Tracking

Proposed Tracking Recommendations

Chapter 1 – General Regulations

Section 1. Tracking, Tracking Dog Excellent, and Variable Surface Tracking Tests. A club that meets AKC® requirements may apply to hold a tracking test. A club may designate a test as a combined tracking test if more than one test, TD, TDX, or VST is offered. A combined tracking test may occur over one (1) or more consecutive days. The club must identify the test as a combined tracking test on the application to the AKC and in the Premium List. Tracking tests may not be held at the same site within three (3) days from test day to test day with the following exception: A club may hold a test, or a combined tracking test lasting two (2) consecutive days at the same site, as long as the maximum track limit allowed for any judge in one day is not exceeded, the tracks meet spacing requirements for each of the respective test levels and those portions of the site used for tracks plotted for the first day are not reused on the second day.
A club will not be approved to hold a tracking test on the same day as its show or obedience trial. A National Specialty Breed Club, however, may be approved to hold a tracking test on the same day or days as other events at their National Specialty shows.
If a tracking test is to be held within seven (7) days after a club’s show or obedience trial, it may be announced in the premium list for the show or trial. The tracking test entries may be included in the show or obedience trial catalog; otherwise, a separate premium list must be prepared for licensed or member club tracking tests. In either case, the premium list will include directions to the test site and the draw time for the running order of tracks.
Whenever a tracking test is announced in the premium list of a licensed or member show or obedience trial, the club may name someone to receive the tracking test entries other than the person designated to receive the show or obedience trial entries. If a tracking test is announced in a show or trial premium list, the show or trial closing date will apply to tracking entries; otherwise, the closing date for tracking test entries will be at least ten (10) days prior to the tracking test.
At the tracking test, a club must provide catalogs or a printed listing of each entered dog and each alternate. The catalog or listing must contain all the identifying information that normally appears in a dog show catalog. The identifying information must include the name of the certifying judge and the date of certification for every dog requiring certification prior to entry in a licensed or member tracking test.
The club will retain the entries, and certifications, for six (6) months following the test.
The presence of a veterinarian will not be required at a tracking test.
A club may be approved to hold an unlimited number of tracking tests, provided it has the land and personnel available.
The test secretary’s phone number or email address must be published in the premium list.

Section 9. Eligibility. No dog may be entered more than once at any one tracking test. At a combined tracking test TD, TDX, or VST, a dog may be entered in more than one test under the following conditions provided preference in the draw is given to untitled dogs:
1. at a combined tracking test where each test is held on a separate day in Alaska, Hawaii, or any US territory outside the continental US
2. at a combined tracking test where each test is held on a separate day in conjunction with a National Specialty

Section 13. Drawing for Entries and Alternates List. Entries for a tracking test will be accepted until the official closing date and time, even if the advertised test limit has been reached. A random drawing of all entries, to determine which dogs will participate in the test, will be held within 48 hours after the closing date and time. The drawing will be held in a public place and open to all interested persons. The test secretary will draw entries on the date, hour, and location specified in the premium list and ensure the draw is conducted in a random and impartial manner. If the advertised limit is not reached, a drawing is optional. The results of the draw will be made available to the people present at the draw.
The draw for tracks in each test TD, TDX, VST, shall be conducted with untitled dogs (see glossary) until the available tracks in each test has been filled with untitled dogs. When the advertised limit of entries has been drawn, all remaining entries will be drawn for positions on the alternates list with untitled dogs being drawn first followed by titled dog entries. Untitled dogs will have priority for the draw in all tests.
Following the draw, the test secretary will attempt to contact all entrants and advise them of the outcome within 48 hours.
A dog drawn into the test is required to be at the test site only on the day it is scheduled to run as identified in the Judging Program
Alternates will be given the option to accept or decline being placed on the alternates list. Those who accept will be placed on the alternates list in the order in which they were drawn. Those who opt to decline will have their entry fees and certification returned. Entrants and alternates who do not run in a test but are replaced by alternates who run in the test will have full entry fees and certifications returned. Any other conditions under which the entry fees are returned to entrants or alternates will be so stated in the premium list.
The complete list of alternates, whether they accepted or declined, will be included with the Test Report sent to the AKC following the test.

