Tracking - 
American Style

By Heather MacLeod

Usually when one thinks of a "tracking dog," specific breeds come to mind, like Bloodhounds or German Shepherds. White Shepherds are not a common sight at tracking tests, but many AWSA members have proven their dogs’ abilities by earning tracking titles and have enjoyed the added bonus of the strong bond that grows through working with their dog.

Tracking tests are designed to test a dog's ability to recognize and follow human scent, and their ability to locate and indicate any articles left on the track. Every dog is born knowing how to follow a scent trail, but the challenge in this sport is getting him to follow only the one that you want him to. This is not a competitive sport; there is no score awarded - simply pass or fail. The handler must be willing and able to work outdoors with the dog in all kinds of weather. Many people start tracking with puppies because it is a non-stressful, instinctive activity for a dog, and no prior obedience training is required.

In the US, tracking competitions are regulated by the AKC, so both registered and non-registered dogs are eligible to compete (non-registered dogs must have an ILP number - see the AKC website for the requirements for an ILP number). Any breed recognized by the AKC may participate in this sport, and this includes the white-coated German Shepherd Dog - whether or not they are spayed or neutered, whether they are on limited or full registration.

The Tests

Bailey at the start of her Canadian Kennel Club
Tracking Dog Excellent track.

In AKC licensed tests, dogs are evaluated on a pass/fail basis by two judges who witness the dog's performance on one track on one day. You need to pass only once to be awarded the title (unlike obedience, where you must pass three times to be awarded a title). There are currently four tracking titles awarded by the AKC: TD (Tracking Dog), TDX (Tracking Dog Excellent), VST (Variable Surface Tracker) and the coveted CT (Champion Tracker). These are the tests in tracking:

Certification - your dog must pass a “certification track” which is of the same complexity as a TD track. This is normally “judged” by an AKC approved tracking judge (although sometimes there are exceptions), but it is up to YOU to make arrangements to have your dog certified when you are SURE your dog is ready to pass.

TD (Tracking Dog) - prerequisite: certification. At a licensed test held by a club, your dog must complete a track with the following requirements: the track is 440 - 500 yards long, the scent on the track is 30 minutes - 2 hours old, there are a total of three to five turns (no acute angles), the track is laid by a stranger to the dog, and except for the first 30 yards, the handler does not know where the track goes. The dog must find and indicate the article (glove or wallet) that is left at the end of the track. (An indication can be anything from stopping and sniffing the glove to lying down at the article or retrieving the article).

Bailey on her American Kennel Club Tracking Dog Excellent track.

TDX (Tracking Dog Excellent) - prerequisite: TD. At a licensed test held by a club, your dog must complete a track with the following requirements: The track is 800 - 1000 yards long, the scent on the track is from three to five hours old, a total of five to seven turns are used, there are two sets of "cross tracks" where two people walk across the primary track, there are three articles to find along the track, there are at least two obstacles on the track (i.e. a road crossing, changes of cover, streams, fences). A stranger lays the track, and the handler has no idea where the track goes after the start flag. The dog may not follow the cross-tracks and must find all of the articles to pass.

VST (Variable Surface Tracker) - prerequisite: TD. At a licensed trial held by a club, your dog must complete a track with the following requirements: The track is 600 - 800 yards long, the scent on the track is from three to five hours old, the track has a minimum of three different surfaces (including vegetation and two surfaces devoid of vegetation such as concrete, asphalt, gravel, sand, mulch), and the areas devoid of vegetation must comprise at least one third to one half of the total track. Tracks can even be laid through open buildings such as gazebos or parking garages. There are three articles for the dog to find along the track. Cross tracks are not plotted, but should they occur, they are considered a normal occurrence for this type of test. A stranger lays the track, and the handler has no idea where the track goes after the start flag. The dog must find all of the articles to pass.

If a dog earns all three AKC titles, they also are awarded the title of CT (Champion Tracker).

Equipment

The equipment needed for tracking is minimal. A good beginner's text is Tracking From The Ground Up by Sandy Ganz and Susan Boyd. For the visual learners, Sandy Ganz also has a very good video: Tracking Fundamentals. Both the book and video are available from Dogwise on-line at www.dogwise.com. Essential equipment includes only a few stakes, an old leather glove and a long line (3 to 15 metres in length). Most people track with their dogs in a non-restrictive harness. While not required, it is usually much easier than tracking with a dog on a collar. Rubber boots and rain gear are also a good idea for the comfort of the handler! The most essential thing that is required (besides the dog) is LAND.

Large lawns such as those found in industrial parks are great to start on because the grass is cut regularly throughout spring and summer, yet these places don't usually get much foot traffic. City parks are usually more "contaminated" with lots of different scents. Farmers will often allow responsible trackers to use their fields after the hay has been cut, as long as they ask permission.

Tracking Links on the Internet

http://www.akc.org/dic/events/obedtrack/trackreg.cfm. This link will show you the latest copy of the AKC's Tracking Regulations. Browse through the AKC site to find event listings as well.

http://www.dogwise.com. Dogwise: a source for tracking books and videos.

http://personalweb.smcvt.edu/mrussell/TCV/ The Tracking Club of Vermont has a nice website that details tracking events in the New England states.

http://www.epick9.com/sta/ An informative site posted by The Southwest Tracking Association of Metropolitan Houston. Contains how-to articles and historical statistics on AKC tracking tests.

http://www.basset.net/track.html This site is not just for hounds! Check out Craig Green's excellent tracking training articles.

http://www.malinut.com/write/siab.shtml Scent-In-A-Bottle training method.

http://www.geocities.com/ckc_tracking/Tracking Canadian Style* - also written by the author, this site details Canadian tracking regulations, as well as photos, contacts, and Canadian test dates. More up-to-date than the CKC’s web site!

Braehead’s Bailey v Eis Haus CD, Can/Am TDX, HC, TT, CGC Owned, trained, handled by Heather MacLeod of New Brunswick, Canada Bred by Susan Ewart of Massachusetts, USA Left: Judge Carol Simpson, Heather and Bailey, Judge Mary Thompson and tracklayer Miles Garrod after Bailey passed her AKC TDX track.

Bailey is the first and only White Shepherd/White German Shepherd to earn a CKC TDX (title earned Oct. 5, 1997 under judge Sharon Smith). She is also the first and only WS/WGSD to earn an AKC TDX (title earned Nov. 1, 1998 under judges Mary Thompson and Carol Simpson).

Text and photos copyright ©2001 by Heather MacLeod - To date, the author has earned 4 CKC TDs, 2 CKC TDXs, 2 AKC TDs and one AKC TDX on her German Shepherd Dogs, and has assisted in training several other breeds for competition. She is currently training her White Shepherd Bailey in VST.