About the NAVHDA Registry

About the NAVHDA Registry

The NAVHDA Registry is home to the largest searchable database of versatile hunting dogs in North America. Each dog registered with NAVHDA receives a certificate including a three-generation pedigree showing test results, available hip certification, DNA information, and facilitates the selective breeding of sound hunting dogs.

You can search for registered dogs’ pedigrees as well as the test results for individual dogs, sires and dams, and their progeny. Test results are also available by protected kennel name or by breeder name.

Registry Policies and Procedures, Revised March 2020

NAVHDA has an open registry. Registration is a certification of purebred lineage, generated from a legitimate three-generation pedigree from a recognized registry or breed club.

NAVHDA recognizes the following Registries: American Kennel Club, Canadian Kennel Club, Field Dog Stud Book, and the Federation of Cynologique Internationale. Pedigrees from other countries and versatile breed club stud books are considered on a case-by-case basis.

NAVHDA promotes selective canine breeding and canine population control by making test results and various educational reports available to the public.

Dogs with an AKC-ILP (Indefinite Listing Privilege) number are not eligible for NAVHDA registration.

NAVHDA’s pedigree is a NAVHDA performance and lineage document. The NAVHDA pedigree is the only document that provides the NAVHDA test results of the ancestors of a litter along with hip evaluations and DNA certification when provided.

Using our searchable database, anyone can obtain a Breeders Report which provides test results of all dogs tested by a given breeder sorted by whelp date with dam, sire and progeny listed.

NAVHDA strongly promotes DNA testing of all dogs along with hip certification. Technology offers many options for improving breeds and for improving performance records.

Registration Programs Terminology

Breeder: A breeder is the primary owner or lessee of the dam at time of whelping.

Co-breeder: A co-breeder is co-owner or co-lessee of the dam at time of whelping.

Owner: An owner is the current owner’s name as listed in the NAVHDA records. Or, in the case of a non-NAVHDA registered sire, the owner is the owner of the sire according to the records of the relevant and accepted registry.

Co-Owner: A co-owner is the current co-owner’s name as listed in the NAVHDA records. Or, in the case of a non-NAVHDA registered sire, the co-owner is the co-owner of the sire according to the records of the relevant and accepted registry.

Striking Dogs from the Record

Should a dog have been admitted to registration, a litter enrolled, or ownership transferred through misrepresentation or fraud, the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association, on discovery of same, reserves the right to declare the registration, enrollment, or transfer void, together with any entries that may have been made of any descendants of such dog.

NAVHDA reserves the right to require any dog or dogs to be DNA profiled pursuant to the maintenance of the integrity of the NAVHDA records.

To maintain the integrity of our records, NAVHDA reserves the right to implement modification in its records adhering to current policies and procedures.

Why we do not require NAVHDA testing prior to registration

There are many excellent hunting dogs that are not NAVHDA tested.
NAVHDA breeders need the flexibility to utilize dogs that have not been NAVHDA tested to improve their line or breeding program.
The NAVHDA Breeder Report documents the success of the breeder.
Future buyers and breeders can track the success of registered litters.

The North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association Registry recognizes the following registries:

Canadian Kennel Club
American Kennel Club
Field Dog Stud Book
Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI)
Pedigrees from other countries are considered on a case-by-case basis.
Pedigrees from versatile breed club stud books are considered on a case-by-case basis.

The North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association registration documents are recognized by the following registries:

American Kennel Club www.akc.org Phone: (919)233-9767
Field Dog Stud Book www.americanfield.com Phone: (312)663-9797

The NAVHDA Registry recognizes the following registries for recording information on NAVHDA pedigrees:

Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) 2300 Nifong Blvd. Columbia, MO 65201-3806 Phone: 573/442-0418 www.ofa.org
Western College of Veterinary Medicine University of Saskatchewan Saskatoon, SK S7H 0W0
University of Guelph Ontario Veterinary College Guelph, ON N1G 2W1 Phone: 519/823-8800
PennHIP 271 Great Valley Parkway Malvern, PA 19355 Phone: 800/248-8099 www.pennhip.org
Foreign documentation will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Leased Dam Policy

NAVHDA’s leased dam policy is available so that a bitch may be leased from the owner of the dog for breeding purposes. The following is required to lease a dam:

Lease must include a start and end date.
For the lessee to be listed as the breeder of the litter; the application must be submitted and approved prior to whelp.
The lessee will be listed as the breeder of the litter. If the owner of the dam wants to be listed as co-breeder, their information must appear under co-lessee and under owner of the dam.
The puppies of the leased dam may carry the registered kennel name of the lessee.
Both owner and lessee must be NAVHDA members.

