Rationale for the program

There are currently no NAVHDA qualified judges in Alaska. One of the hindrances to forming a Chapter in Alaska has been the cost of bringing in out-of-state judges for a local test, or the cost to a VHD owner of traveling to the Lower 48 to enter a dog in a Test.

With the formation of the Greatland Chapter in 2004, we now have the opportunity to develop local NAVHDA qualified judges, lower the overall cost of conducting tests, and provide opportunities for dogs to enter NAVHDA sanctioned Tests in the State of Alaska.

For those VHD owners living in Alaska who have aspired to be NAVHDA judges but could not afford the investment of time and money to travel to the Lower 48 at their own expense to gain the necessary experience, this program now provides that opportunity at far less cost.

Requirements for qualification

Chapter members who are interested in becoming NAVHDA qualified judges must follow a development track published by NAVHDA and administered by the NAVHDA Director of Judge Development. To enter the Apprentice Judge phase, you must first attend a Handler Clinic and take a dog through any of the NAVHDA-sanctioned tests with a minimum qualifying score (a Prize III or equivalent). You then apply for entry into the program using the form on the NAVHDA web site, and submit it directly to NAVHDA by mail.

Benefits of qualification

There are benefits to becoming a judge, both to the member and to the Chapter. You have the opportunity to travel to other Chapters to conduct Tests, and you provide the Greatland Chapter with a cost savings when we are not required to pay for as many judges from out of state when conducting Tests in Alaska.

Most importantly, there may be no better way to learn as much about dog training, various VHD breeds and the variety of handling techniques than to be "up close and personal" with as many dogs and handlers, good and otherwise, as you will be traveling around the country judging NAVHDA tests. This knowledge can be shared with the members of our local chapter as a means of improving our training skills and the quality of our dogs.

The process

If you are interested, you need to notify Jane Nelson, our Chapter Secretary. She is the interface between our Chapter and NAVHDA International for our judge development program. I would strongly encourage you to attend our Handlers Clinic on 7-8 August, and to take a dog through one of the Tests being held on 9-10 August. Then you'll have the two primary prerequisites taken care of. You'll need to be an Apprentice Judge at five Tests within three years (remember that each day of a multi-day event is a separate Test). You will be evaluated at each Test where you are an Apprentice Judge, and you are required to submit reports after each Test and at the end of each year describing your activities.

NAVHDA Reference

There is a complete description of the Judge Development program on the NAVHDA web site, along with all the necessary forms, at the NAVHDA Apprentice Judge Program page.

As a NAVHDA judge, you will be exposed to a large number of dogs and the wide range of breeds that are recognized by NAVHDA as versatile hunting dogs. You are likely to see dogs that cover the spectrum from "marginally suitable" to Versatile Champions that pass the annual NAVHDA Invitational. This experience will inevitably make you an exceptionally astute buyer when it's time to acquire your next pup. It's likely that you will settle on a specific breed that best suits your hunting preferences, and enable you to spot the "winner" in a litter of pups after you have selected a breeder.

In fact, the NAVHDA Natural Ability Test is designed to replicate the process a smart dog buyer really should put a breeder's pup through before making the final decision to buy.

Contribute to the promotion of Versatile Hunting Dogs

NAVHDA's approved Judges, Senior Judges and Clinic Leaders are NAVHDA's representatives in the field. These are the knowledgeable people who understand NAVHDA's principles and goals, the criteria by which versatile hunting dogs are judged and ultimately bred, and the strategic direction of the international organization. Judges are the sustaining force of NAVHDA, and are essential to the vitality of the organization. They help ensure the popularity and usefulness of the VHD breeds, and provide the critical link between local chapters and NAVHDA International.

There is no question that becoming a NAVHDA Judge will make you a much more informed and skilled owner and handler of your own versatile hunting dog. Seeing the results of exceptional training techniques (combined with exceptional dogs) and the results of "other" training methods cannot help but shape your own approach to training in a way that will produce the best possible hunting dog from whatever individual you select for your own hunting partner.