a
versatile dog with a difference. On average, LMs
work closer and are more responsive to the handler
than other breeds although the LM's pointing
instinct matures later. The LM displayed greater
cooperation than other breeds and an excellent
concentration in the tracking and recovery of
crippled game birds. During search for game, most
LMs range 50-150 yards, depending on cover. Their
long and thick coat protects them against cold and
allows them to search dense cover thoroughly.
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Brittany (BS):
Brittany's can make
excellent family dogs and excel in many areas, but
they require personal attention every day, training
and most do not make good "kennel" or outdoor dogs
because of their personal devotion to their owner.
On the other hand, their medium size, wash-and-wear
coat, and happy, intelligent temperament make them
an ideal family dog. Brittany’s also make excellent
hunting companions or pets for single people. Most
get along very well with other dogs, and many love
the challenges of different types of competition.
Do not get any dog on impulse. If you are very
serious about getting a Brittany, you should be
willing "shop around" and/or wait for the right one
for your family and/or your needs and wants. These
are long-lived dogs (average 12-14) and you should
only get one with the intention of caring it for its
entire lifetime. The more time you put into your
dog's socialization and training, the more it will
give back to you.
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Pudelpointer (PP):
The idea behind this
breeding was to
combine the outstanding natural working abilities of two
great specialists in one dog:
The intelligence, water love, retrieving instinct,
easy trainability and willingness to please, wrapped
into the protective coat of the Poodle with the
unending desire to hunt, birdiness, pointing
instinct, field nose and endurance of the English
Pointer.
The Pudelpointer in its home country Germany, has
always ranked among the finest performers in tests
and in the field, and is sought by those who enjoy
and value a dog with desire and drive. Pudelpointers
are predominantly solid in color, from dark brown to
the color of autumn leaves, and occasionally black.
The ideal coat is harsh, wiry and dense.
Through its strict breeding guidelines, pups are
produced which are reliable on many different kinds
of game under varying conditions of terrain and
weather.
A sound temperament, as well as a style pleasing to
the eye, makes the Pudelpointer a great companion
both in the field and the home. They take to
training easily, despite their desire and drive.
Chapter members owning this breed:
Louis Mower
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Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
(GR): The Griffon is a very
people oriented dog known for its trainability and
high degree of cooperation. Although the Griffon has
a great love for the field and is an excellent
swimmer, it is equally at home in the obedience and
show ring. With its keen nose it is also a natural
at tracking. The fun loving side of its personality
enjoys agility training. The Griff's outgoing
personality makes it a wonderful family pet and
great with children. Overall, the Griffon is one of
the best-kept secrets in the Sporting Group and is
the ultimate VERSATILE hunting companion.
Chapter member owning this breed:
Roger Hull, Sher & Bruce Schwartz, Jenny Zwicker
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Spinone (SP):
The Spinone is a
large, rugged dog of distinctive appearance. He has
a distinctive head, with hanging ears and eyes
described as "human like." In body he is a
substantial, strong boned dog with a square build.
Everything about this breed indicates great strength
as well as stamina. This versatile breed is suited
for hunting in all climates and on all terrain. Its
harsh coat and thick skin protects it in the field,
water and freezing temperatures. It is an excellent
swimmer and a model retriever.
Chapter members owning this breed:
Kim Redding |
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Additional Breeds:
Other pointing breeds
are categorized as versatile dogs and have done well within the
NAVHDA training and testing system. Please note that only
pointing breeds registrable with the NAVHDA Registry are
eligible to enter NAVHDA tests. These additional breeds, with their NAVHDA
abbreviations, include the
following:

Bracco Italiano (BI) |
Braque d' Auvergne (BA) |

Braque du Bourbonnais (BB) |
Braque Francais (BF) |

Cesky Fousek (CF)
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English Setter (ES)
Chapter member owning this breed:
Roger Hull |
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French Spaniel (FP) |

Gordon Setter (GO)
Chapter member owning this breed: Roger Hull |
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Irish Red & White Setter (IR)
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Irish Setter (IS) |

Pointer (PT)
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Portuguese Pointer (PO)
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Slovensky Hrubosrsty Stavac (SH) |
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