Section 13a Combined Tests Exchange Policy. If it is a combined test, it must be stated as such in the premium list. The exchange policy will be in effect with the available tracks being filled first with untitled dogs followed by titled dogs. If the limit for entries is not reached in one test at a combined TD, TDX, VST test and the limit for entries is exceeded in the other test, the number of tracks may be exchanged, up to the day of plotting up to a maximum of twelve (12) TDs, (6) TDXs or eight (8) VSTs, not to exceed the limits set in Section 15 of this chapter, provided it is published in the premium list.

Section 13b Specialty Club Option. Specialty clubs have the option of opening their tracking tests to all breeds. Specialty clubs may choose either (1) only their own breed, or (2) through the use of a lottery draw, may allow other breeds to enter their specialty using the following procedure:
Draw (1) Specialty breed without a title;
Draw (2) Specialty breed with a title;
Draw (3) Other breeds without a title;
Draw (4) Other breeds with a title.

Section 13c Combined TDX/VST in Alaska, Hawaii and Outside Continental US or National Specialties. When the draw is associated with a combined TDX/VST test, where the exception for eligibility according to Chapter 1, Section 9 allows the same untitled dog to be entered in both the TDX and VST, the draw will be conducted to allow as many untitled dogs as possible at least one slot in a combined test. The exception requires that preference be given to untitled dogs that have not already been given a slot in the preceding test.

Section 13d Test Worker Option. A club may set aside tracks for test workers from previous tests, as defined and identified by the test giving club. This information and the number of tracks to be set aside must be published in the premium list. Entries from workers are to be drawn first, up to the limits shown in the table below. Once the tracks set aside for workers are filled, any remaining test worker entries will be added to the non-worker entries for the draw of the remaining tracks. There will be no separate alternate list for test workers only. A test worker may not benefit from a track set aside at a test in which they are working. Deviations from the table are not permitted for any test, combined test or multiple tests.

Section 13e Alternate List for Two-Day Test. The alternate list for tests that last for two (2) consecutive days, at the same site will apply to both days. Any test slot that becomes available prior to the first day of the test, for either day of the test, will be filled starting from the first entry on the alternate list. Any alternate that declines an offered slot, prior to test day, is considered to be withdrawn from the alternate list. If a slot does not become available until test day, it is filled starting from the first entry on the alternate list that has not previously declined a slot and is present at the test site.

Section 14. Judging Program. The test-giving club will prepare a program containing all entry numbers in the order in which they were drawn or in the order received when the total entry falls short of the advertised limits. The program will also include the scheduled time and location of the drawing for the running order of tracks, as well as directions to the location of the drawing. In the event of a two (2) day test, the day on which each entry number is to run will be included in the judging program. The judging program will provide a cell phone number of a committee member present at the test site the day(s) of the test. The club will mail a copy of the program to the owner of each entered dog, to each judge, and to the AKC no less than seven (7) days prior to the test. Prior to the draw for test day running order, the judges will be provided with the catalog number, breed, sex, and AKC number for each dog entered. The program will be printed in the catalog.

Section 16. Club Responsibilities. The Event Committee and/or the officials of the club holding the tracking test are responsible for providing personnel, equipment, and fields suitable for tracks that meet the requirements of these Regulations. The judges must check the equipment and fields provided for use before beginning to plot the tracks and must report to the AKC after the test any undesirable conditions or deficiencies not corrected promptly by the club.
If requested by one or both judges, the club must provide ground maps, roughly to scale, of the tracking area showing the major features of terrain and boundaries about sixty (60) days prior to the tracking test.

Chapter 2 – Regulations for Performance and Judging

Section 4. Plotting. All TD and TDX tracks will be started in cover of a type predominant in the area of the field that contains the first leg and turn of the track.
Both judges must be present on the day of plotting, and both judges must walk every track. At a TD test, only regular status judges may divide the plotting responsibilities. Each judge must then walk the other judge’s tracks. If extenuating circumstances prevent either judge from walking every track at a TD test, the circumstances must be fully explained in a report submitted with the judges’ books. Plotting of the tracks by any person other than a judge is prohibited.
On the day the tracks are plotted, only the judges, AKC officials, judge applicants, apprentices with prior approval of the judges, and those required for the laying of the tracks will be allowed on the tracking field. All other persons connected with the test, such as exhibitors and owners or co-owners of an entered dog, must not be on the tracking field the day tracks are plotted. For each dog entered, a separate track will be plotted by one or both judges for a TD test and by both judges for TDX and VST tests one day prior to the test or earlier.

