The World of Dog Trials

Dog trials are a thrilling spectator sport, but have you ever wondered what they're all about? The sport involves dogs performing tasks such as agility, obedience, and herding.

The first dog trials were held in the 19th century, with the first official trial taking place in England in 1873. This marked the beginning of a long history of dog trials.

Agility trials are a popular type of dog trial, where dogs navigate an obstacle course at high speeds. In a typical agility course, dogs will encounter tunnels, jumps, and weave poles.

For your interest: Agility Class Dogs

The history of dog trials dates back to 1901 in Germany, where the first Schutzhund trial was held to emphasize the correct working temperament in German Shepherd Dogs.

This trial was a response to the breeders' efforts to promote German Shepherd Dogs as police and military dogs, which raised concerns about careless breeding and undesirable traits.

The Verein fur Deutsche Schaferhunde, the parent club, developed the Schutzhund test to address these concerns and ensure sound working temperament in the breed.

The Schutzhund test was later adopted by other countries and working dog organizations, and international rules were established by the Verein fur Deutsche Hundesport, the organization that administers the sport today.

The IPO titles, which are awarded to dogs that pass the Schutzhund test, consist of three phases that assess the dog's working temperament.

In a dog trial, the tracking phase is a crucial test of a dog's trainability, scenting ability, and mental and physical endurance. During this phase, the dog must follow a 10-meter leash as its handler follows the track laid by a stranger, and indicate the location of small objects left on the track.

The track includes a number of turns and small man-made objects, and the dog must scent the track and lie down with the objects between its front paws. This phase is a great way to assess a dog's ability to focus and follow a scent trail.

Related reading: Service Dog Vest for Small Dogs

In contrast, the obedience phase is designed to test a dog's temperament, structural efficiency, and willingness to serve its owner. This phase includes heeling exercises, field exercises, and distractions to see how well the dog responds to its handler's commands. The dog must also demonstrate its ability to retrieve objects, run in a straight direction, and stay in a lying down position despite distractions.

Here are the three phases of a dog trial:

Phase 1: Tracking is a crucial part of the trial phases, where dogs are tested on their ability to scent and indicate the location of objects.

The track is laid by a person walking normally on a natural surface such as dirt or grass, and for IPO 1 and FRr 1 titles, the handler lays the track. For IPO 2 or 3, FPr 2 or 3 and higher level tracking titles, a stranger lays the track.

Worth a look: Dog Names for 2 Dogs

The track includes a number of turns and small, man-made objects left by the person on the track itself, and it's 10 meters long. The handler follows the dog at the end of a 10 meter leash, which is expected to scent the track and indicate the location of the objects.

The dog indicates the location of the objects by lying down with it between its front paws. This phase is intended to test the dog's trainability, ability to scent, as well as its mental and physical endurance.

In the obedience phase, dogs are tested on their heeling exercises, some of which take place in close proximity to a group of people.

These exercises aim to assess the dog's temperament and ability to remain calm in the presence of others.

During the heeling, a gun shot test is conducted to ensure the dog doesn't react to loud noises.

The dog is also required to perform a series of field exercises, including sitting, lying down, and standing while the handler moves around.

The handler then recalls the dog to them, testing their recall ability.

The dog must also retrieve dumbbells of various weights on a flat surface, over a one-meter hurdle, and over a six-foot slanted wall.

In addition, the dog is asked to run in a straight direction from their handler on command and lie down on a second command.

The dog's ability to stay in a lying down position away from their handler, despite distractions, is also tested.

This exercise takes place at the other end of the obedience field, while another dog completes the above exercises.

Consider reading: Field Trial Dog Food Recall

The protection phase of a trial is a critical test of a dog's courage, physical strength, and agility. The handler's control of the dog is essential in this phase.

The protection phase includes exercises such as searching for hiding places and finding a hidden person, also known as a decoy. The decoy is transported to the judge with the handler and dog walking behind and later at the decoy's right side.

A key aspect of the protection phase is the dog's ability to pursue the decoy when an escape is attempted and to hold the grip firmly. The decoy is expected to attempt to attack the handler, and the dog must stop the attack with a firm grip and no hesitation.

The final test of courage occurs when the decoy is asked to come out of a hiding place by the dog's handler from the opposite end of the trial field. The decoy is threatening the dog with a stick and charging at the handler.

The protection tests are intended to ensure that the dog possesses the proper temperament for breeding. All grips during the protection phase are expected to be firmly placed on the padded sleeve and stopped on command and/or when the decoy discontinues the fight.

See what others are reading: Alternative Food for Dogs

Sheep trials, like dog trials, test a dog's ability to herd livestock. Sheep are often used in these trials due to their relatively small size and manageable temperament.

One famous example of a sheep trial is the one held at the National Sheepdog Trials in the UK. Maggie, a Border Collie, won the trial in 1990 with a remarkable score of 99 out of 100.

Maggie's achievement is all the more impressive given the challenging course she faced. The trial involved guiding a flock of sheep through a complex series of gates and obstacles.

Maggie's handler, a seasoned sheep farmer, credited her dog's intelligence and focus for their success. He noted that Maggie's ability to read the sheep's behavior was key to their winning score.

See what others are reading: Sheepdog Trials 2023

To find the information you need for a dog trial, you can search for events on the AKC website. You can search all AKC clubs or find an event specifically.

If you're looking for resources to help you prepare for a trial, the AKC has a Title Application Portal where you can apply for a title. They also have downloadable forms, rules and regulations, and an online event management system.

For judges, the AKC has a Judges Directory and a Judging Resource Center with education resources available through the AKC Canine College.

The trial schedule is a crucial part of the trial process. It outlines the sequence of events and the timeline for the trial.

The trial typically starts with a pre-trial conference, which is usually scheduled within 30 to 60 days of the trial date. This meeting helps the parties and the judge to discuss the trial schedule and any outstanding issues.

The trial itself can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on the complexity of the case and the number of witnesses. In general, the trial is divided into three phases: the prosecution's case, the defense's case, and the rebuttal phase.

Each phase is allocated a specific amount of time, usually 30 minutes to an hour, to present their evidence and arguments. The judge will also allocate time for the parties to make opening statements and closing arguments.

The trial schedule is usually set by the judge, who takes into account the availability of the parties, witnesses, and court personnel. The schedule is also subject to change if new evidence comes to light or if there are any delays in the trial.

To get started in dog sports, you should first learn about the different types of sports available. Intro to Dog Sports is a great place to start, as it provides an overview of the various dog sports and their requirements.

You'll also want to familiarize yourself with canine partners and the enrollment process for mixed breed dogs. Canine Partners / Enroll Mixed Breed is a great resource for this information.

Before you begin, it's essential to understand the different titles and abbreviations used in dog sports. Titles & Abbreviations is a valuable resource that explains these terms.

If you're unsure which sport is best suited for you and your dog, Which Sport Should You Do With Your Dog? is a helpful section that can guide you in making a decision.

To get started with dog training, you can refer to Get Started in Dog Training, which provides a step-by-step guide to training your dog for various sports.

See what others are reading: How to Stop Resource Guarding with Other Dogs

If you prefer virtual dog sports and events, Virtual Dog Sports & Events is a great option to explore.

Here's a brief summary of the dog sports you can participate in: