AKC Tests

WHAT IS TRACKING?

Tracking demonstrates a dog’s ability to recognize and follow human scent, a skill that is useful in the service of mankind.

Overview of American Kennel Club Tracking Tests

View AKC Tracking Regulations (pdf) by The American Kennel Club

The fundamental features of a Tracking Test are the dogs’ ability to follow a track laid by a person under a variety of conditions and to find an article(s) dropped by that person. There are 4 tracking tests offered under AKC regulations. They are:

Tracking Dog (TD)

The track will be between 440 to 500 yards and aged between 30 minutes and 2 hours. There will be a starting flag with a cloth article approximately the size of a glove or wallet and another flag 30 yards away indicating the direction of the first leg. The handler will follow at not less than 20 feet. There will be 3 to 5 right angle turns (right and left) with each leg of the turn being at least 50 yards long.

Tracks will be plotted and laid in open fields with at least 2 of the turns being made in the open. At the end of the track will be a glove or wallet. The tracklayer must be a stranger to the dog. The dog must be in a harness with the handler following at a distance of at least 20 feet. While the handler can give verbal encouragement, he/she may not guide or give directional commands. The handler may carry water but not food or toys. There is no time limit if the dog is working. The test is pass/fail. (A dog must be certified ready by an AKC Tracking Judge or by a person/evaluator who has handled a dog to a TDX or VST title within the last 10 years before entering a TD test.)

Tracking Dog Urban (TDU)

This is an optional titling event. The track will be between 400 to 500 yards, aged between 30 minutes and 2 hours. Three dissimilar articles made of fabric or leather the size of a glove or wallet are used. Similar to a TD track, a TDU track will have a start flag with an article and a second flag 30 yards from the first flag indicating the direction of the first leg. The handler will follow at not less than 10 feet. The track will have a minimum of two different surfaces – vegetated and non-vegetated. There are a total of 3 to 5 right angle turns. Tracks may be in the vicinity of buildings and other structures but there are no physical barriers. The second article is dropped approximately in the middle of the track, and the third article is dropped at the end. The test is pass/fail. (A dog who has not previously passed a TD test must be certified ready by an AKC Tracking Judge or by a person/evaluator who has handled a dog to a TDX or VST title within the last 10 years before entering a TDU test.)

Tracking Dog Excellent (TDX)

Dog must have first earned a TD. The purpose of this test 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. Judges are to plot tracks as challenging and realistic as the terrain will permit, while maintaining proper concern for the safety of the dogs and handlers. The track will be between 800 to 1,000 yards and aged 3 to 5 hours. Only a start flag is used to indicate where the track begins, and the track will have 5 to 7 turns ( of which at least three will be right angle turns). Cross-tracks are laid at two widely separated places on the track to challenge the dog’s ability to remain on the proper track. At least two obstacles are included to challenge the dog and handler (i.e. plowed land, gullies, roads, woods, bridges, fences). Four personal, dissimilar articles are dropped on the track, one of these at the start flag, two on the track and one at the end. The end article must be a glove or wallet. Dog must indicate the last three articles. The handler will follow the dog not less than 20 feet, except in obstacles where the distance is 10 feet. The test is pass/fail.

Variable Surface Tracking (VST)

Dog must have first earned a TD or TDX title. This is a test of credibility, verifying the dog’s ability to recognize and follow human scent while adapting to changing scenting conditions. The track will be 600 to 800 yards long and the track shall have a minimum of three different surfaces, which shall include vegetation and two areas devoid of vegetation, such as concrete, asphalt, gravel, sand, hard pan or mulch. Areas devoid of vegetation shall comprise at least one-third to one-half of the total length of the track. There will be no physical obstacles as in the TDX track. Track will be 3 to 5 hours old, with 4 to 8 turns, with at least one turn in an area devoid of vegetation. There will be four dissimilar articles (one each of leather, plastic, metal and fabric); one at the start flag (the start will be in vegetation), two on the track and one at the end. One article must be dropped in an area devoid of vegetation. The handler will follow the dog not less than 10 feet. The test is pass/fail.

Find a Tracking Test

Tracking Clubs and other dog clubs sponsor tracking tests in many locations. To find a test, visit the AKC at www.akc.org. Select Sports & Events then Event Search. Click on Companion Events and then select Tracking Events.

For those interested, tests are also offered in Canada. Some of the test rules and regulations may differ from the AKC, so check with the Canadian Kennel Club for current rules at www.ckc.ca.