Multiple Sire Registration Policy

To register a litter with multiple sires, all pups, dam and sires must submit DNA samples through NAVHDA for testing. The DNA kits for the litter will be discounted to $50 for each pup. The DNA results will assign to each puppy to the proper breeding pair.

Mandatory DNA Profiling

While the DNA program is required for litter registration, it is also offered to any single registration, kennel name or transfer of owner. NAVHDA reserves the right to require any dog, dogs, or entire litters to be DNA profiled and/or have parentage verification pursuant to the maintenance of the integrity of NAVHDA records. A person who refuses to consent to profiling of a dog over which he/she has legal control, may be barred from all NAVHDA privileges.

Customer Driven DNA Complaint Policy

Any NAVHDA customer who questions the recorded parentage of a dog or litter may submit a complaint in writing to NAVHDA requesting DNA testing. The complaint must be accompanied by a deposit of $500.00. If the allegation is sustained, the deposit is returned. If the allegation is not sustained, the deposit is forfeited and becomes the property of NAVHDA.

In cases where parentage is shown to be incorrect, NAVHDA will work with customers to correct the registrations of dogs and litters when possible. The responsible parties will be billed for the DNA processing costs and registration correction fees. Registration services will be placed on hold until payment is made. When corrections cannot be made, the registrations will be revoked. A person who refuses to consent to these restrictions may be barred from all NAVHDA privileges.

Requirements for Registration of Litter

A kennel name may be used as a prefix or a suffix. Each pup’s name, including the kennel name, may not exceed 36 characters and spaces.
In order to register any litter with NAVHDA, the dam must be NAVHDA registered, and the ownership must coincide with the information on the litter application. If the dam is not NAVHDA registered, a single registration for the dam may be submitted at the time the litter registration is submitted with the appropriate additional fee.
If the sire is not NAVHDA registered, a copy of a three-generation pedigree and certificate of registration (AKC) from FDSB, AKC, CKC, or a recognized breed club must be included.
Both the sire and dam must have DNA samples submitted through NAVHDA at the time of registration.
If parents or grandparents have been found free of hip dysplasia or elbow dysplasia, a copy of the certificate must be included.
Owner of the litter is the owner/s or lessee/s of the dam at time of whelping.
The primary owner or lessee of the dam, must have an active NAVHDA membership at the time of litter registration.

Completing full litter registration

Both the sire and dam must have DNA samples submitted through NAVHDA before the litter registration is complete.
The fee is reduced when a breeder registers the litter and all the puppies in that litter. The breeder must pay for the litter and dog registrations for the ENTIRE LITTER.
The breeder shall provide the name of each puppy and the name and address of its owner with the full registration application. If no owner and/or puppy name is/are provided, a prepaid dog registration form will be issued. The pedigrees and prepaid dog registration forms will be sent to the BREEDER, UNLESS OTHERWISE REQUESTED. The breeder will receive a pedigree for each new owner. New owners of fully registered litters will be allowed one name change of their dog before the dog has produced or sired a NAVHDA registered litter or has run in a NAVHDA test in its lifetime, as long as the new name includes the breeders registered kennel name and the application is accompanied by a letter of authorization from the breeder.

Advantages to full litter registration

The customer receives a completed pedigree; no additional registration needs to be done.
For the Utility Breeder Award, ownership is a requirement. NAVHDA recommends that the breeder complete the process prior to the puppies being released to their new homes.
The NAVHDA stud book record will have complete information on each buyer.

Listing of Registrations

Litter registrations are listed on the NAVHDA website.

Naming of Dogs

Review the list of protected kennel names prior to submitting a registration application. Protected kennel names will not be accepted anywhere within a registered name without written permission from the owner of the registered kennel name. Written permission includes a signature of the owner of the registered kennel name on the registration application. Please CLICK HERE to view the NAVHDA registered kennel names.

