The 2024 Spring and Fall Tests are Full. To be added to the waiting list, please email a completed entry form to our Test Secretary [email protected]
Guidance for Entering Our Tests:
An interactive Official Test Entry Form can be found at www.navhda.org.
Note: You will not be able to save the completed form.
The form can be filled out, printed, and mailed to our Test Secretary.
All dogs entered in NAVHDA tests must be NAVHDA registered and have a NAVHDA registration number. This number begins with two letters identifying the breed and is NOT a person’s NAVHDA membership number. Neither is it a number issued by any other registry.
In order to test within the NAVHDA system, all owners, co-owners and handlers of dogs must be NAVHDA members in good standing. All owners and co-owners must be listed on the test entry along with their membership numbers and membership expiration date. This information is available for viewing in the membership roster on NAVHDA.org Please check the pedigree of your dog on the NAVHDA.org website to see who is listed as an owner or co-owner before you send in the test entry.
Fees: NA – $140, UPT/UT – $165
Dogs are eligible for the Natural Ability Test up until, and including, the day they reach sixteen months of age.
Mail the completed form, along with a check payable to Merrimack Valley Chapter of NAVHDA to:
Joanna Korte – Test Secretary
95 Pointe Trinity Dr.
Strafford, NH 03884
Completed entry forms must be mailed and postmarked no sooner than February 15 of each calendar year, for either the spring or fall tests.
If you wish to pay your Test Entry fee via credit card and email your entry form, click here to go to our credit card payment page. Complete step 4 only and proceed to check-out to complete your payment.
In filling out the form, it is important to know that the dog needs to be registered with NAVHDA.
The dog’s registered name is to be found on the NAVHDA Pedigree. His or her “Call Name” is what you call the dog at home. Please re-enter the “call name” at the very bottom of the form, as we will use this name when publishing the running order.
Owner’s membership # is found on the mailing label of the Versatile Hunting Dog Magazine, just above your name. It is a six-digit number.
You will be notified of the date and your running order thirty days in advance of the test date. Running orders will be determined based upon the different types of tests dogs are registered for. The test secretary will do their best to accomodate specific requests for test dates.
Please note that test entrants are expected to volunteer during one of our test days (spring or fall) on a day for which they are not running a dog. Please take due notice and plan accordingly.
We are not affiliated with AKC, so please do not use their Registration numbers. (You may, however, have the judge sign certain AKC papers at the end of the test day.)
Your entry fee will only be refunded for the following reasons:
(1) A medical condition arises for either the dog or handler, which will be backed up by a doctor’s or veterinarian’s note.
(2) We are notified at least 4 weeks prior the the test date that the dog is being pulled, and there is a replacement entry on the waiting list to fill that spot.
(3) You are on the waiting list and have previously paid, but there are no openings for you to test your dog.
There are no substituting dogs. If you pull a dog, but want to run another, and the test is full, you will be placed at the bottom of the waiting list.
If you need to register your dog, or become a member of NAVHDA International, you can do so by calling the main office at 847-253-6488 or email [email protected]. All needed forms and instructions can be found at www.navhda.org.
In order to make it easier for our test secretary, please fill out the form with care and attention to detail.
On the Day of the Test
If you are registered for a test, please follow the instructions, including the arrival and start times for the test, which will be emailed to you by the Test Secretary. Prior to the test, the judges will give instructions and the final running order. If you are late for the test you may lose your spot.
Please drive slow on the roads into the test sites. 15 mph. We need to be respectful of the people that live there.
For More Information on Tests and Testing
Test Secretary – Joanna Korte | Director of Testing – Jim Jiottis
NAVHDA Conducts four levels of tests:
- Natural Ability: 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. It rates seven important inherited abilities: nose, search, tracking, pointing, water, desire and cooperation.
- Utility Prep Test: designed to evaluate the dog midway in its training towards becoming a reliable versatile gun dog.
- Utility Test: designed for more experienced dogs in an advanced state of training. It evaluates their ability to perform as reliable versatile gun dogs and demonstrates their physical and mental capability to take training.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.
- Invitational Test: the flagship of NAVHDA tests. The Invitational Test is our highest level of testing. Only dogs who have achieved a Prize I in Utility are eligible. This limits the entry to only those exceptional animals that have demonstrated superior skill and obedience and tests their skills in advanced work.
More detailed information about NAVHDA tests can be found in the NAVHDA Aims, Programs, Test Rules booklet.
Local Area Hotels and Campgrounds and Emergency Vet
Here is a small list of pet friendly area hotels and campgrounds. Although they say they are pet friendly, it is recommended to call ahead to verify. They are located approximately 10 to 15 minutes drive from our test grounds.
Best Western Concord Inn
97 Hall St.
Concord, NH 03301 1-603-228-4300
http://bestwesternnewhampshire.com
Comfort Inn Concord
71 Hall St.
Concord, NH 03301 1-603-226-4100
http://www.comfortinn.com/hotel-concord-new_hampshire-NH019
Residence Inn Concord
91 Hall St.
Concord, NH 03301 1-603-226-0012
Mile-Away Campground
41 Old West Hockington Road
Henniker, NH 03242 1-603-428-7616
http://www.mileaway.com
Capital Area Veterinary Emergency Service 24hrs.
1 Intervale Rd. (Exit 1 off Rte. 393, straight at light)
Concord, NH 03301 1-603-227-1199
http://www.capareaves.org