GENERAL INFORMATION
Conditions for participation in the exam:
Only healthy dogs with mandatory vaccinations may participate in the exam, which must be confirmed with a vaccination book upon the judge's request. Dogs suffering from infectious diseases (e.g., kennel cough) are not allowed to take the exam.
The handler must appear in a state suitable for participation in the exam. If they are under the influence of any mind-altering substance, the judge may refuse to start the exam.
Each dog-owner pair begins the exam series at the MT1 level and must complete the exams in sequence, building on each other. The exception is those dogs that have had their results validated in another exam system. (see: "Validation")
In the case of aggressive dogs, the exam is held in a muzzle. The owner is responsible for ensuring the safety of the runner and all other participants.
Everyone participates in the exam at their own risk. The handler is responsible for any damage caused by the dog or the owner. It is permitted to participate in the exam with bitches in heat, which must be informed to the organizers on the application form.
The owner must keep, train and lead the dog in accordance with animal protection regulations. If the exam supervisor observes behaviours that indicate irresponsible animal husbandry, the exam may be invalidated or participation may be denied. The exam supervisor may interrupt the exam at any time if the welfare or safety of the dog requires it.
Application:
By filling out the application form provided in the exam announcement.
Important!: For levels MT5, MT6 and MT7, it is mandatory to have a security person, whom the candidate brings with them. The judge cannot be a security person!
Exam certificate:
exam result will be entered in the performance book provided by the association, and a certificate will be issued in case of successful completion of the exam.
Exam fees:
MT1 and MT2: 4.000Ft/10€
MT3 and MT4: 6.000Ft/15€
MT5: 12.000Ft/30€
MT6: 16.000Ft/40€
MT7: 16.000Ft/40€
Crediting:
Results obtained in other examination systems will be credited according to the table below. The elements taken into account when crediting: track length, time lapse, number of direction changes, track known to the judge or double-blind track.
The crediting and validation of results from other examinations, even foreign ones, not included in the table, is subject to individual assessment, taking into account the factors above.
| Mantrailing Hungary K9 | IRO | K9 Keresőkutyás Egyesület | ROKK | MAA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MT1 | K9 MT-2 | |||
| MT2 | K9 MT-3 | |||
| MT3 | ||||
| MT4 | RH-MT V | K9 MT-4 | X | A1, A2, A3 |
| MT5 | RH-MT A | K9 MT-5 | ||
| MT6 | RH-MT B | K9 MT-6 | B | |
| MT7 |
Validation:
After the dog has been identified (chip reading), the handler certifies the mantrailing exam results achieved so far with the performance book. After that, a new performance book is issued with the list of those included in the credit table.
- - the dog does not find or does not identify the person being searched for
- - the dog does not find the person being searched for within the time frame
- - the dog is not handled professionally
- - the exam is also failed if the dog finds the person “accidentally" or, according to the judge, has not completed the appropriate search work
- - In the case of level MT1-4 exams, the judge, and at level MT5 the trail planner (notifying the judge) may interrupt the exam at any time if they deem that the candidate is no longer able to successfully complete the task within the given time.
- - the judge observes behaviours that deviate from the standards of responsible animal husbandry
- - the handler releases their dog at the meeting point and/or the examination location without the judge's permission
- - the dog endangers another animal or person by biting
- - the pair endangers the safety of themselves, another animal or person (e.g. ignoring road traffic)
Re-examination:
In the event of a failed examination, the examinee may re-take the exam at the next scheduled time. The exams may be repeated without limitation. In the case of re-exams, a new exam fee is due.
