| North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association |
About NAVHDA
About NAVHDA
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.
NAVHDA is organized on two levels:
The first level, NAVHDA International,
operates under bylaws approved by its
membership. These bylaws provide for
officers elected by popular vote who, together
with appointed directors, constitute an
Executive Council charged with furnishing
direction and guidance to NAVHDA programs.
The second level, are the local chapters of
NAVHDA, are the "grass roots" organizations,
which sponsor the training and testing
programs of which Western Illinois is one of
many sanctioned chapters throughout the
United States and Canada.
To learn more about NAVHDA, wherever you
see the NAVHDA logo on this site, just give it
a click and it will link you with NAVHDA!
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.
NAVHDA is organized on two levels:
The first level, NAVHDA International,
operates under bylaws approved by its
membership. These bylaws provide for
officers elected by popular vote who, together
with appointed directors, constitute an
Executive Council charged with furnishing
direction and guidance to NAVHDA programs.
The second level, are the local chapters of
NAVHDA, are the "grass roots" organizations,
which sponsor the training and testing
programs of which Western Illinois is one of
many sanctioned chapters throughout the
United States and Canada.
To learn more about NAVHDA, wherever you
see the NAVHDA logo on this site, just give it
a click and it will link you with NAVHDA!
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| German Shorthair Pointer |
| Asko will hold whatever he is asked to hold, can your dog do that? |
What I Have Learned About NAVHDA and Testing the Hard Way!
Almost six years ago, I first came to NAVDHA as a novice to learn how to train a new dog for hunting
the right way. If I was going to do it, I was going to do it the right way. I didn't want to have to redo
too much down the road. However, I soon learned that there are many right ways to train a dog.
However, along the way like my dog, I forgot some things. Whether you a veteran or new to NAVDHA
-- please NEVER ever forget these words:
I must confess I forgot that this past year and the real reason I came to NAVHDA in the first place; it
was to get a well trained dog for hunting, and that I have. I will forever be grateful to NAVHDA for that.
And I am grateful to some very "good friends" who reminded me about that before I went off into the
sunset, for that is what our chapter is all about.
It is true, some folks in NAVHDA will get more involved in the breeding end of things, but for the
most part I believe most of us need to remember that "we are doing what we are doing" in order to
enjoy God's vast creation with a hunting partner or two by our side.
Many can attest that my first dog was not the easiest of dogs to train, but with perseverance he did
Prize II in Natural Ability (NA). Naturally, I then half heartedly planned to take him to the next level to
the Utility Test (UT), but did not give it the consistent attention and training it deserved. Plus, I had
forgotten why I joined NAVHDA in the first place. After two failed UT's and a lot of heartache, I finally
remembered that it is all about Good Dogs...Good Friends...Good Times and that I have.
On an outing this year, it was my dog that stirred up a quail buried in inches of snow. It was my dog
that retrieved down birds. And it was my dog that hunted with me. For me, I now realize that I am in
NAVHDA not to get the credentials for breeding, but to train my dog(s) the best I can with my friends
and have a good time in the process. By the way, when you are in the woods no one asks for your
NAVHDA papers, including the birds, because hunting is about you and your dog.
I will be back this year with a new pup "Angel" (we will see) and my youngest son, to share with him
the joy of hunting with your best friend. And I I will remind him over and over again, the most
important lesson of all, that it is all about Good Dogs...Good Friends...Good Times!
Mark Gehrke and a very Lucky Dog
Webmaster/Columist
Almost six years ago, I first came to NAVDHA as a novice to learn how to train a new dog for hunting
the right way. If I was going to do it, I was going to do it the right way. I didn't want to have to redo
too much down the road. However, I soon learned that there are many right ways to train a dog.
However, along the way like my dog, I forgot some things. Whether you a veteran or new to NAVDHA
-- please NEVER ever forget these words:
I must confess I forgot that this past year and the real reason I came to NAVHDA in the first place; it
was to get a well trained dog for hunting, and that I have. I will forever be grateful to NAVHDA for that.
And I am grateful to some very "good friends" who reminded me about that before I went off into the
sunset, for that is what our chapter is all about.
It is true, some folks in NAVHDA will get more involved in the breeding end of things, but for the
most part I believe most of us need to remember that "we are doing what we are doing" in order to
enjoy God's vast creation with a hunting partner or two by our side.
Many can attest that my first dog was not the easiest of dogs to train, but with perseverance he did
Prize II in Natural Ability (NA). Naturally, I then half heartedly planned to take him to the next level to
the Utility Test (UT), but did not give it the consistent attention and training it deserved. Plus, I had
forgotten why I joined NAVHDA in the first place. After two failed UT's and a lot of heartache, I finally
remembered that it is all about Good Dogs...Good Friends...Good Times and that I have.
On an outing this year, it was my dog that stirred up a quail buried in inches of snow. It was my dog
that retrieved down birds. And it was my dog that hunted with me. For me, I now realize that I am in
NAVHDA not to get the credentials for breeding, but to train my dog(s) the best I can with my friends
and have a good time in the process. By the way, when you are in the woods no one asks for your
NAVHDA papers, including the birds, because hunting is about you and your dog.
I will be back this year with a new pup "Angel" (we will see) and my youngest son, to share with him
the joy of hunting with your best friend. And I I will remind him over and over again, the most
important lesson of all, that it is all about Good Dogs...Good Friends...Good Times!
Mark Gehrke and a very Lucky Dog
Webmaster/Columist
| Good Dogs...Good Friends...Good Times! |