NAVHDA TESTING
SEMI NAVHDA TEST INFORMATION
All SEMI NAVHDA Tests are held at the Highland Field Trial Grounds in Highland Michigan. Test weekends can consist of Natural Ability, Utility Preparatory and Utility Tests. There are two 3-day test weekends held each year. Test dates will be announced to members in a newsletter/email in February for the coming year, as well as entered into the NAVHDA International calendar.
2025 TEST DATES:
May 30th, 31st and June 1st
August 22nd, 23rd and 24th
ENTRY COSTS:
Natural Ability: $175
Utility Prep: $200
Utility: $200
Entering a Test:
Click on this link to fill out the NAVHDA Test Entry Form
E-mail the completed form to seminavhdatest@gmail.com or
Mail the completed form to: SEMI NAVHDA TESTING C/O Dale Bolyard, 3282 Herrington Dr, Holly MI 48442
Once an entry form has been submitted, the Director of Testing will contact you by email to arrange payment if there is a spot open in the test or to let you know what your place is on the waiting list if the test is full.
SEMI NAVHDA will accept payments in the form of credit cards, checks, and/or cash.
Please become familiar with the SEMI NAVHDA Test and Cancellation Policies linked HERE.
All information on the entry form must be correct for your entry to be valid. If it is incorrect, the Director of Testing will reject the form and ask you to send in a new completed form.
Contact information on the entry form will be used to contact the owner and/or handler regarding the payment and test itself.
Test Spots are NOT saved.
The only way to enter the test is to submit a completed entry form.
The only way to confirm your spot in the test is to submit payment.
The day you request to run your dog is not guaranteed. We do our best to accommodate everyone’s request, but spots are limited each day. You will know what day and at what course you are running roughly 3-4 weeks in advance of the test.
Running order for the day of the test will be announced the morning of the test as handlers arrive.
All communication concerning the test itself will be done by email.
The Day of the Test
Test days are long. Volunteers will show up on the grounds at 7 am and handlers are expected there shortly after. Normally the test starts around 8 am and can run into late afternoon, making for a very long day. Please prepare accordingly. It is probably easier to predict what your dog will do than it is to predict the Michigan weather so keep that in mind for every test. The test will go on if it rains. During the day there will be lunch along with water and drinks provided for a small donation. After scores are read, feel free to stick around and celebrate with the chapter volunteers and other handlers.
Keep in mind that there can be a long wait between your time to run in portions of the test. Your Field Marshal can direct you to the areas where you can walk your dog while you wait for your turn. There is a pavilion for you to sit under and there is an outhouse, along with a well pump at each course. There are also water tubs placed in the field during the test to help cool your dog down.
Suggested Items to Bring to a Test Day
Waterproof boots, along with a spare pair of boots
Chair
Rain Jacket
Bug Spray
Sunscreen
Blaze Orange Hat or Vest
Spare clothing
Dog Grooming Tools (scissors, comb, brush, tick comb, etc.)
Extra dog leash
Water bottles for the dog in the field
The Dog’s NAVHDA Pedigree (A judge will sign off on your score for the day if you would like)
Extra drinks such as water, Gatorade, coffee
Snacks
Portable Fan with extra batteries for the dog
SEMI NAVHDA and NAVHDA International are volunteer organizations. Chapter members give their time to help hold a great test day for you to showcase your dog. Judges volunteer their entire weekend away from their own family and dogs to be there. A test weekend for SEMI NAVHDA regularly requires upwards of 40+ volunteers including judges to run a test weekend. Please treat them all with the respect you would expect for yourself. Every chapter always needs more volunteers, so do not be afraid to put yourself out there to learn, we all started at the same spot.
NAVHDA CONDUCTS 4 LEVELS OF TESTS:
NATURAL ABILITY
As the name implies, the Natural Ability (NA) test is designed to evaluate young dogs on their inherent natural abilities with a view to gaining insight into their possible future value as versatile gun dogs. The NA test is organized into 4 main segments or phases, as follows:
Field Phase - each dog is hunted for a minimum of 20 minutes and is scored or evaluated on Use of Nose, Search, Pointing, Desire, Cooperation, and Gun Shyness.
Tracking Phase - each dog is judged on Use of Nose, Tracking, Desire to Work, and Cooperation.
Water Phase - during the water test, the dogs are judged on Water Entry, Desire to Work, and Cooperation.
Physical Characteristics - Recognizing the fact that a long useful life and ease of performance are enhanced by a sound body and protective coat, dogs should be evaluated for physical soundness but will not be considered in awarding prizes.
THE UTILITY PREP TEST (UPT)
Utility Preparatory Test is just what the name implies. It is a test midway between the Natural Ability Test and the Utility Test. The dog's level of obedience and training should demonstrate that it is on its way to becoming a Utility dog.
The Utility Prep Test (UPT) is divided into 2 groups:
Water Group - includes Water Search, Walking at Heel, Steadiness by Blind, and Retrieve of a Duck.
Field Group - includes Search, Pointing, Steadiness on Game, Retrieve of Shot Bird and Retrieve of Drag.
Throughout the UPT test the following areas are also judged: Use of Nose, Desire to Work, Cooperation, Obedience, and Physical Attributes.
UTILITY TEST
The Utility Test is designed to test a hunting dog's usefulness to the on-foot hunter in all phases of hunting both before and after the shot, in field and marsh, and on different species of game. A dog that successfully completes the Utility Test will have demonstrated that he is a master, or at the very least a good, solid, and reliable journeyman.
The Utility Test (UT) is also divided into 2 groups:
Water Group - Search for a Duck, Walking at Heel, Remaining by Blind, Steadiness by Blind, and Retrieve of a Duck.
Field Group - Search, Pointing, Steadiness on Game, Retrieve of Shot Bird, and Retrieve of Dragged Game.
Throughout the UT test, the dog is also evaluated on Use of Nose, Desire to Work, Cooperation, Stamina, Obedience, and Physical Attributes.
This test is a challenging and demanding one, as befits the NAVHDA aim of "fostering, improving, promoting and protecting the versatile hunting dog in North America."
INVITATIONAL TEST
at present the "Invitational" is NAVHDA's highest-level test. Designed to evaluate an exceptional hunting dog for superior ability, versatility, and obedience in all phases of work and a variety of hunting situations. Dogs successfully completing the Invitational Test with a passing score clearly demonstrate exceptional skill, ability, and obedience. Only dogs who have earned a Prize I score in the Utility Test will be "invited" to run at the Invitational Test.
For more information on NAVHDA's test criteria and rules, you can order the AIMS Programs and Test Rules book at www.navhda.org