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Training/Testing 

     
   
Training/Testing       

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.
          
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.  

           
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.

       
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.  

         
 
                 
     
vom Coraschatten
German Longhairs bred for feather, fur, and family.