What prerequisites are there for entering a tracking trial?"
Dogs must be registered with Dogs SA or equivalent in your state. No obedience qualifications are necessary.
"What tracking titles are available?"
Tracking Dog (T.D.) Tracking Dog Excellent (T.D.X.) and Tracking Champion (T.Ch.)
"How many different tests are available?"
In order to qualify for Tracking Dog (T.D.) there are three tests. Test 1 is approximately 400 metres long with two changes of direction. There will be one article placed on the track. Tracks 2 & 3 are approximately 800 meters with a minimum of two changes of direction. There will be two articles placed on the track. The dog must find at least one article and the tracklayer to pass. For test one & two the handler is able to nominate the tracklayer. After this, all tracklayers will be unknown to the dog.
To qualify for Tracking Dog Excellent (T.D.X.) there are three tests and you must have your TD title. Tests four and five are 1000 meters with a minimum of four turns and test six is 1200 meters with a minimum of five changes of direction.
To qualify for Tracking Champion (T.Ch.) there are two tests and you must have your TDX title. Test seven and eight are 1200 meters with a minimum of six changes of direction with 3 articles on the track and an extra turn on test 8
The age of the tracks varies between a minimum of 20 minutes for Test One to a minimum of 90 minutes for test seven and a maximum of up to three hours for a test seven and eight.
TRACK AND SEARCH is a separate discipline - minimum age is 6 months
Track & Search Dog (TSD) is gained after successful completion of Test 3
Track & Search Dog Excellent (TSDX) is gained after successful completion of Test 6
Track and Search Dog Champion (TSCH) is gained after successful completion of Test 8
Track and Search Grand Champion (TSGrCH) title is gained after successful completion of Track 10