Section 5. Alternate Track. Judges are encouraged to plot an alternate track in case a retest of one of the dogs is required or in case one of the tracks becomes invalidated. The alternate track should be fully equivalent to any other track so that it can be used promptly, saving time and permitting the test to proceed in an orderly fashion without interruption. The chart showing the plot of the alternate track should appear in the judges’ books.
The priority for use of the alternate track is to replace a fouled track. When an unused alternate track is available, it may be used as a titling track, if agreed upon by both judges. The maximum number of tracks allowed by either judge to be judged in one day may not be exceeded. For an unused alternate track to be used as a titling track, it must be plotted on the same day as all other tracks.

Section 6. Articles. Judges will approve all articles well in advance of the time the track is laid so that any article that is not acceptable can be replaced. The article(s) will have been in the tracklayer’s possession for sufficient time to ensure that they are impregnated with the tracklayer’s scent. All articles will be inconspicuous in color in comparison to the surrounding terrain. For article specifications refer to Chapter 3, Section 5 for TD; Chapter 4, Section 6 for TDX; and Chapter 5, Section 5 for VST.
The tracklayer will drop articles on the track. After being dropped, an article should not be visible from a distance of more than 20 feet and will not be covered with any substance to conceal it. Each tracklayer must prepare an extra start article and have it readily available in the event the start article is fouled or can not be located.

Section 9. Drawing for Tracks. To determine the order of running for each participant, the test secretary, with one or both of the judges present, will assemble the participants just prior to starting time for a drawing by lot of the assigned catalog numbers. Once the numbers have been drawn, they may not be exchanged, except under unusual circumstances and only with the judges’ approval. Any such exchanges must be fully reported in the judges’ books.
Any dog absent from the site at the scheduled time of the drawing will be marked “Absent” by the judges, if an alternate is present to draw. Alternates who are present will be selected to draw by the order on the alternates list. If no alternate is present, the dog may be marked absent by the judges at the scheduled time of drawing or the judges may designate the test secretary to draw for the absent dog(s). If the test secretary has drawn for the absent dog, the dog will be marked absent if it is not present in time for the running of its track. In the event of a two (2) day test, the draw will be split between the two (2) days with entries scheduled to run on the first day being drawn on the first day and the entries scheduled for the second day being drawn on the second day.
If a dog is withdrawn or excused after the draw but before the dog starts the track, the next alternate present will run the track.
People cannot act as tracklayers for dogs if, within the past 30 days, they have boarded, laid a track for, or regularly trained the dogs whose tracks they are to lay. The tracklayer must not be a person with whom the dog has resided or a member of the household or a member of the immediate family of the dog’s handler. The judges will determine the order in which the tracks are run and the number of each track.
The judges may modify the draw to meet the requirements of the tracklayer.

Section 10. Track Laying. Tracklayers must be present on the day of plotting and must walk their tracks. At least one cross-tracklayer will be present the day of plotting TDX tracks. When a tracklayer is not present, an explanation must be made in the test secretary’s report. Tracklayers will wear their own footwear, which may be of any material.
It is the judge’s responsibility to instruct the tracklayer so that each track will be properly laid. The judges will ensure that the tracklayer carries an outline of the track showing all pertinent feature information. One or both of the judges should make every effort, within the limitations of the judging schedule and terrain, to observe the tracklayer during the laying of the track.
The judges will instruct the tracklayer to walk in a natural manner. There should be no scuffing of the feet over any portion of the track, including the area at the starting flag or between flags. The tracklayer will go to the first flag, pause, and then proceed in walking the track. Circling the flag and scuffing feet around the flag is prohibited.
The tracklayer will pick up all but the first two flags in a TD test or all but the first flag and the cross-track flags in a TDX test. No other flags, except for the starting flag, may be used in a VST test.
After dropping the last article, the tracklayer will continue in a straight line for at least 30 yards as a continuation of the last leg of the track. The tracklayer should then proceed out of the field in the direction previously explained by the judges. In TD and TDX tests, no tracklayer may return within 50 yards of any unused part of a track after completing the track.
While it is not encouraged, if circumstances at a combined test require, a person entered in one test may lay tracks in another.

