Northern Michigan Chapter
North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association

Miscellaneous Information

Sanctioned NAVHDA Testing

The Northern Michigan Chapter of NAVHDA sponsors at least one, and in some cases two, tests during the course of its training season.

Only NAVHDA registered dogs are allowed to test.

Dogs are evaluated in both field and water work. In NAVHDA tests, all dogs compete against a standard, not against one another. Utilizing three judges for each test, each dog that meets or exceeds minimum standards in all areas of work is placed in one of three categories: Prize I, II or III. Prize I being the highest classification. If all dogs entered in a NAVHDA test perform well, all can receive a prize.

While there are four levels of testing within the NAVHDA organization, only three occur at the chapter level. These three happen to be called the Natural Ability Test (NA), Utility Preparatory Test (UPT), and the Utility Test (UT). The final test is called the Invitational, which unsurprisingly requires an invitation to attend. This event is held every other year with its location changing each time.

The Natural Ability Test is intended to demonstrate the inherent abilities of the dog and is limited to dogs sixteen (16) months of age or less. The Utility Preparatory Test is an intermediate test designed for more advanced dogs midway through their training. The remaining local event, the Utility Test, is for the fully finished dog. Those dogs receiving a Prize I in the Utility Test, are invited to the NAVHDA Invitational. It is at the Invitational that dogs have the opportunity to earn their Versatile Champion (VC) designation.

The 2008 test fees for the Northern Michigan NAVHDA Chapter of NAVHDA are:

Test entry forms are available by clicking on this link.

Our tests will be held on Glen Noonan's farm and on the east side of his private lake called Polack Lake. This test site is located west of Traverse City. From the intersection of M-22 and West M-72 (also called East Traverse Highway), it is 12.49 miles and on the north side of the road. The home directly to the west of Polack Lake has the address of 1400 West Traverse Highway. The web link for a map is: http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?latlongtype=internal&addtohistory=&latitude=CqMqKO0ACjFtTT%2bjfHm2xw%3d%3d&longitude=IMOrLTz95OBfBMc%2f7k7d8Q%3d%3d&name=Polack%20Lake&country=US&address=&city=Maple%20City&state=MI&zipcode=&phone=&spurl=0&&q=polack%20lake&qc=Lake

You have gone to far if the road turns 90 degrees to the north. Just set your trip meter and look for a Purina banner or NAVHDA sign at 12.49 miles out. Because it is a private lake there will not be any signage saying Polack Lake.

Training Days

The Northern Michigan Chapter usually holds informal training days on Saturdays, beginning at 8:00 a.m. Generally a pot luck lunch is served, with members bringing grills, hamburgers, hotdogs, and beverages, etc. Training days usually last until 4:00 p.m. or 5:00 p.m., depending upon afternoon temperatures, and are held on Norm Licht's property. Specific days and the focus of the respective sessions are announced throughout the course of the season.

Norm has graciously agreed to allow club members the use of his property for informal training days on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The property is generally available for use beginning in April or May and continuing through the end of August. Like always, please respect Norm's property; do not drive around his gate and do not leave any trash or training debris on the grounds when you leave.

Formal training days may have a nominal per participant fee depending upon the topic and/or expenses of the day. Currently, there is no charge for informal training days.

Directions to Norm Licht's Property

Norm's property can be reached by:

• heading West on Front Street to Cedar Run Road,
• continue heading West on Cedar Run Road,
• go past the Cedar Hills Golf Course about 1.5 miles, and
• on the South side of the road will be an open field (on the front end) with a silver pipe swing gate; this is Norm's property.

Additionally, a map (not to scale) is available if so desired.

Training Resources

A canoe is available for member use on the training grounds' small lake. Furthermore, the chapter has purchased additional training aids such as: dummies, bird launchers, bird harnesses, check cords, bird bags, "whoa" table, shotguns for blanks, etc. These items are available for on-property use by club members.

Game birds are not kept by the club, but may be purchased at reasonable rates from the following area breeders:

Breed Abbreviations

The following breed abbreviations are used throughout NAVHDA communication materials:

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