What is Tracking?

Have you ever watched a dog trail a critter with its nose to the ground? Watched a search and rescue dog indicate a person buried below rubble? Watched a dog find a lost child? All of these events occur because a dog has an incredible sense of smell. Dogs are able to use their noses to find people or objects that aren’t always visible to people.

Tracking with your dog is beyond a rewarding experience of just acquiring a title. Tracking is a sport that’s brings in a heightened demand upon a person’s ability to work with their dog as part of a team. The uniqueness of tracking is derived form the fact it is one of the few sports that requires the dog to make the initiative, based on what they have been taught, rather than the handler giving the directions as to what they need to do. It gives a whole new meaning to the statement “TRUST YOUR DOG.”

There are three levels of tracking tests. There is the Tracking Dog (TD), Tracking Dog Excellent (TDX), and Variable Surface Track (VST). When all three titles are earned your dog will receive the Champion Tracking (CT).

Each level requires that the dog and handler work as a team. With each level the critera is different, but all required a well trained dog and handler to work together as a team. Unlike other performance events where a person has to qualify three times to earn a title, with tracking you need only to pass once.

Lets take a look at the difference between the tests.

“The fundamental features of a TD test are the dog’s ability to follow a track laid by a person under a variety of conditions on moderate terrain and find an article dropped by that person.” (AKC tracking regulations, Chapter 3: Tracking Dog Test.)

Tracking Requirements for the TD:

*Length of track is between 440-500 yards

*Each leg (stretch of track between two turns) is at least 50 yards

*Age of scent is between 30 mins. to 2 hours

*3-5 turns required. (turns include right/left turns at 90 degrees or open turns. Acute

angle turns are not allowed)

*Cross tracks are not allowed.

*Tracks are allowed to go over small paths such as jogging paths that are approximately

6 ft or less in width.

*No part of the track will follow any fence or boundary within 15 yards of such fence or boundary.

*Tracks may also go through an opening from one field into another if necessary.

*The start article will be appoximately the size of a glove or wallet.

*The final article must be either a glove or wallet.

Dog Eligibility:

*Dogs must be at least six months old on the day of the test.

*Dogs must be certified by an AKC tracking or provisional tracking judge.

*Certification MUST be submitted with entry.

*The test-giving club has the option of allowing or not allowing bitches in season to run. If the test-giving club allows bitches in season to run the entry will state “Bitches in season may participate”. They usually run the last track. If your female is in season notify the tracking secretary upon arrival to the test or prior to the test. DO NOT bring your bitch out of the car until you talk with secretary.

For more info on the TD test click here

TDX

"The fundamental feature of a Tracking Dog Excellent test (TDX) is to show unquestionably that the dog has the ability to discriminate scent and possesses the stamina, perseverance, and courage to do so under a wide variety of conditions." (AKC Tracking Regulations, Chapter 4: Tracking Dog Excellent Test)

Tracking requirements for the TDX:

Track must be at least 800-1000 yards in length
Each leg must be at least 50 yards in length
Age of scent is between 3-5 hours old
2 cross-tracks plotted at least 1 hour 15 minutes after the track was laid
2 obstacles to challenge the dog and handler

Various types of terrains and cover are used which includes: gullies, plowed lands, and any vegetation. Other obstacles can also include streams, bridges, roads and fences

5-7 turns required. Both right and left turns
No restarts permitted

Dog Eligibility:

Dog MUST have the TD title

VST

"The Variable Surface Tracking Test is a test of credibility, verifying the dog’s ability to recognize and follow human scent while adapting to changing scenting conditions. The test is to be as practical as possible while demonstrating the dog’s willingness and ability to follow a specific scent given to the dog at the start of the test. The training and conditioning of the dog must be designed to develop the inner drive, motivation, and determination necessary for the dog to work with intensity and perseverance." (AKC Tracking regulations Chapter 5: Variable Surface Test)

Tracking requirements for the VST:

Track must be between 600-800 yards in length
3 different surfaces, with 2 areas de-voided of vegetation that make up 1/3 – 2/3 of total track.
Length of each leg is at least 30 yards
Age of track is 3-5 hours old
4-8 turns, both right and left turns used and at least one turn must be on non-vegetative surface
Tracks may be laid along side building, fences, between buildings, shelters etc.
4 articles including 1 plastic, 1 metal, 1 cloth, 1 leather
No restarts permitted