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Tracking Information

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Tracking Index

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What is tracking?

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Why track?

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Scent

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Beginner’s Guide to Tracking

The AKC has written a useful booklet describing how to get started in tracking as well as explanations about their tracking tests. Click here to obtain the pdf version.

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Comparison of AKC Tracking Tests

Characteristics	Tracking Dog (TD)	Tracking Dog Excellent (TDX)	Variable Surface Tracking (VST)
Length	440 – 500 yards	800 – 1000 yards	600 – 800 yards
Age	½ - 2 hours	3 – 5 hours	3 – 5 hours
Start	2 flags	1 flag	1 flag
Surface	Consistent vegetation	Fields – variable cover and terrain	Vegetated and at least two non-vegetated surfaces (concrete, asphalt, gravel, dirt, etc)
Articles	Leather glove or wallet at end	Four personal items – one at start two on track, leather glove or wallet at end. No plastic or metal. All drops more than 30 yards from turns, obstacles or cross-tracks	Four non-personal items – one leather or fabric at start, two on track, one at end. Leather, fabric, metal and plastic, one dropped on non-vegetated surface. All at least 10 yards from turns.
Cross Tracks	None	Two widely spaced, two people walk across track	None required but tracks in public areas where unplanned cross-tracks are possible, even likely.
Obstacles	None	At least two (fences, roads, water, hills, gullies, changes of cover, etc)	None, but normal items such as stairs, ramps, etc may be used on track
Minimum Legs	50 yards	50 yards	30 yards (15 yards vegetated on start)
Previous Requirements	Certification	TD	TD + 6 months
Distance from dog	20 feet	20 feet but may shorten for cover	10 feet

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Judge List for the Northeast

The 16 judges listed below are the tracking judges approved by the AKC who live in New England and New York. If your instructors are unavailable and you need help or have questions, you should not hesitate to call anyone on the list who lives in your area. Most members of the tracking community are happy to discuss tracking with anyone who’s really interested in our sport. Like other trackers, the judges will often make time to talk with you about a problem. Please feel free to contact them.

Mrs. Dana Avison Bondville, VT (802) 297-2551 vtdana@vermontel.net	Mrs. Carole Bolan Dunstable, MA (978) 649-6338
Mr. Michael Clemens Albany, NY (518) 456-3429	Mr. Robert Cuzner Portland, ME (207) 775-1389 Becuz42@cs.com
Mr. Raymond Desmarais Barrington, NH (603) 664-5505 mirasolGR@aol.com	Mr. Miles Garrod Bedford, NH (603) 471-0360
Mr. James Hanson, Sr. Windham, ME (207) 892-7187 jimhansonsr@worldnet.att.net	Ms. Celeste Kelly York, ME (207) 363-4620 dwolfman@gwi.net
Mrs. Randie Meyer Amherst, NH (603) 673-0182 laekenois@sprintmail.com	Ms. Bette Mueller Franklin, NY (607) 829-2187 bmueller@hmpress.com
Dr. Lily Mummert Mahopac, NY (914) 621-2316 lily@cs.cmu.edu	Mr. Robert Parsons Boxborough, MA (508) 265-7156
Ms. Salle Richards Beaver Dams, NY (607) 535-9838 sallerichards@yahoo.com	Mrs. Mary Thompson York, ME (207) 363-2492 frshstrt@maine.rr.com
Mr. Arthur Twiss Reading, MA (781) 944-5408 atwiss2@verizon.net	Mrs. Suzanne White Appleton, ME (207) 845-2888 gaeakaos@midcoast.com

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2006 AKC Tracking Statistics

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Tracking Regulations - AKC

Everything you need or want to know about AKC tracking tests.

Click here to obtain AKC tracking regulations in pdf format.

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Tracking Regulations - CKC

Everything you need or want to know about competing in Canada for a CKC tracking title.

Click here to obtain CKC tracking regulations in pdf format.

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Tracking Regulations – ASCA

The Australian Shepherd Club of America holds tracking tests not always limited just to Aussies. Passing a tracking test can earn your ASCA TD or TDX.

Click here to obtain ASCA tracking regulations in pdf format.

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Tracking Poem

A Tracklayer's Lament
By Sarah ten Bensel


Oh, I pity the dog that runs this track.
It started so well but I could not find my way back
The first flag was easy and so was number two,
But things quickly faltered …what's a track-layer to do?


Sixty-seven paces to the far tree-line,
A right past the maple next to the sign,
Then out popped a pheasant, and then a raccoon
A tracker's dilemma but a hunting dog's boon!


I was steadfast and determined despite all my doubt
Besides, I thought, isn't this was tracking is about?


Continuing forward beyond the cover change
The woods appeared to open to a large range.
And from the east a strong wind came.
I referenced the turn and it started to rain


I reached in my pouch to get my rain hat
I fell in the mud on my face, flat.
The mud was thick and deep like a stew.
I emerged from this swamp minus a shoe.


Then through the short weeds that suddenly grew,
I was quickly lost and it was only turn two
"Why do I do this? This sport of tracking and all!
I only wanted my dog to come when I call!!"


I limped ahead to rest by a tree.
"Oh no!" I pondered, "Is this leg three?!"
Do I go left, do I go right, or move straight ahead
What direction did I come from, may be I'll go backward instead.


My tracklaying friends will understand—they are so nice,
What we really need is a global positioning device.
I pulled my out my map I so carefully plotted,
But the hard rain that came had left it all rotted.


I just plodded forward toward a small well
Meandered through thorns—this track's gone to hell!
So I zigged and I zagged through sand and rock.
All this wear-n-tear I was now without the sock


Finally I decided to end this journey-
I placed a brown glove next to an oak tree.
Miraculously I found my way back to my friends.
They were wide eyed and worried. "It's late! Where've you been?"


I smiled and told them about my disaster.
I tried to return sooner but I could not go faster.
In all, I said, I was glad to be back
But I pity the dog that will run on my track.


Happy Tracking!

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