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About Us
Our Story
Since 2018, the South African Versatile Hunting Dog Association (SAVHDA) has offered versatile working tests in the form of performance-based testing systems to evaluate the hunting qualities of the Versatile – HPR Breeds. SAVDHA developed the tests based on a similar set of standardised, non-competitive tests developed by their European/German counterparts (e.g., JGHV, VDD, DKV) and the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association (NAVHDA). The aim was to foster and promote excellence in versatility, training and hunting performance of the Versatile/HPR breeds in South Africa and awaken, encourage and foster an appreciation for ethical hunting and the truly versatile capabilities of these dogs in the hunting and versatile breed community.
Recently, the hunting tests were formalised and presented to the Kennel Union of South Africa (KUSA) for recognition. The hunting tests were formally recognised by KUSA in April 2021 and are now available as follows:
- Schedule 5C(6) – Versatile Tests – Pointing Breeds
- Schedule 5C(5) – Gundog Hunting Tests (Deutsch Drahthaar / German Wire-haired Pointer)
The Gauteng based members of SAVDHA has founded the Highveld Versatile Hunting Dog Club to offer Versatile Tests in the Gauteng region under the KUSA banner. Highveld VHDC is dedicated to continuing the traditions and ethos of SAVDHA.
Read more about SAVDHA’s background in an article published in the Wingshooter Vol22 no 4
Highveld VHDC Aims
🐾 To promote and foster the principles of ethical hunting, which requires the use of well-trained and reliable Versatile Hunting Dogs on land and water, both before and after the shot. To this end, it is the purpose of the Club, through versatile testing, to engender and foster an appreciation for the versatile hunting capabilities of these dogs in the hunting community.
🐾 We are dedicated to serving the interests of game conservation, animals protection, and gun dog hunters by helping them to train their dogs to work both before and after the shot, on land and in water.
