Versatile Hunting Dog Federation (VHDF) in Saskatchewan

This website was MOVED on June 1, 2023

2023 Test: September 9 & 10, 2023, Alvena, Saskatchewan

This webpage was mounted on August 28, 2007 and last updated on March 13, 2023 by Sheila Schmutz

The test in 2023 will again officially sponsored by the Saskatoon Gun Dog Club but will be under the auspices of VHDF-Canada.

Entries will close on August 1, or whenever the test fills, if before that date. The Test Secretary is Sheila Schmutz (sheilamschmutz@gmail.com). To enter, please pay the entry fee via PayPal and submit the completed entry form and a copy of your versatile dog's pedigree to her via email.

Fall VHDF Test Details

Tests Offered

Field Tests

• Hunting Aptitude Evaluation (HAE), $150
• Advanced Hunting Aptitude Evaluation (AHAE) or Performance Evaluation (PE), $175
  

Summaries of the tests are available as downloads on the VHDF-Canada webpage. The age limit for the HAE puppy test is 18 months and it is suggested that the minimum age is about 5 months. There is no age limit for either the AHAE or PE tests.

Rick Espie and Muddy Water's Alba in the 2022 "Blind Water Entry" of her AHAE test. On their right judges: Craig Wilson, Lawrence Pellerin & Todd Shury. Other participants and spectators in the background.

Dogs Entered

(two day test is now full)

• Sunnynook's Hoax, PE, Brent Grabowski (2)
• Sunnynook's Hercules "Spock", PE, Rick Schryer (2)
• Sunnynook's Heron, AHAE, Joe Schmutz (1.5)
• Eagle Rock's Breeze, AHAE, John Staley (1.5)
• Sunnynook's Iltis, AHAE, Derek Oderkirk (1.5)
• Prairie Fire's Alba, AHAE, Tracy Fisher (1.5)
• Sunnynook's Joli, HAE, Joe Schmutz (1)
• Sunnynook's Jay, HAE, Ian Fargey (1)
• Sunnynook's Jiggs, HAE, Rainer Knopff (1)
• Sunnynook's Jinx, HAE, Matthew Pellerin (1)
• Sunnynook's Java, HAE, Milo Mamer (1)
• Sunnynook's Jet, HAE, Chad Lang (1)

We are continuing to accept registrations for a 3rd “day”, which might be:

• same weekend with a 2nd judging team
• Friday or Monday of that weekend
• another earlier date, say late July
  • Sunnynook's Jaeger, HAE, Curt Keller (1)
  • Sunnynook's Indy, AHAE, Michael Maksymchuk (1.5)
  • Matilda, HAE, Cordell Lind (1)

Note that the provincial wildlife health specialist had initially required DNA testing to import gamebirds from out of province, but that decision was reversed on March 8, so we can now test a 3rd group of dogs.

Proposed agenda for this VHDF Test at Alvena, under "relaxed" Covid-19 guidelines.

• Meet at 8:30 for introductions at an abandoned farm site near Alvena, SK
• Try to maintain social distancing in the shelter area.
• Judges may choose to wear cloth masks to be worn when social distancing is not possible (i.e. examining conformation on the dog with the handler holding the dog)
• All dogs will be run sequentially in each test-section, so all handlers need to be present throughout the day.
• Some wild birds may be encountered as we try to run each dog over new ground in the field. Gamebirds (species to be determined based on permit and availability) will be planted in the field, pheasant for tracking and call ducks for duck search. (We have a permit for this.)
• The PE dogs are run in a brace of two in the field.
• Given Covid-19, there will be no food provided at the test site, for lunch or supper. Please bring your own packed lunch. Canned drinks will be available. However, if you want water, please bring your own refillable water bottle and jug of water for yourself and your dog.

Facilities

The test site is 2.5 km (1.5 mi) N and 1.5 km (1 mi) E of Alvena, Saskatchewan; or 60 km (40 mi) NE of Saskatoon, along Highway 41. The abandoned farm site includes an outhouse and some shade from trees, and a metal roofed shelter, which can be tarped on the sides if weather is rainy, windy, or cold. There is a firepit. A Co-op store with many items and snacks is open on Friday & Saturday from 9 to 6, but not on Sunday. Bring lawn chairs and other items for your comfort. People are welcome to camp at the site, but please let us know in advance so we can suggest spots best for RV or tent camping. (no plug-ins or running water)

Nearby Accomodation

There are no motels or restaurants in the town of Alvena. There are motels about 20 km away in Wakaw and Cudworth. The motel in Wakaw allows dogs in rooms, but the motel in Cudworth does not. If you choose to stay in Saskatoon, we recommend the Heritage Inn for accomodation. It is dog friendly and near the north edge of the city and the airport. It is a "middle class" hotel with an attached cafe. If you are travelling with a RV, there are a few options for RV campgrounds with plug-ins in Wakaw.

Spectators

Visitors are welcome to watch from designated spots. Two spectators may walk in the field, with the permission of the handler and judge. The group in the field already includes 3 judges, 1-2 gunners, and often an official photographer.

Scores

VHDF-Canada test scores from 2007 to June 2022 are available as a downloadable pdf file. Most, but not all were held in Alvena, SK.

Note that VHDF has not set passing scores for any level of testing but leaves this to individual breed clubs. Versatile dogs of any breed are welcome in this test.

Many of the dogs entered are often LMs, and HAE and AHAE are necessary for a dog to be an "eligible to breed". Therefore a passing score has been determined for both of these tests. See the page on the LMAC website that explains this in detail.

For more information on field test rules visit Versatile Hunting Dog Federation (US)

For more information on Versatile Hunting Dog Federation - Canada

Please email Sheila Schmutz (sheila.schmutz@usask.ca) regarding updates to this website.