Tracking will be on soft disced dirt.

The fields are 20 -25 minutes from the Host Hotel and are strictly off limits except when trialing!! Violators may be subject to disciplinary action.

Supervised and escorted practice tracking will be available, contact Amanda Hoskinson 352.429.3873 or HAINLAND@aol.com.

Handlers must report to the judge with a track-ready dog. The tracking line is to be fastened to the harness if one is used or the dead ring of the collar (fur saver only). However, it is acceptable to have the dog on a (second) leash when reporting in. Both breast and Böttger harnesses are allowed. Dogs must wear a collar, even if a tracking harness is used. Flea and tick collars are to be removed.

The tracking line may be held over the back of the dog or pass between the front or front and back legs. Be sure the harness is around the ribcage of the dog and not beyond the last rib.

When summoned, the handler will report to the judge with the dog in the basic position. The handler will inform the judge whether the dog picks up or indicates the articles. At the judge’s command, the dog is taken slowly and calmly to the starting point and is set onto the track with a “find” command. Any compulsion is to be avoided prior to tracking, at the start and during the entire track. A restart is allowed only once and only within a maximum of 15 paces from the start position. Tracking will be terminated if a dog does not show willingness to track.

Articles may be picked up or indicated. Indication may be made by standing, sitting or lying down. The articles are to be indicated in the direction of the track. Slightly crooked indication is not incorrect. If a dog indicated an article by more than a body length distance after the article, the article is considered to be “not found. Articles, which are indicated or picked up only with heavy handler help (use of lead or commands to indicate or pick up), are also considered as “not found”. If the dog leaves the track by more than a lead length, tracking will be terminated. If the dog pulls from the track, the handler must follow the dog. If the dog is stopped, despite the judges’ instructions to follow the dog, tracking is terminated. With a dog that tracks off lead, the handler must carry a lead or tracking line with him/her and still follow the dog at a distance of 10 meters.

The tracking speed is not an issue as long as the track is worked steadily, uniformly and convincingly and the dog shows a positive tracking attitude. If a dog checks to convince itself of the layout of the track, this is not incorrect as long as the dog does not leave the track. Deductions will be made for aimless wandering, a high nose, urination/defecation, circling at the corners, continuous encouragement, leash-guidance or verbal help on the track or at the articles, faulty pick up/indication of the articles and false indication of an object.

Toys or food are not to be carried when working the track.