AKC versus ScH tracking rules?

[codmaster]

We are just getting started in tracking and have opportunities to get into both. I had done a little AKC tracking a Loooong time ago, but am really starting fresh with my current dog.

So what I am looking for is a good source of the rules/regulations of each and esp. if there is a good comparison of the two?

Thanks!

[BlackPuppy]

Here is a nice comparison. Untitled Document

From my time learning about both styles, the big difference is that style counts in SchH (points), AKC is pass/fail. SchH wants the dog's nose on the ground all the time. In AKC it's fine for the dog to stop and scent the air in several directions and even circle around looking for a turn in the track. My Laekenois tracked AKC with his nose at least a foot of the ground. I asked my trainer about it, and she said some dogs are just very good and don't need their nose on the ground.

The AKC rules can be found on the AKC web site. http://www.akc.org/pdfs/rulebooks/RU9999.pdf

Basically, with AKC, it's pass/fail, and the judge gives the dog a lot of leeway before whistling him off for being lost. I also used to help out at our club's tracking tests. It is held every March near Cincinnati.

Also, the T1 and T2 are very easy compared to the AKC TD which is the easiest of the tests.

[codmaster]

Thanks much! BIG help!

[Castlemaid]

If you are interested in doing both, best bet is to teach your dog Schutzhund style tracking. A dog that has had its starting foundation in Schutzhund style footstep-to-footstep tracking normally will have no problems completing and passing an AKC style track. But dogs that have been started with AKC style tracking where air-scenting is allowed and encouraged will have a difficult time being re-trained for nose-to-the-ground, no air-scenting tracking in Schutzhund.

[lhczth]

The conditions in AKC tracking test can vary a lot more than seen in most SchH/IPO trials so problem solving can be very important. I agree that teaching SchH/IPO style tracking is best while making sure you challenge the dog with varying terrain and conditions. The TDX is a very tough track and only surpassed by the FH2.

You do need to be certified before doing a TD. Basically a AKC tracking judge will have your dog run a TD to make sure it is ready to enter a TD. AKC tracking tests are getting to be few and far between and can be really tough to get into (luck of the draw). They are also very expensive. Part of the problem is the crazy requirements for how much room must be between tracks, the expense of having the judges for two days (since they must walk and plot the tracks with the track layers), and the limit on how many tracks a judge can judge which greatly decreases how many tracks can be laid at one trial. That is why my SchH mentors eventually got involved in SchH.

[debbiebrown]

this is exactly what i am doing. i started Sam with SchH tracking style......and plan to go for that. but as a starter we are going for AKC tracking cert in the spring to kind of ease into the whole atmosphere, etc.

i was amazed at the differences are with the rules........i track with a friend regularly, she is strictly AKC tracking. its weird to watch her dog track compared to Sam. her dog doesn't seem to be nose to the ground alot of the time, then if it loses the track she waits for it while it air scents and screws around, and goes way off track, it might pee or roll in something and goof off before it decides to start tracking again. there is no correction given she just waits it out. i can't imagine it would be allowed even in AKC for the dog to pee and roll in something before it decides to continue tracking. i would think the dog has to be obviously working even if its off track a bit. If Sam comes to a corner and loses scent, he might pick his head up air scent and come back to pick up track. if he were to goof off and i knew he was he would be corrected.........

[GSDElsa]

Originally Posted by BlackPuppy

I asked my trainer about it, and she said some dogs are just very good and don't need their nose on the ground.

Errr...being "good" has nothing to do with tracking with their nose a foot off the ground!

[GSDElsa]

Originally Posted by debbiebrown

then if it loses the track she waits for it while it air scents and screws around, and goes way off track, it might pee or roll in something and goof off before it decides to start tracking again.

I can't believe she lets her dog get away with this!

Yeah, I would be correcting that too...and working on building a bit more drive for the track. Sounds like her dog really isn't so into it.

[debbiebrown]

LOL, No i can't believe she lets her dog do it either..................and she is taking her dog for the AKC trackt cert very soon............and No i don't think her dog is into tracking, and she also uses No food on the track which i think is a big mistake, at least it would give the dog incentive to keep her head down and track. she only rewards on the article and her dog is good at downing there. in my opinion i think she needs to back up and use food, but she thinks because her dog is so overly food motivated it is distracting. its one of those things where i don't say anything because she has her own way of doing things...........and yes, how is a dog supposed to learn disapline on track if its not corrected for goofing off...............i can trust Sam, he is a pretty honest tracker, working all the time, and if he comes to a spot where he loses scent i don't have to wait long for him to find it.

[BlackPuppy]

In AKC dogs are allowed to pee or otherwise relieve themselves during the test. The dogs I've seen do this will go off to the side and then return to the track. As for rolling around, the judge will probably end the session at that point, because it's obvious the dog has stopped tracking.