Wingshooting USA Ep. 81 NAVHDA Invitational Test

The best hunting dogs in the country are challenged at the Invitational Test of the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association. Canine athletes compete against a standard that requires search, point, back, retrieve, and honor … on land and water. Owners and dogs face the ultimate hunting situations as well as heat and humidity and we’re there to cover it.
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[@benwarner8995]

I've always wanted to see how good an invitational dog has to be. Now I know. Thanks Scott! That setter was extra special since I've never seen a setter water retrieve like that!

[@ScottLindenOutdoors]

Glad you like it.

[@glennstone2701]

Well done! Enjoyed the show very much.

[@ScottLindenOutdoors]

Thanks.

[@cortneyschaefer9509]

This is a nice representation of the Invite. It is s fun and challenging test to run a dog in. But I disagree about it being "the most grueling test in GunDog sport". That title definitely belongs to the VGP....where it takes 2 days to test 4 dogs in 26 different GunDog subjects.

[@ScottLindenOutdoors]

Toe-may-toe, toe-mah-toe. I understand but used the phrase within the context of what most dog owners in the U.S. find relevant most of the time for most of their dogs.

[@cortneyschaefer9509]

Just wanted to point it out for folks who aren't familiar with the German system. There were 56 dogs that ran in VGPs last year (compared to the 91 that ran in the NAVHDA Invitational). So there are plenty of American dog owners who find field work, water work, AND forest work relevant. I don't want to argue as I've run a dog in the Invite and plan to do it again in the future. Its a fun atmosphere with a great group of folks. I just hope folks realize that even the Invitational does not display all that our versatile dogs are capable of. They can do even more!

[@outdoorrn2980]

@@cortneyschaefer9509 ...who cares about the German system?...I live and hunt in America.

[@cortneyschaefer9509]

@@outdoorrn2980 If you enjoy dogs bred for upland birds (and light waterfowling) with a focus on work before the shot, American dogs can be great. The JGHV (German system) is for people who want to maximize their hunting opportunities with healthy, fast-maturing, easy-to-train dogs capable of pursuing game before and after the shot in the field, water, and woods. If you'd like to attend a VGP (German finished dog test), please let me know.

[@ernies7174]

Have no idea how many times Ive copied and pasted this to show peope the first 3:20 to explain to them what my dog does. She's not a trials dog but awesome vid

[@davidrquinones]

Awesome dogs especially the Jets Fan

[@dogstar8871]

curiously, lot of NAVHDA proponents in various bird dog groups, but when one tries to make the case for steady till released to retrieve, hear so often how they'll lose too many birds that way - would like to hear from a pro, a discussion of the sense of it, since steady to shot is all that's required to be safe - or, other than courtesy and style, why the banking dog shouldn't go for the retrieve as well - 2 dogs stand a better chance of finding a downed bird (or birds) than does one - not a polemic, just want to know

[@ScottLindenOutdoors]

Good question Sirius ... and the perennial topic among dog folk. Three reasons. First, read the NAVHDA green book for more detail. 1) What if there's more of the covey still holding? Your dog racing through breaks them up. 2) A dog standing still gets a better look at where a bird fell. 3) Besides common courtesy and respect/reward for the pointing dog (versus the honoring dog), letting two dogs go for the retrieve is an invitation to a dog fight. Oh, and 4) How do you know everyone else is done shooting at late risers when you let your dog break on the flush or first shot? Just sayin'.

[@dogstar8871]

@@ScottLindenOutdoors - thanks, as to the points 1) absolutely - even on a wild flush, I insist on stop to flush - then I'll load and move up looking for stay behinds - obviously never shoot wild flushes 2) I've argued that for a long time - many don't agree, but that's their opinion 3) check 4) good point - only ever hunt alone, or with one other handler max - always with a dog steady at least till shot - this is a very good argument for steady till released thanks again

[@PatrickBageant]

@@dogstar8871 With the disclaimer that youtube comments aren't worth the pixels they are printed on, here are my two cents. :) First, a breaking dog is a dog that can get shot. I almost always hunt alone and have enough years behind me to be pretty calm and disciplined, and I still have had moments where I see my dog's head in the sight picture. It's a sickening and horrible feeling. But those times when I hunt with other people? An unsteady dog would give me the genuine willies. Second, I my experience is that a dog that is steady to fall actually does a better job of locating wounded game. It's a little counterintuitive but the steady dog marks FAR better than the one that is sprinting through the cover in the general direction of the flush. Third, I know plenty of people who don't steady their dogs and claim it's not necessary (or even that it is an advantage), but I know exactly zero people who have steadied a dog and who don't plan to steady the next one. The proof is kind of in the pudding from that perspective.

[@_jurist]

Where is the suction on the blind retrieve? Any real retriever test would have suction to see if the dog is actually doing a blind retrieve verse swimming to the other side of the pond.

[@PJRGOLF08]

One command dude, does your lab do that?

[@uplandknight5782]

How did i know the setter would find that bird first?? lol

[@_jurist]

Your seeing a lot of shorthairs because the NAVHDA invite is a shorthair designed test. Which is why the water work duck retrieve, the "versatile" in NAVHDA name is so lame. You can tell none of these guys actually duck hunt with their dogs which is why the test is set up the way it is. So a shorthair can pass...

[@coachpunches55]

My shorthairs will out do anything your labs can do.

[@_jurist]

@@coachpunches55 don’t have a lab had a gwp that could do a triple with a blind and a distraction bird on land and water. He was an HRCH, an MH, and a 204 point prize one utility dog.

[@matthewterry4979]

@@coachpunches55 That must be why labs aren't even a recognized breed for NAVHDA. lol

[@curtisfry1432]

If you look at the 2:40 time of the video, you will see the goose bands hanging off my lanyard. So I do waterfowl hunt with my dogs. Don't be a hater. I'm not sure how you set up a test so a specific breed can pass it. My Setters have passed it seven times. They either do the work or they don't.

[@outdoorrn2980]

@@curtisfry1432 ....because you have a goose band hanging on a lanyard doesn't means you have a versatile "setter" that actually hunts ducks or geese in adverse nasty late waterfowl season weather...... just saying.

[@_jurist]

That honor of another dogs retrieve was a joke also..

[@remyhorsdage8045]

I’m new to this. Where is the safety boat if the dog is having problems in the lake. It looks like these out of shape dudes couldn’t even swim to save themselves besides their dogs.

[@tavspop]

Since you're new to this maybe you should keep your stupid comments to yourself

[@coencarrigan1206]

These dogs are elite athletes that swim is nothing compared to what these dogs can do. These are the best of the best when duck hunting they may have to swim that length up to 20 times in one day retrieving ducks.