The person who owns the dog at the time the application for registration is submitted to NAVHDA has the right to name it. Names are subject to NAVHDA approval and the following guidelines:

Name choices are limited to thirty-six (36) characters. Spaces between words, apostrophes and hyphens are counted.
All letters in a dog’s name are limited to the Standard English alphabet.
If a dog comes in from another registry and has been named in that registry with a NAVHDA protected kennel name, the owner must choose a name without using the NAVHDA registered kennel name unless they receive written permission from the primary owner of the registered kennel name. If permission is not granted, then the name is to be changed from what is on the initial registration. NAVHDA will include the registration number from that registry on the NAVHDA pedigree to keep the dog linked to both names.
A name considered by the Appeals Committee to be phonetically identical to an existing registered kennel name, will not be accepted. (including adding or deleting plurals or spaces)
Any name, which if brought to the attention of the Committee, and in the opinion of the Committee, is considered to be misleading or confusing or is considered unsuitable as a kennel name, will not be accepted.
Roman numerals must not be included at the end of the dog’s name. NAVHDA reserves the right to assign roman numerals for identification purposes.
Initials such as; VC, UT, UPT, NA will not be accepted.
Obscenities and words derogatory to any race, creed or nationality or transliterations of such words will not be accepted.
The words, kennel(s), male, stud, sire, bitch, dam and female will not be accepted.
Breed names alone will not be accepted.

An imported dog must be registered with the same name under which it was registered in its country of birth, except for the addition of a Registered Kennel Name.

The guidelines described above regarding the unauthorized use of a registered kennel name applies to imported dogs as well. NAVHDA will include the registration number from that registry on the NAVHDA pedigree to keep the dog linked to both names.

No change in the name of a dog registered with NAVHDA will be allowed to be made except for a one-time change for a dog whelped in the United States which the breeder(s) has registered with NAVHDA and has authorized their consent. However, no change in the name will be recorded by NAVHDA after the dog has produced or sired a NAVHDA registered litter or has run in a NAVHDA test. Additionally, no change may be made to the dog’s registered name unless the breeder(s) of record has consented in writing to NAVHDA approving the change.

Co-ownership contracts

Co-ownership arrangements, in far too many cases, lead to problems. While NAVHDA registration application forms provide for more than one owner, we recommend that co-ownerships be avoided. It has been our experience that purchasing a dog ‘outright’ is preferable.

Buyer purchases a sick or defective dog

NAVHDA is always concerned when we learn about the sale of a sick dog, or a dog that has been diagnosed as having a congenital defect. However, NAVHDA does not license or endorse anyone engaged in the commerce of selling purebred dogs, and therefore has no control over the business practices of those involved in such transactions.

While NAVHDA attempts to foster sound breeding practices through education, and while many breeders offer various guarantees with respect to the health of dogs, our jurisdiction is limited to the practices one must follow to ensure proper identification of dogs registered with NAVHDA. Registration, in and of itself, does not guarantee the quality or health of a dog.

There are no provisions in our rules to preclude the breeding of dogs of questionable quality. We would certainly hope, however, that if the matter is brought to the attention of the owners of the dogs involved, they would give the matter careful consideration before contemplating breeding the dogs again.

If you feel that you should be compensated for all or part of the purchase price of your dog, and if you are unable to resolve the matter with the seller, we can only recommend that you seek legal counsel to determine if you can obtain relief through civil channels. You may also wish to bring this matter to the attention of your local Better Business Bureau or Consumer Protection Service.

With regard to the facility at which your dog was purchased, if you feel the conditions there do not meet acceptable health standards, the matter should be brought to the attention of your local ASPCA, humane society, or health department, as they have the authority to take action in these matters.

How To Establish and Remove NAVHDA Breeding Restriction

A Breeding Restriction may be requested for a dog when the individual registration application is submitted, provided the application, together with a request for such restriction, is filed by the owner(s) of the litter at birth or the owner(s) of the single registration. Each registration certificate for such dog shall carry notice of the restriction, and the restriction shall continue, regardless of any change of ownership, unless and until the owner(s) of the litter at birth or the owner(s) at time of single registration shall apply to NAVHDA for removal of the limitation.

