When I picked up my puppy (Beaker- Small Munsterlander) four years ago from the breeder, she had asked that I test Beaker in the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association (NAVHDA) hunting test. The specific type of test is called the Natural Ability test, and as the name implies it’s an evaluation of a young dog’s (up to 16 months old) instincts/drive in a “hunting” environment. The judges are looking for many characteristics such as swimming, tracking a bird, how they react to a gunshot, cooperation and pointing (yes, it’s amazing to see young puppies come upon a bird hidden in the grass and freeze, they may not stay that way long, but that’s okay). Beaker did a great job, and after that experience, I was all in! NAVHDA offers other tests/evaluations for adult dogs. The tests are not a competition between dogs. This is you and the dog testing against a set of standards. This past weekend I tested Beaker (he’s 4 years old now) at the Iowa/Illinois NAVHDA chapter. The Utility Test entails a list of items that Beaker is scored on. This includes: search for duck, walking at heel, remaining at blind, steadiness at blind, retrieve of duck, search, pointing, steadiness, retrieve of shot bird, retrieve by drag, use of nose, desire to work, stamina, cooperation and obedience. I’ve run Beaker in the utility test a few times with him ending up with a prize 2, which is great but there were areas he could improve upon. This past weekend Beaker put it all together and ended up with a perfect score (prize 1). When a dog receives a prize 1, he/she qualifies for the NAVHDA invitational which is held annually in September. The testing site moves across the USA. Next year the test will be in Albuquerque, NM. Of course this test has another set of standards that must be met. If successful, a dog is given the title of “Versatile Champion.” I need to talk to Beaker and see if he’s interested in trying it (not sure I want to tell him there are rattlesnakes down there). We’ll see! Ultimately, you want a good hunting buddy that you are pleased with. Not all of this is needed to have a great hunting companion, but it gives you a framework of what your dog (and you since you're the trainer) can or might do if given the opportunity.