04/28/2026
Sharing this on behalf the VHDF and Brush Dale Kennel. I ran all three of my dogs a year in this event and had a lot of fun. Definitely worth giving consideration. If you are struggling finding a NAVHDA NA, this is another option.
The Versatile Hunting Dog Federation test we're hosting at Brush Dale at the end of May (5/30 & 5/31) has a lot of openings! We'd very much appreciate you giving VHDF a try. The Central States VHDF is a new chapter. This will be our 2nd test, but without additional entries, we're going to have to cancel 😞
The VHDF HAE and NAVHDA NA "puppy" tests are identical.
The VHDF AHAE is somewhere between the NAVHDA GDT & UT. During the Advanced Hunting Dog Aptitude Evaluation, each dog is evaluated for the aptitudes of Nose, Search, Pointing, and Search behind a duck (tracking a duck across water and then searching for it) as well as having Desire and Cooperation evaluated during each of the specific test subjects. Further, each dog is tested in the trained subjects of Steadiness on Game, Retrieving on Land, Retrieving in Water, Blind Water Entry, and Retrieve by Drag, as well having Obedience evaluated during each of the specific trained test subjects.
The VHDF PE is somewhere between the NAVHDA UT and INV. During the Performance Evaluation, each dog is evaluated in the aptitudes of Nose, Search, Pointing, Search behind a duck, Water search without a duck, and Backing or honoring a bracemate's point. Further, each dog is tested in the trained subjects of Blind Water Retrieve, Steadiness on Game, Retrieving by Land, Water, and Drag, as well as having Desire, Cooperation, and Obedience evaluated throughout the entire test.
VHDF tests are usually pretty low key and a lot of fun. Dogs are scored on a 10-point system against a standard. Scores of 1-8 equate to scores 1-4 in NAVHDA (8=4, 7=3.5, 6=3, 5=2.5, 4=2, and so forth) and scores of 9 or 10 are awarded only for exceptional work. Therefore, the VHDF scoring system provides handlers with more detailed feedback on a dog's performance than does the NAVHDA scoring system. Prizes are not awarded.
Receiving a minimum of a 4 or 5 in all sections of the HAE or AHAE will meet the hunting test requirement for breeding qualification for most US Breed clubs.
To sign up, go to https://versatilehuntingdogfederation.wildapricot.org/event-6484368/Registration. HAE is $125 and AHAE/PE is $175. (You'll need a copy of your puppy's NAVHDA pedigree to register.)