Section 13. Distractions on the Track. The judges are responsible for seeing that spectators remain farther than 50 yards from the starting flag until after the dog, handler, and judges have moved out of the starting area. The judges may authorize a member of the test committee to move spectators onto the area of the used track to observe the tracking field, so long as the spectators do not:
1. Interfere with the dog’s work;
2. Indicate the location or direction of the unused portion of the track;
3. Contaminate unused tracks.
Should an animal, pedestrian, or vehicle appear or move across the track prior to running the track and/or while the dog and handler are working the track, the dog and handler will continue to work the track. Incidents such as these will be considered a normal occurrence for tracking tests. The judges will decide whether to invalidate the track.

Section 23. Passing Performance. It is the judges’ responsibility to determine whether the nature and degree of the handler’s and dog’s work met minimum requirements to earn a tracking title. The dog must follow the track and either clearly indicate or retrieve the last article in a TD test or clearly indicate or retrieve the second, third, and fourth articles in a TDX or VST test. The decision as to whether the dog satisfactorily indicated or retrieved an article is the responsibility of the judges. In order for the dog to pass a TD test, the last article must be presented to the judges when the track is completed. In a TDX or VST test, the second, third, and fourth articles must be presented to the judges when the track is completed.
Judges must never pass a dog that has not met the minimum requirements of following the test track unaided and finding the article(s). If the dog is not considered to be tracking by the judges, it will not be passed, even if it finds the article or articles.
If, in the judges’ opinion, the dog actively searched the area where an article was dropped but did not find the article, and the judges cannot find the article, the dog will be given credit for finding the article. The foregoing only applies to TD and TDX tests. For VST see Chapter 5, Section 5.
In the event that the dog does not actively search the area and the judges cannot find the article, the dog will be tested on another track that meets the requirements of these Regulations.

Chapter 3 – Tracking Dog Test (TD)

Section 3. Tracking Dog Title. The AKC will issue a Tracking Dog certificate and will permit use of the letters TD after the name of each dog certified by two judges to have passed at a licensed or member club TD test. For dogs that pass multiple TD tests the TD title initials will be followed by a numeric designation indicating the number of times the dog has earned the TD title.
As soon as a dog has been certified by the judges as passing a licensed or member TD test, it may be entered in any licensed or member TDX or VST test for which the entries have not closed.

Section 5. Article for a Tracking Dog Test. Chapter 2, Section 6, sets forth the criteria for articles. The start article must be made of cloth and must be the approximate size of a glove or wallet. In a TD test, the last article will be a glove or a wallet.

Chapter 4 – Tracking Dog Excellent Test (TDX)

Section 2. Tracking Dog Excellent Title. The AKC will issue a Tracking Dog Excellent certificate and will permit the use of the letters TDX after the name of each dog that has been certified by two judges to have passed at a licensed or member club TDX test. For dogs that pass multiple TDX tests the TDX title initials will be followed by a numeric designation indicating the number of times the dog has earned the TDX title.

Section 4. Cross-Tracks. Upon instruction from the judges, two (2) cross-tracklayers will lay the plotted cross-tracks at least 1 hour and 15 minutes, but not later than 1 hour and 45 minutes, after the tracklayer has started laying the actual test track.
The cross-tracklayers will walk side-by-side, about four (4) feet apart and will follow each of the two (2) cross-tracks that were staked out with flags a day or more earlier, collecting all the cross-track flags along the way.
The cross-track flags or markers will be distinctly different from the flags or markers used on the actual test track.
The following restrictions and minimum requirements apply to all cross-tracks:
1. The track must be crossed at two (2) widely separated places, never on the same leg or on the first leg.
2. The cross-tracks will be located in full view of the judges when following the track.
3. The actual track should be crossed at an approximate 90-degree angle.
4. The cross-tracks will be at least 30 yards from an article or an obstacle and at least 50 yards from a turn.
5. The path of the cross-tracks will be plotted to permit the dog to follow the cross-track for at least 30 yards without the interference of a physical barrier or a scenting distraction.
6. The path of the cross-tracks must be at least 75 yards from the start of the track and must be at least 50 yards from any other part of the track, except when they cross the track.
7. The cross-tracklayers will proceed 50 yards in a straight line before the first crossing of the track and will proceed 50 yards straight ahead after the last crossing of the track.
8. The cross-track may not be within 50 yards of any other track.
In a TDX test, a dog that follows a cross-track for more than 50 yards will be failed.

