AKC’s Herding program offers both tests and trials. The herding test is offered in a non-competitive pass/fail format as an Instinct Test, Herding Test, and Pre-Trial test. All are conducted within a fenced arena and includes the use of livestock such as ducks, sheep, or cattle. During a test, a dog must demonstrate the ability […]

All dogs 9 months of age or older from the following breeds are eligible to participate in Herding Events. Effective January 1, 2011 all dogs 6 months of age or older from the following breeds are eligible to participate in Herding Instinct Tests. AKC Recognized Breeds Australian Cattle Dog Australian Shepherd Bearded Collie Beauceron Belgian […]

By Ken and Bette Nelson The first dog to qualify for the new EE title was a Border Terrier so it may come as no surprise that the first dog to qualify for an EE2 is also a Border Terrier. CH No Autographs Please ME, EE2, AX, AXJ, RN, CGC is our "Tiger". He earned […]

By Karla Deithorn, Executive Field Representative When a terrier or a Dachshund does not progress through the levels of Earthdog tests to the owner's expectations, a common question asked is whether or not you need to train the dog for the tests. There are a wide variety of opinions on this subject and that is […]

LATEST EARTHDOG NEWS Master Earthdog Title Counts for FIT DOG (Mar 2023)   LATEST REGULATION CHANGES New Excellent Title and Novice Class (Jan 2022) Handlers Allowed One Command in SR Test (Dec 2019) Allowing Practice Sessions Before/After Test (Oct 2016) 45 Seconds to Quarry (June 2016)   REGULATION BOOK Regulations for Earthdog Tests for Small Terriers and […]

The roots of the Earthdog program go back to the beginnings of small game hunting. Farmers and hunters used the small terriers and Dachshunds to pursue vermin to its lair and then to follow the game into to the ground. These dogs had to possess not only the physical attributes that would allow them to […]

All dogs six months of age or older from the following breeds are eligible to participate in Earthdog Events. AKC Recognized Breeds American Hairless Terrier (Oct 1, 2018) Australian Terrier Bedlington Terrier Border Terrier Cairn Terrier Cesky Terrier Dachshund Dandie Dinmont Terrier Glen of Imaal Terrier Jagdterrier Japanese Terrier Lakeland Terrier Manchester Terrier Miniature Bull […]

For generations small terriers and Dachshunds were bred as hunting dogs to track game above and below ground; to bark at their quarry in the den and to bolt or draw it for the hunter. Now these wonderful little dogs are very suitable as family pets, however, they sometimes have to be trained not to […]

Is Your Dog a Champion Earthdog? Earthdog 101: Tap Into Your Small Terrier's or Dachshund's Instincts Building Den Instinct + Training = Success Announcing AKC’s First Endurance Earthdog Title Second EE Title

If you have a small terrier or a Dachshund, you’ve undoubtedly already discovered their penchant to dig, stick their face underground, and emerge with something in his mouth, be it a mouse, a squirrel or some other creature. After you stop screaming in fright, your first instinct might be to reprimand him for catching that […]