Tracking Trials

Most dogs follow their noses. Tracking trials turn this attribute into a fun and challenging activity.

Patterned after search-and-rescue missions, tracking trials test a dog’s ability to follow a scent trail. A human ”tracklayer” walks through a field and leaves an article of his or her clothing at the end of the trail, at least 500 yards away. Wearing a tracking harness with a long leash, each dog follows the scent trail and leads its handler to the item of clothing. Dogs that pass the test earn titles, such as Tracking Dog (TD), Tracking Dog Excellent (TDX) or Champion Tracker (CT) from the American Kennel Club or another sponsoring organization.

In Britain, bloodhounds compete in a sport called Hunting the Clean Boot in which they follow the scent of a human, or “quarry,” who sets out running an hour ahead of the pack. There are also breed-specific tracking trials for basset hounds, beagles, coonhounds, and dachshunds.