Chapter 5 – Variable Surface Tracking Test (VST)
The Variable Surface Tracking Test is a test of credibility, verifying the dog’s ability to recognize and follow human scent while adapting to changing scenting conditions. The test is to be as practical as possible while demonstrating the dog’s willingness and ability to follow a specific scent given to the dog at the start of the test. The training and conditioning of the dog must be designed to develop the inner drive, motivation, and determination necessary for the dog to work with intensity and perseverance. The dog must show ability to work on a non-vegetated surface.
Judges are encouraged to permit spectators to follow along on the track, at a distance that does not interfere with the working of the dog. A “guide” may be appointed to control the gallery.

Section 2. Variable Surface Tracking Test Title. The AKC will issue a Variable Surface Tracking Dog certificate and will permit use of the letters VST after the name of each dog that has been certified by both judges to have passed at a licensed or member club VST test. For dogs that pass multiple VST tests the VST title initials will be followed by a numeric designation indicating the number of times the dog has earned the VST title.

Section 3. Track Requirements. The following are the restrictions and minimum requirements for a variable surface track:
1. The track will be at least 600 yards and not more than 800 yards in length.
2. The track will have a minimum of three (3) different surfaces, which will include vegetation and two (2) areas devoid of vegetation, such as concrete, asphalt, gravel, sand, hard pan, or mulch. The areas devoid of vegetation will comprise at least one-third (1/3) but not more than two-thirds (2/3) of the total length of the track.
3. The length of each of the legs of the track will be at least thirty (30) yards. Parallel legs will not be within fifty (50) yards of each other unless a contiguous building or structure physically blocks access between the parallel legs.
4. The track will be plotted using different surfaces and scenting conditions as afforded by the terrain. There will be no physical obstacles or obstructions such as those used on a TDX track. The level of physical difficulty should be such that it will permit all AKC breeds and handlers of any age to participate. Ordinary stair steps are not considered to be an obstacle, but a wall or fence that must be climbed or scaled is an obstruction that must be avoided.
5. The scent on the track will be not less than three (3) hours or more than five (5) hours old.
6. Turns will be on various surfaces as dictated by the terrain. There will be at least four (4) and not more than eight (8) turns on a track. Deviations in a confined stairway or corridor will not count as one of the required turns. Both right and left 90-degree turns will be used. At least three (3) of the turns must be 90-degree turns, and there should be more than three (3) such turns. At least one (1) moment of truth 90-degree turn will be in an area devoid of vegetation and will be plotted to allow at least thirty (30) yards before crossing or returning to a vegetated surface. Acute angle turns should be avoided. Articles will not be placed less than thirty (30) yards before or after this turn. Articles placed after this turn should not be clearly visible from the turn. Tracks may be laid along the sides of buildings and fences, through buildings with two or more openings or open-sided structures, such as breezeways, shelters, or roofed parking garages. However, tracks may not enter a building with closed doors and sides.
7. No part of the track will be within fifty (50) yards of any other track. No part of the track may be within thirty (30) yards of any other part of the same track.
8. All tracks will be laid utilizing buildings and the diverse scenting conditions created by being in close proximity to such buildings. Tracks will also utilize any and/all other structures such as fences, breezeways, ramps, stairs, bridges, shelters, roofed parking garages, courtyards, and buildings with two or more openings and/or open buildings. The intent of Variable Surface Tracking stresses that dogs will be able to handle the diffusion of scent created by these structures. Tracks will be as equal in complexity as possible in this regard. Tracks may not enter a building with closed doors and sides.

