A variety of exciting events evaluate inherited and trained abilities and award titles to qualifying dogs. These activities are available to registered purebreds through the American Kennel Club (AKC) and some of them are available to non-registered purebreds and mixed-breed dogs through the American Mixed-Breed Obedience Registration (AMBOR).
Hunting Tests
If Spot is an AKC-registered dog of any breed in the Sporting Group, he is eligible to participate in non-competitive Hunting Tests. These tests evaluate a dog’s ability to serve as a hunting companion by assessing its natural hunting instincts, as well as its training. Judging is based on how closely your dog’s work meets an acceptable standard of performance.
Spaniels, retrievers, and pointing dogs each have their own type of Hunting Test to match their specific hunting style. The Test setting is as close to natural hunting conditions as possible, and Tests are offered at three levels of difficulty. Most of the handlers who enter their dogs at Hunting Tests are not competitive hunters. They simply enjoy outdoor sports and believe dogs should still be capable of performing the work for which they were originally bred. There are many Hunting Test clubs across the United States where you and Spot can learn the skills necessary to earn a Hunting Test title. To find one near you, contact the American Kennel Club.
Lure Coursing
Sighthounds were originally bred for coursing live game thousands of years ago. In fact, murals on 4,000-year-old Egyptian tombs show sleek hounds in full gallop chasing fleet-footed hares and antelopes. Today, the sport of lure coursing gives sighthounds an opportunity to participate in a humane sport that simulates their ancient purpose. Instead of chasing live game, the hounds dash after a mechanical lure with flapping white plastic bags as surrogate prey. The lure is created by running a string through a set of pulleys, and laid out so the bags seem to run away and make turns with an action similar to live game. Exhilarating to the eye and great fun for the hounds, lure coursing is gaining popularity yearly.
If Spot is a registered sighthound (a hound bred to hunt wild game by sight and speed), he’s eligible for lure coursing tests and trials. Breeds participating in lure coursing include Afghan Hounds, Basenjis, Borzois, Greyhounds, Ibizan Hounds, Irish Wolfhounds, Pharaoh Hounds, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Salukis, Scottish Deerhounds, and Whippets.
If Spot was formerly a racing Greyhound, he will be registered with the National Greyhound Association (NGA) instead of the AKC, but will still be eligible for coursing events. Sometimes the owner of a retired racer can’t get the dog’s NGA volume and certificate number. If you have that problem, contact AKC and request an application for an Indefinite Listing Privilege (ILP) number. Fill out the form as directed, return it with the required fee and requested photos, and in a few weeks your dog will have an ILP number and be eligible for coursing competition.
Coursing events are held under the rules of the American Kennel Club (AKC) or the American Sighthound Field Association (ASFA).
Herding
AKC’s herding program develops and preserves the skills instinctive to the traditional herding breeds, and gives modern dogs an opportunity to perform the work their ancestors were originally bred for. Tests and trials at a variety of levels evaluate a dog’s basic instinct and trainability. Eligible AKC recognized breeds include the Australian Cattle Dog, Bearded Collie, Belgian Malinois, Belgian Sheepdog, Belgian Tervuren, Border Collie, Bouvier des Flandres, Briard, Collie, German Shepherd Dog, Old English Sheepdog, Puli, Samoyed. Shetland Sheepdog, Cardigan Welsh Corgi, and Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
Only a few of the handlers at AKC herding events actually use their dogs to work livestock. The majority are people who love outdoor sports, enjoy dog training, and love watching their dogs incredible herding instincts in action. Tests and trials are offered at six levels of difficulty, from beginner to extremely advanced. Contact AKC for additional information and a list of herding clubs.
Earthdog Events
The small terrier breeds and all varieties of Dachshunds were originally bred to hunt and kill vermin. In fact, the word “terrier,” comes from the Latin “terra,” which means “earth” or “ground,” and terriers earned their name by digging into the ground after their prey. Their job was to keep homes and farms free of mice, rats, foxes, and other pests that contaminate grain or kill poultry.
Today these dogs are cherished mainly as companions, but AKC’s Earthdog Tests give them a chance to prove they still have the instincts of old. If Spot is an AKC-registered Dachshund, Australian Terrier, Bedlington Terrier, Border Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Smooth or Wire Fox Terrier, Lakeland Terrier, Manchester Terrier, Norfolk Terrier, Norwich Terrier, Scottish Terrier, Sealyham Terrier, Skye Terrier, Welsh Terrier, or West Highland White Terrier, then he is eligible to participate.
At Earthdog tests, dogs enter a tunnel, find their quarry (securely caged laboratory rats), and work the quarry by barking, digging, growling, lunging, or any other action indicating their eagerness to finish off their prey. Don’t worry, they never do! The rats are safe and the dogs relish the test. Four levels of non-competitive tests are offered. For more information and a list of Earthdog Clubs, contact the American Kennel Club.
Making the Fun Last Forever
Make fun and games part of your lifestyle with Spot whether or not you participate in organized events. Your dog will always be young at heart and will keep you that way, if you let him. Remember the basics of daily care and use your dog’s training during everyday living, and life with Spot will always be charming.
