To achieve our capable-healthy-pleasant-&-handsome versatile dog goal, many personal and institutional elements need to be in place. At its core, versatile dog development rests in the hands of the breeder but also requires collaboration among breeders, and the participation of owners. Toward this end, the VHDF is clear about its primary purpose, that is, to assist and applaud breeders and breed clubs in their efforts. Specifically, we offer:
- Breeding advice that is practical, science-based and independent.
- Education and promotion.
- Hunting-related evaluations of:
Hunting Aptitude Evaluation : This is will give us our first glimpse into the dogs inherent capabilities. Dogs should be introduced to game by this point but not to a finished level. Manners on Game will not be required. We are looking for the dogs willingness to do their job.
Advanced Hunting Aptitude Evaluation : This should be used to determine both the success of an individual dogs breeding as well as its usefulness in furthering a breeding program. Dogs should be quite familiar with game, both upland and waterfowl. Obedience is not the focus, however is appreciated. The goal is to observe the capabilities and individual characteristics of each dog that may be passed from generation to generation.
Performance Evaluation : This is the final step. We will look at all aspects of the dog, both inherent as well as trained. We are looking for the dogs ability to perform through training and its ability to be trained. This will be a complex series of events that will hold dogs to the highest of standards.
Hunting-Dog-Evaluation.
A dog’s typical performance in hunting situations can be evaluated from a variety of perspectives. The classic field trials ranked a bird dog’s athleticism, its independence in the run and style of pointing, or a retriever’s inclination to ‘take lines’ and willingness to mind signals; both spectacular in their own right. In various hunting tests, a specific set of expected behaviors is scored, present or absent.
The VHDF uses the word ‘evaluation’ to emphasize our aim to evaluate and interpret what mix of behavioral and physiological traits a dog brings to a task. Aiming to serve breeders and breed clubs, VHDF judges will emphasize heritable behaviors as much as possible. In much the same way as ‘congenital’ diseases are thought to be heritable, VHDF hunter/judges will, through experience, recognize those behavior patterns that are repeated by the same individual and evident across families and breeds.
Training, and a dog’s ability to respond positively to training, is another important aspect. Whether a dog patiently waits through the fall of a shot bird and obediently delivers to hand is less influenced by genetics, and only insofar as a tractable temperament is helpful. Most gain in obedience is through training. Thus, the specific facets which judges evaluate must be carefully considered. Also, these facets need to be explicit so that a team of judges can come to a similar conclusion. Evaluating hunting dogs means interpreting dog behavior, because different heritable components are at work in every task executed by a dog. Judging can be a humbling enterprise.
A dog’s performance also can be influenced by chance, by the tiny details of the day or task. Where possible, the element of mere chance should be downplayed by capable judges exercising their craft. A handler and dog have spent countless hours and have made other investments and sacrifices, and this should not be for naught because of mere chance. The dog-hunter team should be rewarded for their genuine achievements, not undervalued due to chance.
One objective of the VHDF is to promote game conservation and recreation through hunting with well-bred and trained hunting dogs. Most hunting dogs also serve as family companions both in and outside of the hunting season. This dual role should be recognized, for example, by rewarding sound temperaments.