Section 4. Articles for Variable Surface Tracking Test. Chapter 2, Section 6, sets forth the criteria for articles. The VST test articles will consist of four (4) dissimilar, common, everyday items that can be easily carried by the tracklayer and safely picked up by the dog. Each article will not be smaller than 2” x 4” or larger than 5” x 5” and will weigh no more than 8 ounces and may be weighted in place when wind conditions warrant. There will be one leather, one plastic (rigid or semi-rigid), one metal, and one fabric article, which will be handled by the tracklayer and will be dropped on the track by the tracklayer at the points indicated on the judges’ charts. The first article will be fabric or leather. The last article will be clearly and temporarily marked with the number “4.”
The first article will be dropped at the starting flag and will be clearly visible to the handler. The next two (2) articles will be dropped at wide intervals directly on the track at the places designated by the judges and so marked on the chart. One article must be dropped in one of the areas devoid of vegetation. The fourth article will be dropped at the end of the track.
The articles must be approved by the judges prior to the laying of the track. The second, third, and fourth articles must be presented to the judges by the handler following the completion of the track.
No article will be dropped less than twenty (20) yards from a turn except as indicated in Section 4, #6.
The judges will mark a dog “Passed” if an article is not found and cannot be located by the judges or the tracklayer, provided that the dog worked continuously and intently along the actual track. Should a dog find additional articles along the track, the dog will not to be failed and will be permitted to continue.

Section 5. Start.

Section 6. General Requirements.
1. Plotting an alternate track is not required.
2. Both judges must walk every track and plot all tracks together.
3. A previously used track may not be run forward or backward within three (3) days of use.
4. The same tracklayer may not be used on contiguous tracks. A tracklayer may cross an adjacent track in order to exit the field on test day, provided the track being crossed was not laid by the tracklayer or a member of the tracklayer’s household.
5. For the safety of the dog and handler, judges must be aware of surface temperature in hot weather, especially on asphalt and concrete. Tracks must not be run on surfaces where the judges and/or Event Committee have knowledge of recent treatment with chemicals that could cause injury to the dog or handler. If conditions are unsafe for the dog or handler, or in the event of an unforeseen emergency, the test secretary and the Event Committee, upon the recommendation of the judges, may extend the duration of a Variable Surface Tracking test by one day or more within a fifteen (15)-day period after the original date, provided that the change of date is satisfactory to the majority of the handlers of the entered dogs. If a satisfactory date cannot be agreed upon, the test will be canceled.
6. A Variable Surface Tracking site totally or partially covered in snow would not meet the criteria of three (3) different surfaces including vegetated and non-vegetated surfaces. Snow-covered portions of a site may seriously affect the proper utilization of the site as a whole.
7. All other general tracking regulations apply to the Variable Surface Tracking test.

Section 7. Judges’ Books.

Chapter 6. Champion Tracker Title Certificate. The AKC will issue a Champion Tracker certificate and will permit the use of the letters CT preceding the name of each dog that has earned the TDX and VST tracking titles.

Tracking regulations
tracking test and judges guidelines

Section 2. Assignment Limitation. Provisional Tracking Dog or Tracking Dog Excellent judges are required to judge with at least three (3) different approved regular status judges, only one of which may be a spouse. Provisional Variable Surface Tracking judges are required to judge their provisional assignments with at least three (3) different approved regular status Variable Surface Tracking judges, none of whom may be a member of the provisional judge’s family or immediate households.

Section 14. Judges’ Qualifications. Tracking judges must be familiar with the various conditions that exist when a dog is required to work a scent trail. Scent conditions, weather, terrain, ground cover, wind direction, and age of scent must be considered. A thorough knowledge of these factors is necessary. In addition, the TDX judge must be experienced in advance tracking and familiar with how types of obstacles and cross-tracks affect a dog’s work.
A VST judge should be familiar with scenting conditions in an area consisting of more than just vegetation. Buildings, other structures, and a variety of surfaces can affect the scent.
TDX judges, Provisional TDX judges, and TD judges who have earned a VST title will be eligible to apply to judge VST. Prospective judges are required to attend an AKC Tracking Seminar, presented by AKC staff, within a 3-year period of applying and must apprentice judge under two (2) judges. The apprentice assignments must be at two (2) different tests and the judge may not be a member of the apprentice’s household or immediate family.

Section 15. Sample Charts

Tracking Regulations
Glossary of Terms

Moment-of-Truth – a non-fringeable, non-vegetated surface turn

Non-fringeable– a turn that is not influenced by vegetation

Rescent – Allowing the dog to take scent from the start article or other articles found on the track in such a way that it does not indicate the direction of the track or indicates a point on the ground where the dog should begin to search.

Restart – A behavior by the exhibitor that would indicate to the dog that he should begin searching a specific area or track in a given direction.