Versatile Hunting Dogs and Breeds
The North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association defines versatility as a dog that has been trained and bred to reliably hunt and point game, will retrieve on both water and land and also track and retrieve wounded game both on land as well as from the water.
What should a Versatile Hunting Dog Display in the Field
In the field, versatile dogs should exhibit a staunch pointing and the desire to search for, track and retrieve game in a 
cooperative manner and display the use of a fine nose. A versatile dog needs to further prove his independence, stamina and quality of nose by transferring his search for, and retrieving of game, to the water. NAVHDA’s testing program provides an opportunity for dogs to exhibit these characteristics while remaining obedient and in control at all times. True versatile dogs should perform all tasks with enthusiasm and be willing to work with, and for, their handlers.
The versatile breeds, as we know them today, are products of Europe. No distinctive versatile hunting breed has been developed in North America.
What is NAVHDA?
The North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association (NAVHDA) was founded 1969 in Goodwood, Ontario, Canada by a group of sporting dog enthusiasts, but is now based in Arlington Heights, Illinois, NAVHDA “is a nonprofit corporation whose purpose is to foster, promote, and improve the versatile hunting dog breeds in North America; to conserve game by using well trained reliable hunting dogs before and after the shot; and to aid in the prevention of cruelty to animals by discouraging nonselective and uncontrolled breeding, which produces unwanted and uncared for dogs.” The group has chapters in most states of the U.S. and provinces of Canada which sponsor testing and training programs.
The organization defines its work as a complement to the activities of sporting dog breed clubs and field trial organizations, created to supplement the activities of those clubs by providing a standard proven method of evaluating the performance that of all versatile hunting dogs, consistent with North American hunting practices, regardless of breed.
The NAVHDA organization defines what they describe as versatile dogs as “the dog that is bred and trained to dependably hunt and point game, to retrieve on both land and water, and to track wounded game on both land and water.” The group asserts that “The versatile breeds, as we know them today, are products of Europe. No distinctive versatile hunting breed has been developed in North America.”
At the present time, NAVHDA recognizes a studbook for the breeds listed below
Breed Names and most common abbreviations
BRACCO ITALIANO……………………… BI
BRAQUE D’AUVERGNE………………….. BA
BRAQUE DU BOURBONNAIS………….. BB
BRAQUE FRANCAIS……………………… BF
BRITTANY………………………………….. BS
CESKYFOUSEK……………………………. CF
DREBTSCHE PARIJSHOND…………………. DP
ENGLISH SETTER………………………… ES
FRENCH SPANIEL……………………….. FS
GERMAN LONGHAIRED POINTER…… GL
GERMAN SHORTHAIRED POINTER….. GS
GERMAN WIREHAIRED POINTER……. GW
GORDON SETTER………………………… GO
IRISH RED & WHITE SETTER…………. IR
IRISH SETTER……………………………….. IS
LARGE MUNSTERLANDER…………………. LM
PICARDY SPANIEL…………………………… PS
POINTER……………………………………….. PT
PORTUGUESE POINTER……………………. PO
PUDELPOINTER………………………………. PP
SLOVAKIAN WIREHAIRED POINTER……. SH
SMALL MUNSTERLANDER…………………. SM
SPINONE……………………………………… SP
STICHELHAAR……………………………….. ST
VIZSLA……………………………………….. VI
WEIMARANER……………………………….. WM
WIREHAIRED VIZSLA………………………. WV
WIREHARIED POINTING GRIFFON……… GR
If you are interested in more information or joining a training group in your area, contact NAVHDA to find a local chapter near you. Joining a new group can be intimidating, but just remember we were all there at one time. Get your dog and get out in the field to train, before your know it you can be experiencing the pleasure of hunting with an exceptional gun dog.
Joe Scarpy – HuntEmUp.com
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