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Training/Testing |
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We hope that anyone considering a German Longhair for
their next dog is a hunter. We only sell to hunting homes. If non-hunters
bred longhairs, it would not be long before there would be longhairs born without hunting ability. We take pride in the
fact that nearly any longhair you purchase in this country is an
awesome gundog.
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We ask that each of our puppy buyers test their
longhair in hunting tests. While this may sound
scary at first, testing your dog is the best way to ensure a
talented hunting companion. If you have a test
coming up, you will complete more training with your dog than
someone who does not test a dog. Preparing for tests is what
taught us how to train our first hunting dogs. |
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At least one test is required for getting a German Longhair
certified for breeding, although two tests are preferred. The first test that a new longhair owner should complete is the Natural Ability Test.
It is a
fairly simple test where puppies up to 18 months of age will be asked to search a field,
point a game bird, and complete a pheasant track. These tests are
held year-round by the North American Versatile Hunting Dog
Association (NAVHDA; www.navhda.org)
and the Versatile Hunting Dog Federation (VHDF; www.vhdf.org).
The JGHV (German Testing System) also holds a natural ability test
(called the VJP) that is usually held in the spring.
The second test is an advanced hunting test. The
Utility Test (NAVHDA) or Advanced Hunting Aptitude Test (VHDF) can be
difficult and are for nearly finished
gundogs. Dogs are usually 18-36 months of age when they complete
these tests. These tests require your dog to point and hold steady to wing and flush, track
a feather drag (duck or pheasant), track a fur drag (cottontail or
jackrabbit), complete a blind duck retrieve, complete a live
duck search, and complete a marked duck retrieve (with a gunshot in
front of them). The majority of the tests focus on the trained
retrieve and steadiness in the field. |
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To qualify for breeding, all German Longhairs must
pass at least the natural ability test in one of three different
testing venues in North
America (to view other breeding regulations, please visit our Breeding
page). Please see the Links
page of this website to view these testing organizations and their addresses. |
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