Sniffydog — Train Your Dog’s Nose

The AKC is implementing a new program to include mixed breeds in more of its events.  In October of this year, owners of mixed breeds will be able to enroll their pets for an ID number.  In April 2010, they can then “be eligible to compete in mixed breed classes at stand-alone AKC Agility, Obedience and Rally events.”  At present, the only universal AKC performance program is the Canine Good Citizenship, which may be earned by any dog of any ancestry.  Other programs and competitions are available for dogs with a limited registration (PAL/ILP) — puppies who were evaluated as nonbreedable or rescues who look sufficiently like a single breed to convince the evaluator of the photographs and can show veterinary proof of spay or neuter.

I have to admit that I’m disappointed to see that tracking, formerly classed as a Companion Animal event (a classification which seems to have vanished, in fact), is not on the list for the mixed breeds.  However, I suspect I understand why.  A tracking event is a large-scale production!  Each dog entered for a TD level track needs a 400-500 yard, 1/2 to 2 hour old track, with three to five changes of direction and no ditches, roads or woods, to run.  The TDX calls for 800-1000 yards, 3-5 hours, and five to seven changes of direction, and may include the ditches, roads, and woods along with two sets of cross tracks.  Doing a VST well seems to call for the cooperation of a small town, a college campus, or a large manufacturing center.  Quick, where could you host a tracking event?  How many dogs could you cram on there, and at what level?

In my state, there are six obedience events listed for the month of May and no tracking trials — this year.  If I include neighboring states in the search, the next TD test is Nov 1 and has a maximum entry of twelve dogs.  A different club is offering  the VST on the same day three states away.  The next event is Nov 15, in yet a third state, offering five TD runs and two TDX runs.  Each may well have a waiting list already.

Why so popular?  There used to be even fewer tracking events, but the AKC developed the VCD titles: versatile companion dog.  The titles call for work in obedience, agility (standard and jumps) and tracking.  Lots of dogs have the titles in the first two; naturally, their owners want that last one as well.  Demand has gone up; supply has gone up.  Supply appears not to be going up as fast as demand…  At any rate, adding mixed breeds to the demand would make the occupants of the current waiting lists screech.

Alternately, of course, more clubs could sponsor tracking events.  Even if they can only fit a few dogs in, it would help in the noble cause of working our dogs in “instinct outlets” — those things our dogs love doing and which are hardwired into their brains.  Not to mention that these clubs could make a lot of Border Collie owners very happy to finish their Versatile Companion titles!

* Photo is of rescued shepherd eligible for PAL/ILP and Rally-Ready!