Hunt tests and titles · NAVHDA
North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association
Utility Test.
The finished versatile gun dog, proven: steady on land and water, reliable in the duck search, obedient throughout. The test the versatile world builds toward.
Who can run
No age restriction.
What the dog has to do
Steady through flush, flight, shot, and fall on land; steady and quiet by the blind through shots and a launched duck. Search for a duck, walking at heel, remaining by blind, retrieves of duck, shot bird, and dragged game. Stamina and obedience judged throughout.
How it is scored
Point-index system, 15 subjects. Maximum 204 points. Prize I 172 · Prize II 129 · Prize III 90. The duck search carries index 4, Prize I effectively demands a top mark there (16 of 16).
The subjects, and the numbers
| Subject | Scale | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Search for a Duck | 0–4 | Index 4 · max 16 |
| Walking at Heel | 0–4 | Index 2 · max 8 |
| Remaining by Blind | 0–4 | Index 2 · max 8 |
| Steadiness by Blind | 0–4 | Index 2 · max 8 |
| Retrieve of a Duck | 0–4 | Index 3 · max 12 |
| Search | 0–4 | Index 5 · max 20 |
| Pointing | 0–4 | Index 4 · max 16 |
| Steadiness on Game | 0–4 | Index 3 · max 12 |
| Retrieve of Shot Bird | 0–4 | Index 3 · max 12 |
| Retrieve of Dragged Game | 0–4 | Index 3 · max 12 |
| Use of Nose | 0–4 | Index 6 · max 24 |
| Desire to Work | 0–4 | Index 5 · max 20 |
| Stamina | 0–4 | Index 3 · max 12 |
| Cooperation | 0–4 | Index 3 · max 12 |
| Obedience | 0–4 | Index 3 · max 12 |
Source: NAVHDA rulebook (PDF), verified July 2026. KENAI restates nothing the rulebook does not say; the rulebook governs. NAVHDA website
The preparation sheet.
The standard, the subjects, and the week-before list on one page, built to print and take to the truck. We send it to the email you give, and you get the Weekly Read with it. Unsubscribe any time.
No spam, ever. Weekly, and only when there is something worth reading.
Your dog, against this standard.
The KENAI app keeps every training day and reads it against the UT: which subjects are covered, which are thin, what the next session should be. A read, never a prediction.
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