Does the quarry come to harm?
No. It sits behind a solid grille the dog can't get through, and the rules set strict conditions for the animals' care and rotation.
Hunting dogs
Earthdog
A tunnel buried in the ground, laid out like a maze with corners. At the far end sits an animal behind a grille. The dog has to get there and let you know it's found it, by barking, scratching or whining.
About the discipline
What Earthdog is
Earthdog recreates, safely, the job terriers and dachshunds were bred for. That job is going to ground after quarry.
The course is a buried wooden tunnel with corners and sometimes false branches. At the end there's an animal, usually laboratory rats, fully protected by a solid grille.
The dog works through the tunnel alone, finds the end and signals the animal for a set number of seconds. It has no way of touching it.
How it works in practice
How it works
- a buried tunnel of standard dimensions
- corners and, in the higher classes, false branches
- the quarry behind a solid grille at the end
- the dog works the tunnel alone, without the handler
- signalling by barking, scratching or whining
- a minimum time it has to keep signalling
- a time limit for the whole course
Which dogs it suits
- terriers of every type, and dachshunds
- small dogs that fit the standard tunnel
- dogs with a strong hunting instinct
If a dog is scared of tight spaces or hesitates at the tunnel mouth, never force it.
What you need
- access to a built course at a club
- nothing the handler needs to bring
- a plain collar, taken off before the dog goes in
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Earthdog
Which breeds can take part?
Terriers and dachshunds, the breeds the sport was designed for. There's a practical reason too: the tunnel is a standard size, and it's small.
Does the dog go in alone?
Yes. You stay at the entrance and the dog goes through the tunnel on its own. How independently it works is exactly what's being tested.
How do I know if my dog enjoys it?
You'll see it on the first go. A dog that likes it goes straight in, tail going, and stays focused all the way to the end. One that stops at the mouth, turns back or comes out quickly isn't keen, and if you press it you can put it off tight spaces for good. Never push a dog in, and never lure it in with food.
The rule figures on this page come from AKC - Regulations for Earthdog Tests for Small Terriers and Dachshunds. Rules change and federations differ - always check the rulebook of the competition you are entering.
From the same category
Related sports
Working Tests for Retrievers
Retriever trials that use dummies in place of live game.
Blood Tracking
The dog follows a simulated blood trail, hours old, right to the end.
Field Trials
Trials in open country where judges watch how hunting dogs search.
Retrieving Trials
Trials where the dog brings back game or dummies, cleanly and on command.
We do not run Earthdog
This page is informational. We work in mantrailing, search and rescue and preparation for the TSAC and BH exams - but if you want an honest opinion on what would suit your dog, write to us anytime.