Just a brief synopsis on testing. The first test is the VJP. This is done the spring following the year pup was born. If they were born after October, it will be the following year. This test is more or less a natural ability test although you will want to expose the dog to a lot of things and train for it. In this test they are looking at the way the dog searches, uses his nose, cooperates with you, tracks a hare and points.
The next test, the HZP, is done that fall and requires more training. This test includes everything from the VJP except usually the hare track. So again, nose, search, cooperation, and pointing. It also has the dreaded hare drag and retrieve as well as the water work. This includes the gun sensitivity, blind retrieve and search behind the live duck. You will want to have your dog trained in retrieving (force fetch) for this test.
Then if you want to continue, the last test is the VGP or utility test. This includes everything from the first two tests but also forest work which is the fox drag and retrieve and blood tracking. The VGP is not a requirement for breeding however. If you go through the tests and want to be certified to breed, you also need to go through a breed show, where the dogs coat, conformation, height, length, gait, bite and teeth are evaluated. You also need to have hips, shoulders and elbows x-rayed and evaluated. There’s also the “hardness” test. Which is probably better explained in a PM.
As far as not wanting your dog to hunt rabbits, I was hesitant to use mine on fur at first too. But it has not affected my dogs bird hunting, both upland and waterfowl one bit. In fact, it’s made him a better dog in my opinion. Besides, it’s pretty fun to take your dog hunting everything from birds and varmints to big game. There’s a lot of information to unpack so if you want to communicate via PM. I looked for information about training for the tests and like you, found that there’s not a ton out there. I have a few resources and a little experience now so let me know and I’ll try to point you in the right direction.