North American Hunting Retriever Association

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Fredericksburg, VA
North American Hunting Retriever Association

"Conservation of game through the development of trained retrievers" NAHRA’s purpose is to discove Tests are designed to simulate a day's hunt in the field.

The NAHRA concept is based solely on simulating real hunting situations, both upland hunting and waterfowling. The purpose is not to confront the dog with trick problems, but rather to test the dog's natural ability and acquired training. Under the NAHRA concept, the objective is to recover the bird as quickly and efficiently as possible, to create the least amount of disturbance in the marsh and field and to give the hunter the maximum amount of time to actually take game. Dogs are placed in five categories based on ability not age: Beginner, Started, Hunter, Intermediate, and Senior. Dogs do not compete against one another for placements, but rather their performances are judged individually against a "standard."

10/30/2026

We have been knocking the cobwebs off the NAHRA website lately, you might have noticed some changes, we certainly hope the changes make it easier for everyone to navigate!

Also we made signing up for the future retriever program a little easier. We also created a QR code for everyone to share with their friends.

The future retriever program provides a free 1 year membership to any new NAHRA member. Help spread the word and share the code!

https://www.nahra.org/Future-Retriever-program

10/06/2026

The Copper State Hunting Retriever Club Fall Classic NAHRA Field Test is OPEN for entries. Multiple staking is allowed; a lower stake dog may run Senior plus one other stake on the same day.

Location: Avondale, AZ, which is a half hour west of Phoenix.

Are you chasing points for HIGH POINT dog? Do you need one or two more passes for a title? Consider a trip the the greater Phoenix area to support this NAHRA club.

09/21/2026

That's a wrap for the Spokane Bird Dog Association NAHRA Field Tests for 2026. This past weekend, we ran Senior and Intermediate both days. Regional Rep Dana Schmidt and Sophi earned their Master Hunting Retriever title, as did Steve Dal Porto and Annie. Tom Dresser and Brie earned their Working Retriever title Saturday (and moved up and qualified for Senior on Sunday).

SBDA held field tests in May, June, July, and September. Our goal is to support our members who run NAHRA and help them title and showcase their dogs. Thank you to our outside and local judges and to SBDA's Team for making these tests easy to organize and run. Thanks to Nyles Seaton and Travis Denton for becoming new judges to support the club.

Photo - Dana and Sophi (her last test). Senior Judges Les, Paul, Carol with Dana and Sophi.
Video - Tom and Brie.

Hunting season is HERE -- go enjoy your partner in the field.

09/09/2026

Copper State Hunting Retriever Club
November 14 & 15, 2026
Buckeye Irrigation District
Avondale, Arizona

Double All Stakes

Head South to support this club and the NAHRA Field Test

08/29/2026

Judges’ List has been updated on the NAHRA website in the Members section. Includes all new judges and updated points through August 2nd.

Thank you to all the judges for supporting our Standard Field Test and Upland Retriever Program.

08/17/2026

NAHRA Upland Test, hosted by Navesink River HRC in NJ. Entries open on hunt secretary. Don't forget to sign up!

08/12/2026

https://www.startribune.com/its-like-a-dog-olympics-except-skill-and-training-are-optional/601874738

You may need a free account to read this wonderful story noting Dan Hove, Terry Strege, and Phil Hines.

Good luck participants!

There are no blue ribbons at Game Fair in Anoka County, where seasoned hunting dogs compete alongside lovable goofballs.

08/07/2026

Come join Spokane Bird Dog Association for their Sept. 19 & 20 Senior + Intermediate Combo Field Test.

Locals -- last chance to "test" your dogs before hunting season is in full swing
Out-of-towners -- make a road trip, run the double field test, and then hunt north of the border for early season waterfowl on your way home.

Enter the test at Hunt Test Secretary

08/06/2026

Check out the spread in the Retriver Journal! Thanks to Matt Toth for putting this together and Northern Piedmont for hosting the event! Great work all!

08/05/2026

Two quilts were donated to NAHRA years ago. One was for the Midwest Regional event (quilt photo) and the other for the Invitational (behind the couple who donated it).

The Invitational Quilt is a traveling quilt, auctioned annually to raise funds. Unfortunately, it was not turned in for the 2026 Invitational. If you happen to know who purchased it, reach out to the NAHRA President, or comment, “I know who bought it in 2025” and we will reach out to you for their name.

Address

PO Box 5159
Fredericksburg, VA
22403

Telephone

(540) 899-7620

Website

http://www.nahra.org/

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