Exam procedure:
- - Filling out the application form
- - Providing a runner is mandatory (can be the candidate)
- - Arrival at the exam location (15 minutes early)
- - Taking the dog out at the exam location is only possible according to the judge's instructions
- - Checking in with the judge (handing in the performance book, paying the exam fee)
- - Starting the exam at the judge's signal (starting the exam earlier than the originally specified time is only possible with the consent of the searching pair)
- - The search time starts after the scent article is handed over
- - Judge's evaluation after the exam is completed
- - Handing over the performance book and certificate (at the time and place specified in the information letter)
Rated content:
- - Communication
- - Starting process
- - Trailing
- - Leash management
- - Using commands, helping the dog
- - Interpreting dog signals
- - Finding, signalling
- - Overall impression
Recommended equipment:
- - dog: long leash, harness, collar, water with drinker, reward
- - dog handler: clothing appropriate for the weather and terrain, visibility equipment, headlamp (depending on the time of day)
Trail length:
A deviation of ±20 meters from the trail length specified at the given test level is allowed, taking into account environmental variables.
Scent article:
The scent article is made before the trail is laid. At levels MT1-4, the made scent article is stored and handed over in a sealed bag or in a mason jar or in plastic box. At levels MT5-7, the made scent article is placed in a sealed bag within a mason jar or plastic box, ensuring double, hermetic sealing of the scent article from the environment.
Randomized exam tasks:
- - At MT6 level, it is decided by drawing lots which subtask the pair will start with (finding or trail end). Until the second task is completed, this information is known only to the trail planner (even if the first subtask is unsuccessful). In all cases, a second search is also performed.
- - At MT7 level, in addition to the drawing of lots which subtask the pair will start with (finding or trail end/NSI), the following elements in the trail parameters are also determined by drawing lots:
- * subtask without find: trail end or NSI
- * in case of trail end: trail length
- * subtask with find: trail length.
The trail planner determines the difficulty of the trail or the insertion of components, depending on the characteristics of the location.
Accelerated exam:
The exam system provides the opportunity for accelerated testing. In this case, the applicant has the opportunity to take 2 exams at one exam event between levels MT1-4. In case of failure in the first exam, the second, higher level application will be downgraded to the lower- level supplementary exam.
MT-1
Trail length: 200 m
Runner: can be a friend, stranger or family member
Time lapse: none
Search time: 10 minutes
Search area: green area and/or quieter urban environment
Number of intersections/direction options: 2-3
Changes of direction: 2
Difficulties: none
Help: 1 question allowed (question e.g. Where was our last safe point?)
MT2
Trail length: 300 m
Runner: can be a friend or a stranger, but not a family member
Time lapse: 10 minutes
Search time: 15 minutes
Search area: green area and/or quieter urban environment
Number of intersections/direction options: 2-3
Changes of direction: 2
Difficulties: none
Help: 1 question allowed (question e.g. Where was our last safe point?)
MT3
Trail length: 400 m
Runner: can be a friend or a stranger, but not a family member
Time lapse: 15 minutes
Search time: 20 minutes
Search area: green area and/or urban environment
Number of intersections/direction options: 2-4
Changes of direction: 2-3
Difficulties: none
Help: none
MT4
Trail length: 500 m
Runner: can be familiar or strange, but not a family member
Time lapse: 20 minutes
Search time: 25 minutes
Search area: green area and/or urban environment
Number of intersections/direction options: 2-4
Change of direction: 2-3
Difficulties: yes Help: none
MT5
Trail length: 700 m
Runner: can be familiar or strange, but not a family member
Time lapse: 1-6 hours
Search time: 30 minutes
Search area: green area and/or busy urban environment
Number of intersections/direction options: 3-6
Change of direction: 3-4 Difficulties: yes
Security person: mandatory - the dog handler may ask for his/her advice
Elaboration: double blind, unknown to the judge
Help: none
Two sniff work to be completed within 24 hours:
- - one trail ends with a trail end (which must be recognized within 50 m)
- - the person must be found on the other trail
- - trail end: 400-600 m
- - ending with a find: 800 m
Time lapse: 3-12 hours
Search time: 2x40 minutes
Search area: green area and/or busy urban environment
Number of intersections/direction options: 3-6
Changes of direction: 3-4 Difficulties: yes
Security person: mandatory - the dog handler can ask for his/her advice
Elaboration: double blind, unknown to the judge
Help: none MT7
Two sniff work to be completed within 48 hours:
- - one trail ends with a trail end (which must be recognized within 50 m)
- - the person must be found on the other trail
- - trail end: 50-600 m or NSI 0 m
- - ending with a find: 50-1500 m
Time lapse: 3-12 hours
Search time: 2x60 minutes
Search area: green area and/or busy urban environment
Number of intersections/direction options: 0-8
Change of direction: 0-8 Difficulties: yes + components
Security person: mandatory - the dog handler can ask for his/her advice
Elaboration: double blind, unknown to the judge
Help: none
TERMINOLOGY
Accelerated test - accelerated testing (2 exams at one exam event)Blind trail - the judge knows where the trail leads, the dog handler does not
Change of direction - when there is a change of direction option (open areas are also such, e.g., a field), changing the direction of travel according to the trail plan, at least 30 degrees different from the straight direction of travel
Components - elements on the trail that may be realistic during a live operation. E.g., starting or end scent pool, closed door, hidden, deep or high-altitude target, etc.
