How to Sign Up for a NAVHDA Natural Ability Test
Overview
- The national organization, North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association (NAVHDA), requires that all dogs who test be registered with NAVHDA. All Stella Del Nord puppies are already registered with NAVHDA. You received a NAVHDA Certificate of Registration and Pedigree in the papers that came with your puppy. This document has your dog’s Registration number, which begins with “SP” as shown here. You will need this number for the Test Entry Form.
- You, as the handler, also need to join NAVHDA to get a NAVHDA membership number. You will need your membership number to sign up for a Natural Ability test, so join ASAP. The membership number will come in a confirmation email and then with printed membership materials and a copy of the Aims, Programs and Test Rules by US mail.
- When you have your dog’s registration number and your membership number, you can enter your dog for a Natural Ability Test. Local NAVHDA chapters host the tests so, while the Test Entry Form is standard and the test itself is standard, the chapters have small differences in how they administer the sign up. For example, some chapters give preference to their members’ test entries and add outside entries if there are open spots. It is best to go to the website for the local chapter to understand their practices. You can enter tests at multiple chapters.
- Note that your dog CANNOT be over 16 months (1 year and 4 months) on the day of the NA test to qualify for a prize. Your dog’s birthday is the whelping date on the NAVHDA Certificate of Registration and Pedigree see below.
Local NAVHDA CHAPTERS and Test Dates
Listed below are some chapters where Stella del Nord dogs have tested for NA and chapters relatively close to your homes. Their published test dates and deadlines are included as of 2/9/2025. BEST PRACTICE is to check ALL currently approved NA test dates for NAVHDA Chapters, using the NAVHDA Test Calendar where you can sort by date of test, state or chapter name. Please note that test dates get added periodically so it is best to check the calendar. Typically local chapters have a Spring and a Fall test session.
MAINE
June 6–June 8
Lottery deadline for June test is February 9, 2025. Members have preference in the lottery.
September 5–7 (no details available for sign up yet. Check Yankee website)
August 23-24
1423 New County Road, Dayton, Maine
June 6–8
August 23–24
1014 Village Road, Smithfield, Maine
NEW HAMPSHIRE
May 31–June 1
Sharpe’s Farm Training Area, Little Frost Road, Hopkinton, New Hampshire
Accepting entries beginning 2/15/25. Test entries are accepted on a first come, first served basis.
CONNECTICUT
May 31–June 1
September 20-21
Quail Ridge Preserve & Kennels, 120 Sartori Rd, Stafford Springs, CT
DELAWARE
May 17–18
September 23–24
872 C and R Center Rd, Felton, DE
NEW YORK
May 17–18
September 23–24
6597 Fairgrounds Road, Byron NY
June 6–7
August 29–31
Two different sites in Gansevoort, NY
June 21–22
37355 Clayton Center Road, Clayton, NY
PENNSYLVANIA
There are a lot of tests in PA from April through September. Too many to list, BUT they make it so easy for you to go to the NAVHDA Test Calendar, sort by state and take a look at Pennsylvania. Tests dates for each local chapter are listed and chapter sites linked so you can find more info about them.