What is the DVG Mantrailing exam?
A pure sport exam, run by the German federation DVG through its member clubs. The regulations state explicitly that it does not establish or aim at operational search-and-rescue fitness.
International certification
DVG Mantrailing: the German sport-exam regulations
DVG (Deutscher Verband der Gebrauchshundsportvereine e.V.) is a German dog-sport federation whose affiliated clubs run a mantrailing exam on 3 levels (MT-I, MT-II, MT-III). The regulations state explicitly that this is a pure sport exam - it does not establish or aim at operational search-and-rescue fitness.
What is the DVG Mantrailing exam?
The regulations state explicitly: "Diese Mantrailingprüfung ist eine reine Sporthundprüfung, eine Einsatzfähigkeit wird nicht festgestellt und ist auch nicht gewollt" - it is a strictly sporting trial; real-world operational (search-and-rescue) fitness is neither assessed nor intended.
The exam is run by DVG member clubs ("wird vom Mitgliedsverein veranstaltet"), as an internal supplement to the FCI/VDH/IRO rescue-dog regulations (IPO-R), meant to open this training area to DVG members.
Who can enter
- Minimum age: 15 months.
- Mandatory prerequisite: the VDH companion dog test, BH-VT, already passed.
- Sick, injured, pregnant or nursing dogs are excluded from the event.
- A handler may start with a maximum of 2 dogs; the exam only takes place if at least 4 handlers enter.
- On entry, the dog's identity is checked (chip/tattoo) and a temperament test (Unbefangenheitsprüfung) is carried out before the start.
Levels MT-I, MT-II, MT-III
| Level | Trail length | Trail age | Terrain | Direction changes | Search time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MT-I | ~300 m | at least 2 hours | quiet residential area, forest, meadow | at least 1 | 15 minutes |
| MT-II | ~600 m | at least 4 hours | busy residential area, forest, meadow, intersections | at least 2 | 30 minutes |
| MT-III | ~1000 m | at least 15 hours | busy residential area, forest, meadow, intersections, stretches with road traffic | at least 4 | 45 minutes |
Source: DVG - Prüfungsordnung Mantrailing 05.2024, section B.1 "Prüfungsstufen". The dog must be able to choose the correct direction independently, among several options at each direction change.
How it is scored
The maximum score is 100 points, split into three components: taking up the trail (10 points - taking up the scent 5, taking up the trail 5), following and holding the trail (50 points - following and holding 30, willingness to work 10, teamwork 10), and finding and indicating the target person (40 points - finding 30, indication behaviour 10).
| Rating | Share of points |
|---|---|
| Vorzüglich (Excellent) | at least 96% |
| Sehr Gut (Very good) | 90-95% |
| Gut (Good) | 80-89% |
| Befriedigend (Satisfactory) | 70-79% |
| Mangelhaft (Insufficient) | below 70% |
Source: DVG - Prüfungsordnung Mantrailing 05.2024, section B.4 "Werturteile". The regulations do not set an explicit "pass" threshold like the FCI exams do - the result is recorded on these rating bands.
Abort and disqualification
- Disqualification: the dog does not present itself properly for the temperament test; unsportsmanlike conduct by the handler (e.g. carrying motivational items or food); breach of animal welfare or good practice; attempted cheating with forbidden aids; aggression or biting towards people or other dogs, before, during or after the exam.
- Abort: the dog is set on the trail unsuccessfully 3 times; the handler does not respond to the judge's call to recall the dog after 3 warnings (each warning costs 3 points); the trail is not finished within the allotted time.
Practical exam details
- The dog works in a harness, on a search line at least 5 metres long; the minimum distance between dog and handler while trailing is 3 metres.
- Working at a running pace is not allowed - a mandatory deduction applies to the following-and-holding-the-trail sub-exercise.
- The dog relieving itself on the trail costs up to 7 points.
- The trail is laid double-blind: the target person hands the judge a detailed route plan, and GPS recordings of the route are permitted.
Official regulations
The figures on this page come from the document below; on trial day the text of the regulations is what counts.
Related pages
Questions and answers
Frequently asked questions
What are the entry requirements?
The dog must be at least 15 months old and must have passed the VDH companion dog test, BH-VT. Sick, injured, pregnant or nursing dogs are excluded.
How many levels does the DVG Mantrailing exam have?
Three: MT-I (~300 m, trail at least 2 hours old), MT-II (~600 m, at least 4 hours) and MT-III (~1000 m, at least 15 hours), with increasing search time and direction changes at each level.
Can a team from outside Germany take part?
The regulations do not explicitly state a citizenship or residency requirement, but the exam is run administratively through DVG member clubs, and the mandatory BH-VT prerequisite is a German VDH test - so in practice, entering means engaging with a DVG-affiliated club.
Want to know where to start?
See all the certifications explained step by step, with the official regulations.