News Letter -TESTING YOUR DOG

NAVHDA chapters sponsor three kinds of tests:
ı The Natural Ability Test which is designed to
evaluate the inherent natural abilities of young dogs
and gain insight into their possible usefulness as
versatile gun dogs. It rates seven important inherited
abilities: nose, search, tracking, pointing, water,
desire and cooperation.
ı The Utility Preparatory Test measures the dogs’
development midway through their training toward
the Utility Test.
ı The Utility Test evaluates trained dogs in water and
field, before and after the shot, as finished versatile
hunting companions as well as many other specific
tasks.
To be truly meaningful, tests for versatile hunting dogs must
meet certain criteria. They must be conducted in an
environment which reflects actual hunting conditions and
situations. They must test the important qualities of a good
versatile dog. Judges must be knowledgeable, consistent and
objective. All testing and evaluation is to be within the context
of judging dogs as useful, productive hunting companions.
NAVHDA tests have been designed with these requirements
in mind. In addition, our record keeping provides an accurate,
complete performance evaluation on each dog tested The
results of these tests for specific breeds are available through
our Test Information Service.
In order to eliminate direct competition between dogs, entrants
in a NAVHDA test are judged one at a time, by three judges,
with their performance scored against a standard. The only
exception to this is the Invitational Test, in which dogs are
braced in the field so each dog can demonstrate his
willingness to back and work effectively with another dog.
Prizes are awarded on the basis of numerical scores achieved
in the test. Each dog that meets or exceeds minimum standards
in all areas of work is placed in one of three categories: Prize
I, II or III. Prize I being the highest classification. If all dogs
entered in a NAVHDA test perform well, all can receive a
prize.