We hope you join us in 2026!
Check back regularly for updates to when registrations will open for 2026.
July Test will be July 24th through July 26th for UT, Gun Dog and NA. UT tests are usually on Friday. Location will be in Whitehall, Montana. Email MontanaSharptail@gmail.com with any questions.
The tests are not open for registrations at this time. Please check back in early Spring for any updates. We will have waiting lists if the tests are full. It costs nothing to be on the waiting list, please fill out a registration form through the NAVHDA portal. NO payment is required! Email MontanaSharptail@gmail.com with any questions.
The August test is August 28th through August 30th for UT, Gun Dog and NA. Location will be in Whitehall, Montana.
Cost (will be updated for 2026 before registrations open):
Working Handlers (handlers who volunteer for one full day in addition to their test day):
Natural Ability: $200 per dog
Gun Dog Test: $235 per dog
Utility Test: $255 Per Dog
Non-Working Handlers (handlers who are not volunteering):
Natural Ability: $275 per dog
Gun Dog Test: $310 per dog
Utility Test: $330 Per Dog
How to Sign up: Pay for the test on this web page (scroll down). Go to the NAVHDA Member Portal, go to Upcoming Tests, choose the Montana Sharptail Test. You will have a button that says “register a dog,” which will fill out almost the entire form automatically. When you are done, submit the form.
NAVHDA Membership: You will need two numbers, handler and dog.
Handlers: Handlers must be registered with NAVHDA International as a member to run a dog in any NAVHDA sponsored test.
If you get the Versatile Hunting Dog magazine, you are a member. If not, time to join! We feel the magazine is well worth the membership. http://navhdastore.org/membershippackages.aspx
Testing Dog: The dog you are testing must also be registered with NAVHDA International. Information is available here: http://www.navhda.org/registry/registry-forms. Dogs without “full NAVHDA Registrations” may reserve and hold a space in a test but must be fully registered with NAVHDA the day before the test. Please contact the NAVHDA International Office and get your dog’s official NAVHDA Registration Number as soon as possible to ensure your spot in a test.
Waiting list:
If a test is full, you may put a dog on a “Waiting List” for that test. No payment is required. Email MontanaSharptail@gmail.com to be placed on the waiting list. Dogs are placed on the waiting list on a “first come, first served” basis upon receipt of registration form, though tests are filled according to the NAVHDA mandated formula simply because NA, GDT, and UT spots are not all equal.
Test fee refund policy:
Refunds are given up until 14 days from the first day of the Test Series as long as the test is full. The refund cutoff dates for the 2025 July and August tests are July 12th and August 16th. No refunds will be issued after these dates. Any other request for a refund must be requested via email to MontanaSharptail@gmail.com and approved by the Montana Sharptail Board of Directors.
The “7 Day” policy:
Run days will be made official 7 days from a test, and you will be notified via email on your run day. Any changes of Run Day after the official Run Day List is emailed, MUST be confirmed with and by the Test Secretary for that Test Series. The run order will be available the morning of the test.
Filling Tests and the “Foot in the Door” policy:
Handlers are allowed to register no more than 3 UT dogs, and/or 5 NA dogs in the same test weekend (additional dogs may be considered if the test weekend doesn’t fill). Tests are filled as per NAVHDA’s mandated Test Formula. This applies to test series that include Natural Ability, Gun Dog, and Utility Tests. If your dog is on a waiting list, and a dog drops from a test (for example creating a “partial space” as one NA space is not equal to a GDT or UT space) your dog may gain “Foot in the Door” status until 7 days from the test, at which point the Test Secretary will fill the test and give “Run Days” to Owners and Handlers as per the NAVHDA mandated formula.
Photos from 2023 tests.
