It's organizations like NAVHDA, NSTRA and some other pointing dog organizations that won't allow PLs to compete that is blasphemy. PLs took 1st, 2nd and 4th places in the first NAVHDA trial in which they were allowed (the Pres. of NAVHDA ran PLs in that event! ! ) It only took a year or two for PLs to be 'disallowed''................Hmmmmm. Ever wonder why? It's because the elitist pointer dog folks couldn't stand being whipped by a Labrador, that's why.
You need to do some study in NAVHDA history.
The above quote shows the total lack of credibility on the subject by the poster.
1) In NAVHDA tests, no matter at what level of testing, there is no such thing as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th place. If so then NAVHDA tests would be competitions. NAVHDA tests, test dogs against a standard and award a prize classification to the dog. Prize 1, Prize 2, prize 3, or a no prize (fail). All dogs could flunk the test (no prize) on a certain day or all pass the test with Prize 3 classifications on a certain day. Ther are no places given in a NAVHDA test.
Your NAVHDA history is filled with untruths. Though two "pointing labs" were run by the then president of NAVHDA Bodo Winderfelt those dogs were run at the natural ability level. There is big jump from a natural ability level dog to a complete utility dog. The PL may or may not be able to complete the higher level of testing. It will never be known, as the labrador is not a recognized pointing breed by NAVHDA, so they decided not allow them in the tests. That is NAVHDA's choice. It is hard to disagee with the choice, since all guys say they have a lab that points at least "sometimes". The tests would be filled up with guys and labs that didn't point, when true versatile dogs would have to sit on the side lines because the tests were filled with "pointing labs". It is an organization thing.
As far as the elitist in NAVHDA, NSTRA, etc.....those types exist in every dog organization and testing/trialing venue on the planet. The retriever clubs think the only breeds that can retrieve a duck are labs, goldens, or chessies, so it goes both ways.....Like retrieving a dead duck floating 30 yards out is some great canine feat, that only retriever breeds can do.[:'(]