No offspring of a dog for which a Breeding Restriction has been established is eligible for registration.

In order to remove the Breeding Restriction, the owner(s) of the litter at birth or the owner(s) at time of single registration will need to complete the Application to Revoke Breeding Restriction, and submit the form, along with a processing fee to the Central Office. After processing, a Full Registration certificate will be sent to the dog’s owner.

It is the breeder’s ethical duty to inform the buyer, prior to purchase, that the dog’s registration papers will be printed with a Breeding Restriction.

NAVHDA does not license or endorse anyone engaged in the commerce of selling purebred dogs and, therefore, has no control over the business practices of those involved in such transactions. NAVHDA will not become involved in disputes concerning “Full” or “Breeding Restriction” registration of a dog. The parties involved in the sale of the dog must resolve these disputes.

Kennel Registration

The names of no more than two people can appear on the application for a protected kennel name. The first person is always the primary owner. Additional names may be added with a maximum of four names at any one time. At no time can another person use this kennel name w/o written permission from the primary owner of the registered kennel name.

Definition & Usage

A kennel name is a word or combination of words and/or letters, which does not exceed fifteen characters in length (spaces included). The kennel name can be used as a prefix or suffix to a dog’s name. A registered kennel name is used by breeders to identify the dogs from their breeding program and lineage while protecting their reputation and unauthorized use of the kennel name by others. Use of a registered kennel name will only be allowed with full written permission from the primary owner of the registered name. Full permission means a signature on the registration application.

The awarding of NAVHDA protected kennel names is at the sole discretion of the Registrar.

Registered Kennel Name Transfer

If you wish to bequeath your kennel name upon your death, NAVHDA will honor your personal representative’s (or your successor Trustee’s) written direction, on a form provided by NAVHDA, upon payment of a transfer fee. This will also apply to co-owners of kennel names, please work out between you what needs to happen in the event that one of the owners passes, or is no longer able to participate.

The transferee of the kennel name will be required to maintain a NAVHDA membership as a condition of maintaining the NAVHDA registration of the kennel name. This procedure is essentially the same as is used for making a sale or transfer of registration of kennel name during the registered owner’s lifetime, except the deceased will name a personal representative (executor or executrix) in the deceased’s Will or Trust to carry out the procedure after death. If there is no Will or Trust, there will need to be opened an intestate probate estate, and a personal representative will need to be appointed, to act on behalf of the deceased.

Publication

New kennel names that are being applied for will be published in the official publication of NAVHDA prior to approval so that the membership has the chance to review those names and, if necessary, file an appeal (see below). Approved kennel names will also be published following approval.

Appeal Procedures

If a member finds the kennel name objectionable, the following appeal procedure applies:

Objections may be filed within the period listed in the publication.

When this procedure is invoked, the Registrar is to send a letter of receipt of correspondence to the party initiating the letter. The Registrar’s letter will state:

The date their letter was received.
That it will be forwarded to the Registry Arbitration Committee for an opinion.
The Registrar will mail a response letter within 60 days.

A recommendation from each committee member is presented in writing to the Registrar. The Registrar acts on the item of concern. If the item is of such a nature that the Board of Directors should have input/vote regarding the decision, it is the obligation of the Registrar to obtain said input/vote. When an item is sent to the Registry Appeals Committee, the President will be made aware of the item in question. This notification does not have to be formal.

Prohibitions

NAVHDA will not knowingly approve an application for registration of a kennel name if the name applied for is:

A name now used by a breeder other than the applicant.
A name considered by the Appeals Committee to be phonetically identical to a protected kennel name.
A color (by itself)
Any name, which, if brought to the attention of the Committee, and in the opinion of the Committee, is considered to be misleading or confusing or is considered unsuitable as a kennel name.
Exceeds fifteen characters and spaces.
Kennel names can not contain any initials that are commonly used titles, for example VC, UT, UPT, NA, or the words .com or .net

Expiration of a Kennel Registration

A kennel name will expire if NAVHDA membership of the primary member is not maintained. Currently a renewal fee is required every five years.