Difficulty - an element of the laid trail, which is intended to confuse or distract the search dog, e.g., scent pool, backtrack, etc.
Double blind trail - no one (neither the judge, nor the handler, nor the attendants) knows where the trail leads, only the runner or the trail planner
Intersection/direction choice option - the intersection, confluence, or branching of two or more roads at the same level that occurs during the trail laying process
NSI - No Scent Identification, the scent of the person being searched for is not present in the given area
Randomized task - decided by drawing lots
Runner - the person who laid the trail that the search team is searching for. They make the attempt to search for them more difficult by hiding, so that they do not go to a directly visible place, but, depending on the environmental conditions, hide in the cover of landmarks or vegetation. (Also referred to as: victim person)
Safety person - the person who assists the search team in their work while developing the trail, or ensures their safety, monitors traffic and the environment, measures time and distance, etc., intervenes if necessary (e.g., stops traffic) or informs the handler about important information
Scent article - an odour recorded by the person being searched for, which can be a handkerchief, sterile gauze, small piece of clothing (e.g. socks), etc.
Search area - information about the location of the trail laying
Search time - the time that can be spent searching for the runner
Signal of the found person - a specific offered or taught behaviour of the dog, based on which it is clear to the handler that the runner has been found, this is usually a sit or bark - the signal is expected at the end of the trail and in the case of NSI
Time lapse - the time elapsed between laying the trail and the start of the search Traffic lane - a section of the roadway wide enough for a line of cars to safely pass Trail length - the distance covered by the person being searched for
Trail plan - a drawing of the route the person being searched for wants to take
Trail planner - the person who plans the trail according to the exam rules
STANDARDS OF RESPONSIBLE ANIMAL KEEPING
The detailed rules for keeping animals are set out in Act XXVIII of 1998 on the Protection and Welfare of Animals and Government Decree 41/2010 (II.26.) on the Keeping and Distribution of Pet Animals:1. The animal keeper is obliged to act with the care of a good farmer and to provide living conditions appropriate to the species, breed and physiological needs of the animal.
2. The animal and the place where the animal is kept must be checked by the animal's owner at least once a day.
3. Dogs older than four (4) months must be equipped with a transponder (microchip).
4. The animal owner must have up-to-date data and documents regarding mandatory immunization (mandatory and regular vaccinations).
5. The animal owner must ensure the proper and safe placement and professional care of the dog.
6. The animal owner must ensure that the dog does not escape. The dog must not endanger the safety of other animals or people! Keeping a dog must not permanently and unnecessarily disturb the established life and customs of the surrounding community.
7. It is FORBIDDEN to keep a dog permanently tied up! It is FORBIDDEN to keep a small dog permanently in an area smaller than 10 m², a medium-sized dog in an area smaller than 15 m², and a large dog in an area smaller than 20 m²!
8. In public areas of an indoor area - except for the area designated for running dogs - dogs may only be kept on a leash.
9. In public areas, dogs may not endanger other animals or people by biting them.
10. The pet owner is obliged to remove the dog's excrement from the public area!
Regulations source: Mantrailing Hungary K9.
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