Earthdog
Earthdog Practice
Saturdays
10:30 am – 2 pm
May 19, 2012
June 16, 2012
July 21, 2012
Open to members &
nonmembers
Register day of practice
$6 one dog
$5 per dog for two or more
dogs
Practices are held at
Williams Residence
4565 Diehl Road, Metamora,
MI
Grounds open at 10:00 - First run at
10:30
Lunch available at noon
Things you might want to
bring to practice
Comfortable shoes or boots
Outdoor clothing &
rain gear
Plain Collar free from
tags
Regular leash (no flex
leads please)
Chair
Crate
Water
August 11, 2012
Two Events in One Day!
What is earthdog? An Earthdog trial is to test a dog’s ability to follow
game and "work it". Either artificial
or cage-protected live quarry is used for the tests. MCFTC uses cage-protected
rats. Dogs that are
registered with the They do not need
to be intact, and purebred dogs that have been
assigned “Indefinite Listing Privilege” (ILP)
numbers, may also participate. A copy of the
current Rules and Regulations for Earthdog can be
obtained through the
Class levels in American Kennel Club tests
|
Endurance Earthdog (EE) |
A new earthdog
title for those who choose to pursue a goal after their dog has achieved the
Master Earthdog title. The Endurance Earthdog (EE) title is earned when a dog, on five
occasions, passes both the Senior and Master classes at the same event (one
event number). |
|
Junior Earthdog Class
and Title (JE) |
Open to all eligible breeds of dogs that have
not been recorded as or received qualifying scores in Senior Earthdog or Master Earthdog. |
|
Senior Earthdog Class
and Title (SE) |
Open to dogs that have acquired the Junior Earthdog title and to dogs that have been recorded by the
|
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Master Earthdog Class
and Title (ME) |
Open only to dogs that have acquired the
Senior Earthdog title. |
|
Introduction
to Quarry (IQ) |
The beginner’s instinct test, which is for
practice only with no titles awarded.
It is for the dog that has never gone to ground before. IQ introduces the dog to the tunnel &
rats. MCFTC uses a tunnel that is approximately 9” x 9” upside down U-shaped
liner with an earth floor. The tunnel is 10 feet long with a right angle turn
and at the end is a cage with 2 rats. There is a rat scent trail leading into
the tunnel and to the rats. At IQ level the handler can encourage the dog
into the tunnel and tell the dog to “Get that Rat “and help get the dog
working at the rats by shaking the cage or making a noise to incite the dog's
instincts. Working quarry includes, but is not limited to
barking, lunging, pawing, digging and generally harassing the quarry |
|
False Den |
Pile of bedding material, heavily scented
to simulate the litter/bedding found in most natural dens. |
|
Go to the ground |
Follow quarry, ranging from rats to
badgers, into their dens. |
|
Honor |
Wait quietly while another dog works. |
|
Quarry |
Live quarry in the form of two rats is most
commonly used. The rats are kept in a wire cage with food and water. The cage
is kept separate from the dogs. Artificial quarry properly scented and
capable of movement may also be used. |
|
Release |
For Introduction to Quarry, Junior and
Senior tests, all collars and leads are removed from the dogs prior to
entering the test area. Dogs may be placed on the ground before release or
may be released from a point no higher than waist level. Throwing the dog in
the direction of the den entrance is not permitted, and shall cause the dog
to fail the test. The handler may at the time of release give the dog one
short command with no penalty, but then shall stand quietly at the release
point and shall not move until instructed by the judge. |
|
Scent line |
An invisible line that has been scented
with rat, fox or raccoon scent. The rat scent is usually obtained by
soaking fouled rat bedding in water. This is popularly known as
"Rat Tea". |
|
Tunnel |
Test tunnels are dug so that a 9" by
9" wooden liner can sit flush with the surface of the ground. The liner
covers the sides and top while the floor of the tunnel is bare earth, scented
with rat. |
|
Working |
Working is defined as digging, barking,
growling, lunging, biting at the quarry cage, or any other action which, in
the opinion of the Judge, indicates the dog's interest in the quarry (two
rats or an artificial quarry). Staring does not count as work. |
The
classified as eligible to participate in Earthdog Tests
|
Australian Terriers |
Glen of Imaal
Terriers |
Rat Terriers |
|
Bedlington Terriers |
|
Russell Terriers |
|
Border Terriers |
|
Scottish Terriers |
|
Cairn Terriers |
Miniature Bull Terriers |
Sealyham Terriers |
|
Cesky
Terriers |
Miniature Schnauzers |
Silky Terriers |
|
Dachshunds |
|
Skye Terriers |
|
Dandie
Dinmont Terriers |
|
Welsh Terriers |
|
Fox Terriers (Smooth & Wire) |
Parson Russell Terriers |
West |
.
The
More information go to AKC.org or contact webmaster at motorcitiesfoxterrierclub@yahoo.com
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Digging the Third
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