Earthdog

Did you know that there is a canine sport called Earthdog?

Yes. It is for those terriers who love to chase little animals.


Terriers' ancestors chased an animal to its den, then dug and tunneled in to dispatch it, also known as "going to ground." At Earthdog events, tunnels are pre-built and the rat at the end is in a protective cage, but the challenge still remains.

To get started, it is recommended to have a good working relationship with your dog so that it is under control.

For practice, you can use cardboard tubes which are secured not to roll. Use a favorite toy to tempt your dog through the tube. When your dog confidently works its way through the tubes, you are ready for an Introduction to Quarry test.

Events are often hosted by regional breed-specific terrier or Dachshund clubs. Look for a local Earthdog club by using a search engine or visiting the American Kennel Club website. Earthdog is an AKC trial event.

It is fun to watch your dog doing what it is bread to do, and they have so much fun doing it.