The Tracking Club of Wisconsin is a Licensed Club of the American Kennel Club
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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.
Interested in seeing who has passed the Variable Surface Tracking Test (VST) since it's inception in 1995, click here to view the VST Wall of Fame.
Variable Surface Tracking Test (VST)
The Variable Surface Tracking Test is a test of credibility, verifying the dog's ability to recognize and follow human scent while adapting to changing scenting conditions. The test is to be as practical as possible while demonstrating the dog's willingness and ability to follow a specific scent which is given to the dog at the start of the test. The training and conditioning of the dog must be designed to develop the inner drive, motivation and determination necessary for the dog to work with intensity and perseverance.
Judges are encouraged to permit spectators to follow along on the track, at a distance which does not interfere with the working of the dog. A "guide" may be appointed to control the gallery.
Eligibility The Variable Surface Tracking Test (VST) shall be for dogs that have earned the TD or TDX title.
A dog may continue to participate in this test after it has earned the VST title. However, the tracking test secretary shall give priority to entries for dogs that do not hold a VST title.
Variable Surface Tracking Test (VST) The American Kennel Club will issue a Variable Surface Tracking Dog certificate to registered dogs and to dogs with ILP's or Limited Registration and will permit use of the letters "VST" after the name of each dog which has been certified by both judges to have passed a licensed or member club Variable Surface Tracking test or at a combined TD/VST test or at a combined TDX/VST test or at a combined TD/TDX/VST test.
Champion Tracker Title Certificate The American Kennel Club will issue a Champion Tracker certificate for each registered dog and to dogs with ILP (Indefinite Listing Privilege) or Limited Registrations and will permit the use of the letters CT preceding the name of each dog which has earned all three tracking titles: TD, TDX and VST.
Variable Surface Tracking Test Requirements The following are the restrictions and minimum requirements for a variable surface track:
- The track shall be at least 600 yards and not more than 800 yards in length.
- The track shall have a minimum of three (3) different surfaces, which shall include vegetation and two (2) areas devoid of vegetation, such as concrete, asphalt, gravel, sand, hard pan or mulch. The areas devoid of vegetation shall comprise at least one-third (1/3) to one-half (1/2) of the total length of the track.
- The length of each of the legs of the track shall be at least 30 yards.
- The track shall be plotted using different surfaces and scenting conditions as afforded by the terrain. There shall be no physical obstacles or obstructions such as are used on a TDX track. The level of physical difficulty should be such that it will permit all American Kennel Club breeds and handlers of any age to participate. Ordinary stair steps are not considered to be an obstacle, but a wall or fence which must be climbed over or scaled is an obstruction that must be avoided.
- The scent on the track shall be not less than three (3) hours nor more than five (5) hours old.
- Turns shall be on various surfaces as dictated by the terrain. There shall be at least four (4) and not more than eight (8) turns on a track. Both right and left turns shall be used. At least three (3) of the turns shall be right angle (90 degree) turns and there should be more than three (3) such turns. Tracks may be laid along the sides of buildings and fences, through buildings with two or more openings or that are open sided, such as breezeways, shelters or roofed parking garages, but may not enter a building with closed doors and sides. At least one (1) 90 degree turn shall be in an area devoid of vegetation and plotted to allow at least thirty (30) yards before crossing or returning to a vegetated surface. Acute angle turns are to be avoided.
- No part of the track shall be within fifty (50) yards of any other track. No part of the track may be within thirty (30) yards of any other part of the same track.
- All tracks shall be laid utilizing buildings and the diverse scenting conditions created by being in close proximity to such buildings. Tracks shall also utilize any and/all other structures such as fences, breezeways, ramps, stairs, bridges, shelters, roofed parking garages, through courtyards and buildings with two or more openings and/or open buildings. The intent of Variable Surface Tracking stresses that dogs shall be able to handle the diffusion of scent created by these structures. Tracks shall be as equal in complexity as possible in this regard. Tracks may not enter a building with closed doors and sides.
- Should an animal, pedestrian or vehicular traffic appear or move across the track, the dog and handler will continue to work the track, as incidents such as these are considered a normal occurrence for this test.
Articles for Variable Surface Tracking Test The VST test articles shall consist of four (4) dissimilar, common, everyday items which can be easily carried by the tracklayer and safely picked up by the dog. Each article shall not be smaller than 2" x 4" nor larger than 5" x 5" and shall weigh no more than 8 ounces. There shall be one leather, one plastic (rigid or semi-rigid), one metal and one fabric article, which shall be handled by the tracklayer and are to be dropped on the track by the tracklayer at the points indicated on the judges' charts. The first article shall be fabric or leather. The last article shall be clearly and temporarily marked with the number "4."
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 so marked on the chart. One article must be dropped in one of the areas devoid of vegetation. The fourth article shall be dropped at the end of the track.
The judges shall mark a dog "Passed" if an article is not found and cannot be located by the judges or the tracklayer, provided that the dog worked continuously and intently along the actual track. Should a dog find additional articles along the track, the dog is not to be failed and is permitted to continue.
Start The start and the first twenty (20) yards of the track shall be in an area of vegetation and shall have one flag at the beginning which permits the track to go in one of several possible directions within an arc of 180 degrees, whenever possible. The tracklayer will begin at a point about 30 yards from the starting flag, lining up with the flag in the direction of the first leg. The tracklayer will then proceed along this line so there is no turn at the starting flag.
General Requirements.
- Plotting an alternate track is not required.
- Both judges must walk every track and plot all tracks together.
- A previously used track may not be run either forward or backward within three (3) days of use.
- The same tracklayer may not be used on contiguous tracks.
- For the safety of the dog and handler, judges must be aware of surface temperature in hot weather, especially on asphalt and concrete. Tracks must not be run on surfaces where the judges and/or tracking committee have knowledge of recent treatment with chemicals which could cause injury to the dog or handler. If conditions are such as to be unsafe for the dog or handler, or in the event of an unforeseen emergency, the test secretary, upon the recommendation of the judges, may extend the duration of a Variable Surface tracking test by one day or more within a fifteen (15) day period after the original date, provided that the change of date is satisfactory to the handlers and owners of entered dogs. If a satisfactory date cannot be agreed upon, the test is then canceled.
- A variable surface tracking site totally or partially covered in snow would not meet the criteria of three (3) different surfaces including vegetated and non-vegetated surfaces and snow covered portions of a site may seriously affect the proper utilization of the site as a whole.
- All other general tracking regulations apply to the Variable Surface Tracking test.
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