"If there are no dogs in Heaven,
then when I die I want to go where they went."
Will Rogers

Training Clinic

June 8-10, 2012

The Greatland Chapter held a VHD field work training clinic led by Jon and Cindy Hann (Perfection Kennels) in Cantwell from June 8-10. The clinic covered basic training techniques and more advanced field skilols for VHD dogs and handlers.

Jon and Cindy are exceptionally skilled training instructors who have conducted these clinics across the country for many years. The techniques they teach would be valuable for anyone from beginning handlers with your first pup on through experienced handlers who are trying to refine your skills and those of your advanced, UT-ready dogs.

The size of the clinic was limited to 17 dogs, in order to ensure everyone a share of individual attention along with the group work.

The clinic was held in Cantwell, just south Denali Park on the Parks Highway. This let us split the loigistics burden evenly between our Anchorage-area members and folks from the Fairbanks area.

Don Holum arranged for the grounds, coordinated accommodations, and arranged for meals for the entire weekend which were prepared by Jay Parker and Gail Holum.

2013 NAVHDA Tests

The Greatland Chapter has made the commitment to hold a 2-day series of NAVHDA-sanctioned tests again this year. The tests will be held on Saturday and Sunday, 2-4 August, in Fairbanks. We have submitted the test fees to NAVHDA International and we have three judges already assigned to our tests.

We have 14 registrations, but there are a few slots available on both days for all three test categories (Natural Ability, Utility Preparatory and Utility). If you plan to run a dog this year, please submit your test registration fee as soon as possible.

Our test registration fees are higher than Chapters are able to charge in other states, as they have been in past years, but it is an unavoidable consequence of having no local judges and a limited number of tests each year. Over the past couple of years, thanks to superb efforts by several of our members in conducting fund-raising activities, we have begun to build a cash reserve that allows us a bit more flexibility in scheduling tests in advance of receiving the year's test registration fees.

Fees are as follows:

(Greatland Chapter Charter Members subtract $5)

Applications for tests must be made using the standard NAVHDA Test Entry form found on the NAVHDA web site at NAVHDA Forms. Please print and complete the form, then mail with the necessary supporting paperwork, along with your entry fee, to Judy Deaver, the Test Secretary.

The Chapter does zero-based budgeting every year. We only have enough cash reserves to keep a bank account open. Each year the tests we run are entirely funded by annual membership fees, test entry fees and donations from individual members. The cost of running a test is substantial. We pay our annual insurance premium to NAVHDA International, pay for the judges to travel to Alaska, pay a fee to NAVHDA for holding the test, pay for the birds, and pay for the grounds we use, along with incidentals like shells and bottled water. Many of those expenses are paid well in advance of the test weekend, and can't be refunded.

Please remember, to keep us from running into an unworkable financial situation, the entry fees we receive are non-refundable. If you do enter and, for any reason, you aren't able to run the dog in August, there are a few options.

• Consider the entry fee as a contribution to the Chapter and a scholarship for the other dogs that do run

• Run another dog that wasn't previously entered

• Find another handler and dog to run in your place, that weren't previously entered. We'll transfer the registration and the two of you can settle up between yourselves. We can probably change the test type, if necessary.

When we make the commitment to run the tests and pull the trigger on our expenditures, the non-refund rule applies even for a dog that dies, runs off or doesn't shape up quite like you expected during summer training. Trust me, it happens.

We'd like you to join the Chapter, but it isn't required. Your test fee is cheaper if you do.  The fees are listed on the form. It would sure help the Chapter if you did join.

We'd also like to see you join NAVHDA International, but that isn't required either. That membership gets you a good magazine, access to test scores and litter registration info, the privilege of being a Chapter officer and the opportunity to run your dog in the Invitational if it's accompanied by a UT Prize I score on your dog. I'd do it.

We appreciate the interest in participating in these tests, and the willingness to commit early enough in the year to let us get the logistics accomplished in time.

We are fortunate to have strong sponsorship support from NAVHDA's sponsorship partners like Purina, Sierra Trading Post, Tri-Tronics, Garmin, Cabela's and Ugly Dog Hunting. We trust that you have seen fit to patronize these folks throughout the year for your dog care, training and hunting needs.

Photo Books

Each year we produced hard-cover, illustrated books using photos taken of each dog and handler during the tests. We make them available to all the handlers at a price a little over the cost of production. We produce a book custom-tailored to each handler and dog, and one that covers the entire test with shots of every dog and handler and descriptions of the tests. The books sell reasonably well and provide a positive return as an addition to the Chapter's treasury. We'll plan to do the same thing at our 2013 tests, so you can expect to see a photographer tagging along at a distance during each event. Finished books will be available within a couple of weeks after the tests.

2011 NAVHDA Tests

2011 August tests ... success!

The Greatland Chapter held the 2012 NAVHDA-sanctioned tests in August as planned. We filled both days of tests with the maximum number of dogs allowed by NAVHDA, based on the combination of test types each day. The test entries were:

Friday, 5 August
Owner/Handler Dog Breed	Test Score			Owner/Handler Dog Breed	Test Score
Peggy Bensch Ozette German Shorthaired Pointer	NA 100/Prize III			Perry Corsetti Drummer Small Munsterlander	NA 105/Prize II
Owner/Handler Dog Breed	Test Score			Owner/Handler Dog Breed	Test Score
Michael Feigley Aikeeo Wirehaired Pointing Griffon	NA 99/Prize II			Jeff Daigneau Doc German Wirehaired Pointer	UT 182/Prize III
Owner/Handler Dog Breed	Test Score			Owner/Handler Dog Breed	Test Score
Jeff Alling Jake Small Munsterlander	UT 155/None			John Sarvis JayDee Small Munsterlander	UT 191/Prize II
Saturday, 6 August
Owner/Handler Dog Breed	Test Score			Owner/Handler Dog Breed	Test Score
John Haddix Sepp German Wirehaired Pointer	NA 112/Prize I			Yong Chun Beanie Wirehaired Pointing Griffon	UPT 121/None
Owner/Handler Dog Breed	Test Score			Owner/Handler Dog Breed	Test Score
Pere Davison Frankie German Shorthaired Pointer	UPT 119/None			Forrest Bolles Chance Small Munsterlander	UT 146/None
Owner/Handler Dog Breed	Test Score			Owner/Handler Dog Breed	Test Score
Jay Parker Fossil German Shorthaired Pointer	UT 173/Prize III			Jeff Alling Abby Small Munsterlander	UT 157/Prize III

The tests were held on Friday through Saturday, 5-6 August, 2011, at Falcon Ridge.

We had several sponsors for the event, which were a huge help in making the event happen.

We had 12 paid entries: 4 NA, 2 UPT and 6 UT representing four VHD breeds. We did the test day slotting to stay under the combined total for each test day that NAVHDA allows us to run.

We found it necessary to increase the fees for the tests to break even on the cost for judges, accommodations, birds, test registration and other unavoidable expenses. Thanks to all the handlers who stepped up to pay what is still a substantial savings over the cost of traveling Outside to test your dogs.

If you haven't entered the August Tests and would like to, the Test Entry Form is linked from the upper left corner of this page and here. Print it, fill it out and mail it with your check to Judy Deaver (address on the form).

Judy Deaver served again as Test Secretary, which is an enormous amount of work. She and Jeff Daigneau assisted with running the tests, and other served as field marshal, bird planters, gunners, snack and drink arrangers, raisers of ducks and other essential tasks. Many of you were asked to assist on a day when you weren’t running a dog … and it sure was helpful.

Thanks, and good hunting,

                Roger