NAVHDA TESTS

Testing With Kettle Moraine NAVHDA

We encourage every versatile gun dog to be NAVHDA tested, as these tests give great insight into where your dog’s hunting abilities are at and serves as the foundation for improving our versatile breeds.  These tests are qualitative evaluations of proven performance standards in simulated hunting conditions.  

We welcome any/all NAVHDA members to join us in the tests that we host as handlers, volunteers or spectators.  We are sure you will have a pleasant experience!

Kettle Moraine NAVHDA offers Natural Ability (NA), Gun Dog Test (GDT) and Utility Test (UT) tests annually.

For more information about NAVHDA testing, visit the NAVHDA International website.

The new Gun Dog Test (GDT) section in the NAVHDA Aims & Rules can be found HERE.

Test Registration Dates

Test Registration will start January 1, 2025 for active Chapter Members

Test Registration will open February 1, 2025 to the General Public

2025 Kettle Moraine NAVHDA Test Dates

June 7 & 8, 2025 | TEST FULL – WAITLIST ONLY

July 12 & 13, 2025 (double test weekend) | UT/GDT TEST FULL – Waitlist Only, NA TEST – LIMITED SPOTS

August 16 & 17, 2025 | TEST FULL – WAITLIST ONLY

2025 Kettle Moraine NAVHDA Test Entry Fees

Natural Ability: $175 (+ Processing Fees)

Gun Dog Test and Utility Test: $225 (+ Processing Fees)

Test Eligibility:

All dogs entered in NAVHDA tests must be registered with NAVHDA.  This registration number can be found on your dog’s pedigree, or can be searched in the NAVHDA Registry Database.  

All owners and handlers must be current members of NAVHDA International.

Dogs are eligible for Natural Ability testing up to and including the day they reach 16 months and 0 days of age.  Dogs over 16 months of age may be run for evaluation only, if space is available.  No prize classification can be awarded to a dog run for evaluation.

There is no age restriction for the Utility or Gun Dog Test.

Test Entry Procedure:

Option 1 (PREFERRED): Submit Test Entry online via NAVHDA Member Portal

  1. Once testing dates are published to NAVHDA International, test entry requests can be submitted via NAVHDA Member Portal.

Click HERE for a guide on submitting a test entry through the NAVHDA International Member Portal.

Option 2: Submit Form to Test Director

  1. Download a current TEST ENTRY FORM from the NAVHDA website.
  2. Save the form to your computer.
  3. Completely fill out the form with dog, owner, and handler information.
  4. Email the electronic completed form to the Director of Testing at kmnavhdatestsecretary@gmail.com
  5. If a test spot is available, you will receive a return email with a payment link for the appropriate test entry fee.  You will have 72 hours to pay the entry fee in order to secure a position in the test.  Electronic payment (credit card, PayPal or Venmo accepted) is preferred.
  6. Upon confirmation of your eligibility and payment, a confirmation email with test details will be sent to you.
  7. Test date is typically assigned 2-3 weeks prior to test date.  We strive to test as many dogs as possible during our testing season, but do attempt to accommodate test date preferences.
  8. Notification of cancellation of test entries should be communicated as soon as possible to the Director of Testing by email, phone or text (Brianne Miller, 608-774-9903).

Test Entry Cancelation and Refund Policy:

Test entry fees will be ONLY be refunded when following the below criteria.

Test entry fees will be issued a full refund if canceled more than 30 days before the test weekend OR at any time if there is a medical exemption for the handler/dog.

100% of the test entry fee will be refunded if a request is submitted, in writing by email, to the Test Director accompanied by a verifying letter from a physician or veterinarian stating that the dog or handler should not participate in a test for medical reasons. 

No refunds will be issued if a test entry is cancelled within 30 days of the test weekend.

General Test Day Events Schedule

  • 6:00AM – All handlers arrive at testing grounds (this is a good time to exercise your dog before testing)
  • 6:45AM – Instructions from the Judging Team
  • 7:00AM – Testing begins promptly
  • Lunch Break
  • 3:00PM – 4:00PM – Testing concludes (approximate)

Lunch

On test days, the Chapter will be providing the main dish served for lunch for all judges, apprentices, volunteers, handlers and spectators.  We do ask that owners/handlers plan to bring a dish to pass on the day you are running your dog.  A lunch email will be sent separately assigning items closer to test day. 

Dogs

We expect that you will provide safe and comfortable housing for your dog throughout the day. 

  • Dogs are to be leashed or kenneled when not testing to prevent dangerous situations or interference with the test.
  • Please do not approach other dogs without the owner’s permission.
  • We test rain or shine, so watch the weather forecast for your test day!
    • Test days can be hot with minimal/moving shade in the parking area, especially by the Leased Test Grounds on Arrow Lane and at Dundee.  Plan to bring water and a bowl for your dog (there is no running water near the testing area) and consider battery operated fans and/or pop-up tents to provide additional shade/cooling if temperatures will be high on test day.
  • Outdoor seating is limited, so please bring your own folding chair if you would like a place to sit during testing. 
  • A port-a-potty will be available on-site for test day.
  • We cannot accommodate camping or trailers at our Chapter testing grounds for handlers/owners or spectators.  Occasionally, you may notice campers at the test weekends to accommodate some judges to keep costs minimal for the Chapter to host tests.

Bring your dog’s pedigree to the test as the judges will be available (and more than happy) to sign it and indicate the test score your dog receives that day.

Test Day Locations

Chapter Grounds

Most of our testing is held at the Chapter’s LEASED GROUNDS in Lomira, WI. 

Address: Weigand Farm, N1122 Arrow Lane, Campbellsport, WI 53101. 

Directions: From Interstate 41, Exit Hwy 67 and go East on HWY 67 towards Campbellsport. Just under 2 miles will be a Right hand turn of Hwy 67 onto Arrow Lane. Follow Arrow Lane to the end, and you will see Bird Pens. Follow gravel road as it goes between house and metal building as it meanders between fields to parking area.

Kettle Moraine NAVHDA Chapter – Utility Test Grounds

*UT HANDLERS PLEASE NOTE*

In 2024, the Wisconsin DNR posted signs at Kettle Moraine State Forest Dog Training Areas that a Wisconsin State Park System Vehicle Admission pass is required for use of these training areas. We have been in contact with the DNR for clarification, since this has not been required in the past, nor is it noted on our permit to hold special events at these locations.

In order to comply with posted regulations, here is the website to purchase a state parks pass (Resident/Non-Resident annual and daily passes are available):  https://yourpassnow.com/ParkPass/wi

Please come prepared so that you are allowed to test without interference.

Utility and Gun Dog Test Grounds can also be held at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Kettle Moraine State Forest Dog Training Grounds on Sheboygan County Hwy U, just East of Hwy A. 

Utility Duck Search is held at a dog training water area that we call “Dundee”.  These links are provided to familiarize yourself with the area. 

AREA PLACES TO STAY

AmeriHost Inn & Suite: 645 East Avenue, Lomira, WI (920-269-7477)

AmericInn: 2424 W. Washington Street, West Bend, WI (262-334-0307)

Microtel Inn: 920 S. Military Road, Fond du Lac, WI (920-929-4000)

Podcasts

Link to Ron Boehme’s Hunting Dog Podcast with Phil Swain – NAVHDA’s NA Test with Phil Swain

Link to Ron Boehme’s Hunting Dog Podcast with Phil Swain – NAVHDA’s Utility Test

Link to Ron Boehme’s Hunting Dog Podacst with Blaine Carter – NAVHDA’s Utility Test w/Blaine Carter