Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where can I get the details on AKC tracking?

2. Where can I get specifics about INTC Tests, sites, dates, fees & entry forms?

3. What are the basic features of a TD test?

4. What is the minimum age of my dog to enter a TD test?

5. What is required besides the Entry Form and fees for a TD test?

6. What are the basic features of a TDX test?

7. What is required besides the Entry Form and fees for the TDX test?

8. What are the basic features of a VST test?

9. What is required besides the Entry Form and fees for a VST test?

10. How many passing tracks are required for either a TD, TDX or VST title?

11. What is a Championship Tracking title?

12. How can I order one of your club's T-Shirts?

1. Where Can I get the details of AKC Tracking? Download or order a copy of the AKC Tracking Regulations so you will know what is required to pass the TD/TDX/VST tests. To download, click this link or you may order from the online Store at http://akcorg/store/ (click on Rules, Regulations & Resources, select Companion Events, and then select the Tracking Regulations booklet from the set of 4 booklets). You may call AKC Customer Service at (919) 233-9767. Even if you think you are only interested in the TD test, reading first about all the tests prevents you from having to retrain mistakes later. (back to top)

2: Where can I get specifics about INTC Tests, sites, dates, fees & entry forms? Click on "Premium & Entry" tab on this site and you can download the detailed Premium List, Entry forms & Map to the test site. (back to top)

3: What are the basic features of a TD test? The fundamental features of a TD test are the dog's ability to follow a track laid by a person (tracklayer) under a variety of conditions on moderate terrain and to find an article dropped by that person at the end of the track. The track length is 440 to 500 yards with 3 to 5 turns. The scent on the track from the tracklayer's footsteps may be aged from 30 minutes minimum to 2 hours maximum. Read AKC Tracking Regulations Chapter 3, Tracking Dog Test for detailed specifics. (back to top)

4: What is the minimum age of my dog to enter a TD test? 6 months. (back to top)

5: What is required besides the Entry Form and fees for a TD test? A Certification statement must be included for any dog that does not have a TD title. Once you have trained your dog & are ready to enter a TD test, then you will need to find a tracking judge for a certification track. This track is similar in complexity to a TD test. If you pass the certification test, the judge will issue a written Certification which states that our dog has passed the certification test. You will mail the Certification statement with the entry fees and entry form. Judges may charge a fee for a certification test. Read Chapter 3, Section 2 of Tracking Regulations for more details. (back to top)

6: What are the basic features of a TDX test? The fundamental features of a TDX test is to show unquestionably that the dog has the ability to discriminate scent & possesses the stamina, perserverance, and courage to do so under a wide variety of conditions. The dog should find all the articles dropped on the track by the tracklayer. Track length is 800 to 1000 yards, 5 to 7 turns, and the scent on the track from the tracklayer's footsteps may be aged from 3 hours minimum to 5 hours maximum. The dog should ignore cross tracks from non-tracklayers and navigate the tracklayer's scent through obstacles such as woods, roads, gullies, fences, etc. Read AKC Tracking Regulations Chapter 4, Tracking Dog Excellent Test for detailed specifics. (back to top)

7: What is required besides the Entry Form and fees for the TDX test? The dog must have a TD title. (back to top)

8: What are the basic features of a VST test? The fundamental features of a VST test verify the dog's ability to recognize & follow human scent while adapting to changing scent conditions. The dog should find all the articles dropped on the track by the tracklayer. VST tracking is essentially urban tracking where the dog must differentiate the tracklayer's scent from public foot traffic, cars, and non-vegetated surfaces like parking lots, etc. The dog must show the ability to work on a non-vegetated surface. Track length is 600 to 800 yards with 4 to 8 turns (at least one of which must be in an area devoid of vegetation) and the scent may be aged from 3 hours minimum to 5 hours maximum. The track must have 3 different surfaces which include vegetation such as grass and 2 areas of non-vegetation such as concrete, gravel, sand, asphalt, mulch, etc. Dogs must navigate through scenting conditions of close proximity to buildings, ramps, stairs, parking garages, etc. Read AKC Tracking Regulations Chapter 5, Variable Surface Tracking Test for detailed specifics. (back to top)

9. What is required besides the Entry Form & fees for the VST test? The dog must have a TD or TDX title. (back to top)

10. How many passing tracks are required for either a TD, TDX or VST title? The dog is required to pass one time/one track to earn the title. Tracking is noncompetitive which means either pass or fail. (back to top)

11: What is a Champion Tracking Title? AKC will issue a Champion Tracker title certificate & permit the use of letters CT preceding the name of each dog that has earned all 3 tracking titles: TD, TDX and VST. (back to top)

12. How can I order one of your club's tracking T-Shirts? Click on Fundraisers button and then download a T-Shirt Order Form. Mail the form & fees to the name listed on the form. (back to top)