About Texas NAVHDA

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The North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association (NAVHDA) is a nonprofit corporation whose purpose is to foster, promote, and improve the versatile hunting dog breeds in North America; to conserve game by using well trained reliable hunting dogs before and after the shot; and to aid in the prevention of cruelty to animals by discouraging nonselective and uncontrolled breeding, which produces unwanted and uncared for dogs.

Underlying these aims is the desire to serve the interests of game conservation, prevention of cruelty to animals, and the gun dog hunter by helping the hunter to train his dog to work before and after the shot, on land and in water.

NAVHDA is an excellent complement to the activities of sporting dog breed clubs and field trial organizations. It was created to supplement the activities of those clubs by providing a proven, standard method of evaluating the performance of all versatile hunting dogs, consistent with North American hunting practices, regardless of breed.

How is NAVHDA organized?

NAVHDA is organized on two levels.

The first level, NAVHDA International, operates under bylaws approved by its membership. These bylaws provide for officers elected by popular vote who, together with appointed directors, constitute an Executive Council charged with furnishing direction and guidance to NAVHDA programs.

The second level, local chapters of NAVHDA, are the “grass roots” organizations, which sponsor the training and testing programs. There are sanctioned chapters throughout the United States and Canada.

The Texas Chapter of the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association (Texas NAVHDA) is one of nearly 100 local chapters that support the international organization.

Texas NAVHDA

The Texas Chapter of the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association was established in 2010 to educate and assist versatile hunting dog owners in developing their dogs’ natural hunting abilities. While primarily based in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, our membership extends to areas such as Texoma, Shreveport, Louisiana, the Greater Austin area, San Angelo, Midland, and Amarillo.

Texas NAVHDA membership includes both experienced and novice dog handlers who work together to share knowledge and expertise in training versatile hunting dogs. Our members’ goals are diverse: some are owner-handlers and trainers working toward a NAVHDA prize, while others aspire to enhance their dogs’ hunting skills. What unites us is a shared love for versatile hunting dogs and the company of like-minded individuals.

Texas NAVHDA membership marks the beginning of a lifelong journey for many individuals. In addition to the tangible benefits of having an improved versatile hunting companion, you will experience the most important intangible benefit: becoming part of a community of versatile hunting dog lovers, hunters, and advocates for wildlife conservation.

If you are considering acquiring a NAVHDA International-recognized versatile hunting dog breed, we invite you to attend a training day and observe handlers and their dogs in action.