An earthdog test or earthdog trial tests the working ability and instinct of the small, often short-legged terriers or Dachshunds.[1][2][3] These dogs were bred to hunt vermin and other quarry which lived in underground dens. Earthdog den tests involve human-made tunnels that the dogs must navigate, while scenting a rat, "the quarry". The dog must follow the scent to the quarry and then "work" the quarry. Depending on the sanctioning organization, "working" means barking, scratching, staring, pawing, digging; any active behavior. The quarry is protected at all times by wooden bars across the end of the tunnel. The hunting encounter is controlled, and neither the dog nor the quarry (usually two rats) are endangered by the activity.
In Canada, earthdog tests are sanctioned by the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC). In the United States, two major organizations sanction earthdog tests: the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the American Working Terrier Association (AWTA). In the European Union, earthdog trials have been illegal since May 1992 under the stipulations of the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals, which legally classifies the activity as a form of dog fighting.[4]
^Lee, Muriel P. (17 April 2012). Fox Terrier. i5 Publishing. ISBN 9781593786304. Retrieved 7 February 2019 – via Google Books.
^Mehus-Roe, Kristin (4 October 2011). Original Dog Bible: The Definitive Source for All Things Dog. i5 Publishing. ISBN 9781935484899. Retrieved 7 February 2019 – via Google Books.
^Volhard, Jack; Volhard, Joachim; Volhard, Wendy (22 July 2005). Dog Training For Dummies. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 9780764584183. Retrieved 7 February 2019 – via Google Books.
^Harris, David (2012). The Bully Breeds. Fox Chapel Publishing. ISBN 9781621870326 – via Google Books.
An earthdog test or earthdogtrial tests the working ability and instinct of the small, often short-legged terriers or Dachshunds. These dogs were bred...
threshold. Pertaining to working terriers and other small hunting dogs, earthdogtrials are used to determine the dog's gameness in hunting dangerous pest...
places; the breed is among those eligible for competition in sanctioned Earthdogtrials. The working dog version of the Lakeland is often known as the Fell...
modeled to some extent on the way dogs are used in police work. The first trial of "Ring Sport" was organized in 1903 in Mechelen (French: Malines), Belgium...
to their predisposition to back injuries. Another favorite sport is earthdogtrials, in which dachshunds enter tunnels with dead ends and obstacles attempting...
sports, including herding and farm dog trials, scent work trials, earthdogtrials, lure coursing trials and field trials for Bassets, Beagles, coonhounds,...
mistake for quarry, such as cats and rabbits. Glens often do well at Earthdogtrials, Barn Hunt, and in agility. Although not typically strong swimmers...
and others are of more interest to the dog than to spectators, as in earthdogtrials and hunt tests. Conformation shows: Originally devised for the selection...
that no terrier is disqualified for barking when in actual contact. Earthdogtrial Badger-baiting Working terrier Behaviour and Personality Assessment...
sports Agility Carting Conformation shows Disc dog Dock jumping Earthdogtrials Field trials Fighting Flyball Greyhound racing Junior Showmanship Lure coursing...
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