The Tracking Club of Wisconsin is a Licensed Club of the American Kennel Club
Need a dog book ?
TCoW is an authorized affiliate of Dogwise where All Things Dog! and over 3,000 books are available for you. Dogwise is the #1 Recommended Dog Book Site! by dog people, friends, trainers, and veterinarians. Just click on the Dogwise logo and start shopping! Dogwise donates a small commission from your purchase to TCoW for your patronage.
Trainer Proven
Products
For Your Pets TM
Pawmark donates a small commission from your purchase to TCoW for your patronage.
|
|
NOTE - The following is an overview of the requirements and specifications of this test. This is not a complete set of the regulations regarding this test. For further information TCoW recommends that you visit the American Kennel Club and view the entire Tracking Regulations for this event.
Tracking Dog Excellent Test (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.
A TDX test presents difficult challenges. 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.
Eligibility The TDX test shall be for dogs that have earned the TD title. A dog may continue to participate in this test after it has earned the TDX title. However, the tracking test secretary shall give priority to entries for dogs that do not hold a TDX title.
Tracking Dog Excellent Title (TDX) The American Kennel Club will issue a Tracking Dog Excellent certificate to registered dogs, and to dogs with ILP's, or Limited Registration, and will permit the use of the letters "TDX" after the name of each dog which has been certified by two judges to have passed a licensed or member club TDX test or at a combined TDX/VST test, or a combined TD/TDX test or a combined TD/TDX/VST test.
Track Requirements The following are the restrictions and minimum requirements for a TDX track:
- The track shall be at least 800 yards and not more than 1,000 yards in length.
- The length of each of the legs of the track shall be at least 50 yards.
- The scent on the track shall not be less than three (3) hours or more than five (5) hours old.
- A total of five (5) to seven (7) turns shall be used. Both left and right turns shall be used. The first turn shall be in an open area.
- Acute angles should never be used except in unusual circumstances when terrain dictates. A turn whose angle is severely acute shall not be used.
- At least three (3) turns shall be right angle 90 degree turns, and there should be more than three (3) such turns.
- No part of the track may be within 50 yards of any other part of the same track.
- No part of the track shall be within 75 yards of any other track.
Cross-Tracks On instruction from the judges, two (2) cross-tracklayers will lay the plotted cross-tracks at least 1 hour and 15 minutes, but not later than 1 hour and 45 minutes after the tracklayer has started laying the actual test track.
Obstacles for a Tracking Dog Excellent Test (TDX) There shall be at least two (2) obstacles to challenge the dog and handler. Obstacles are to be separated from articles and cross-tracks by more than 30 yards. A turn may be within 30 yards of an obstacle. There shall be no obstacle on the first leg.
The purpose of an obstacle is to test one or more of the following:
1. The dog's ability to adapt to changing scent conditions;
2. The dog's ability to continue scenting while overcoming physical obstacles; and
3. The dog's ability to continue scenting under difficult and varied handling conditions.
Various types of terrain and cover, including gullies, plowed land, woods and vegetation may be used. Natural obstacles such as streams, or man-made obstacles such as fences, bridges or lightly traveled roads may be used.
Articles for a Tracking Dog Excellent Test (TDX) The criteria for articles as contained in Chapter 2, Section 6, shall apply. The TDX test articles shall consist of four (4) personal, dissimilar articles, about the same size as a glove or wallet, that are to be dropped on the track by the tracklayer at the points indicated on the judges' charts. Only the last article may be a glove or a wallet.
The first article shall be dropped at the starting flag and be clearly visible to the handler. The next two (2) articles shall be dropped at wide intervals directly on the track at the places designated by the judges and marked on the chart. The fourth article shall be dropped at the end of the track.
Articles shall be dropped more than 30 yards from a turn, an obstacle, or a cross-track.
Start The start shall have one flag in an area which permits the direction of the track to begin in an arc of 180 degrees. The tracklayer will begin at least 30 yards from the starting flag, lining up with the starting flag and the next flag. The tracklayer will proceed along this line so there is no turn at the starting flag.
At the start of the track, the dog is to be given ample time to take the scent and to begin tracking. The handler may use any method as long as no force, guidance or roughness is used to start the dog at the first flag of the test. Since there is no second flag in this test, the handler must wait for the dog to commit itself before leaving the starting flag. Once the dog has left the starting flag the test has begun and no restart is permitted.
The handler may pick up the article at the starting flag and use it, as well as subsequent articles, to give scent to the dog while on the track.
Aiding of the Dog The dog may be physically assisted by the handler when obstacles, barriers or terrain so require.
|
|