Registry Appeals Committee

A Registry Appeals Committee is appointed annually. Registry Items of a controversial nature are presented to this committee with all available details. This Committee renders advice to the Executive Council for final issue resolution. The process listed above under Appeals Procedure will be applied for an appeal made to the Registry the is.

Breeder Awards

Breeder Award Criteria

NAVHDA DNA Policy

The NAVHDA DNA policy requires that the sire and dam of all NAVHDA registered litters whelped after September 1 2019, must have NAVHDA DNA Certification on file or applied for through NAVHDA

What Can DNA Testing Do For You?

NAVHDA’s registry provides breeders with a database that enables them to review the testing history of potential breeding pairs. These data also provide record of a dog’s progeny, siblings and performance information when mated with other sires and dams. DNA testing will help ensure the NAVHDA database is of the highest standard that is dependable and accurate. This gives breeders the ability to guarantee reliable pedigrees where parentage has been verified.

Once DNA has been submitted and results received, the Dog’s DNA number will be added to the NAVHDA database, individual registration and pedigree. NAVHDA registered litters allows breeders to participate in the Breeder’s Award program. (see Breeder’s Award criteria for all requirements).

DNA testing is required for frequently used sires (sires that have produced more than 3 litters within a calendar year or 7 litters within his lifetime). With the new DNA Policy, all sires of NAVHDA registered litters whelped after September 1, 2019 will have NAVHDA DNA on file.

NAVHDA has added a multiple sires litter registration option. All requirements including DNA of dam, sire(s) and pups, must be met prior to the litter application being accepted. (see Multiple Sire Litter Registration requirements)

What you should know about DNA testing and sample submissions:

1 DNA testing is inexpensive; one kit is $55. This is a one-time test for the life of the dog. If a breeder chooses to DNA the entire litter, the cost for each pup will be discounted to $50.

2 DNA tests are very easy to obtain; you can order your NAVHDA approved kit at our on-line store. Kits containing the necessary cheek swab and instructions will be mailed directly to your home.

3 Once the DNA has been collected and returned, you can expect to receive your DNA certificate in approximately 2 months.

Exceptions:

DNA is not required for sires that are deceased prior to the implementation of this policy. If DNA is available, it will be noted on the pedigree.

NAVHDA DNA POLICY – FAQ’s

How does DNA testing work?

In humans and dogs alike, each gene is present as two copies (displayed as letters). Offspring receive one copy of each gene (DNA sequences) from each parent in a random process. The “letters” are then matched to the parent’s DNA to verify that the offspring has the those same “letters” in the same location.

How is the DNA sample collected?

The DNA kit comes with detailed instructions on how to collect the DNA sample. The kit will include a swab that you insert into your dog’s mouth between the cheek and gums. You swirl the brush against the inside of the cheek to collect the sample.

What information does the DNA testing provide?

DNA is for parentage verification and genetic identity only.

Can DNA testing determine the breed of dog?

No, parentage only.

Why is NAVHDA requiring DNA and other registries don’t?

Although there are breed registries that require DNA, NAVHDA’s purpose is to have one of the most reliable registries of versatile dogs with verified pedigrees.

Can I send in DNA from a different source?

No, NAVHDA will only accept DNA submitted and tested through NAVHDA; this is the only way to confirm parentage.

Does DNA testing provide NAVHDA with income?

No, the cost of the test kit includes mailing, DNA testing, parentage verification, documented results plus the time of adding this information to our database.

Can dogs from parents that are not DNA tested be registered with NAVHDA?

Yes, at this time. (This scenario is for dogs that are added into the NAVHDA registry using the Single Dog Registration application.)

Have there been any incidents where a dog’s registration was found to have incorrect information?

Yes, but very few. By using DNA testing we remove that possibility and any concerns one may have regarding the validity of their dog’s pedigree.

Is DNA required for sires outside North America?

Yes, the owner of the dam can order the DNA test kit through NAVHDA to ship to owner of the sire. Once the DNA sample is received by NAVHDA, the litter registration can be accepted.

DNA Designations on NAVHDA Registration Certificates

The DNA number will be shown on NAVHDA registration certificates and pedigrees of DNA-Profiled dogs.

NAVHDA Number Search