Earthdog is a ‘Performance Event’ in dog sports that gives Terriers – breeds like Parson
Russells, Westies, Cairns, Border Terriers and many others – and Dachshunds the
opportunity to test their natural hunting skills. These entail the dog wanting to pursue a ‘quarry’
(such as a rat or woodchuck) into burrows in the ground, where the dog 'goes to ground' to
drive out the quarry. This activity dates from times when man needed more control over vermin
to improve the environment and reduce the risk of disease carried by such creatures. The
name ‘terrier’ is derived from the 15th century Anglo-French terrer, literally, earth dog, from the
French word terre for earth, and from Latin terra.
Participating dogs are judged in tests for their instinct to find the quarry using abilities for which they were bred. The goal is to follow a scent to find the quarry underground. Usually rats are used for the quarry as they are readily available. Rats are seldom seen by most people as valuable assets, but in Earthdog tests, the rat is an important member of the event and looked after with care. The rat is well protected in a cage that is behind dowel bars, so the dog does not come into contact with it.
Participating dogs are judged in tests for their instinct to find the quarry using abilities for which they were bred. The goal is to follow a scent to find the quarry underground. Usually rats are used for the quarry as they are readily available. Rats are seldom seen by most people as valuable assets, but in Earthdog tests, the rat is an important member of the event and looked after with care. The rat is well protected in a cage that is behind dowel bars, so the dog does not come into contact with it.
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Web Design by Shirl Hutchins
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Web Design by Shirl Hutchins
© 1996-2012 CoffeeCup Software, Inc. | www.coffeecup.com
The Greater Boston Area Earthdog Club
If you are in the New England area and interested in joining our Earthdog club, come to one of our Events or email: moniquesdogs@gmail.com for more information
Our club has multiple training days at two sites in Massachusetts. We also host AKC Earthdog tests at least one weekend per year.
If you are in the New England area and interested in joining our Earthdog club, come to one of our Events or email: moniquesdogs@gmail.com for more information
Our club has multiple training days at two sites in Massachusetts. We also host AKC Earthdog tests at least one weekend per year.
Look through our website. Checkout our Calendar for
Events we hold and Pictures of our club members and
guests having fun.
Membership Application
Welcome to the Greater Boston Area Earthdog website.
There is a lot of information on our site as well as links to earthdog events not only in New England, but in the mid Atlantic region as well. Earthdog season is just starting up so no matter if you're a seasoned veteran ready to train and/or trial or a newcomer just wanting to watch and learn more, please feel free to come to our trainings and tests.
You will find the dates listed in the calendar section as well as directions to our site in Gardner. We hope to see you during the year.
-Carol
There is a lot of information on our site as well as links to earthdog events not only in New England, but in the mid Atlantic region as well. Earthdog season is just starting up so no matter if you're a seasoned veteran ready to train and/or trial or a newcomer just wanting to watch and learn more, please feel free to come to our trainings and tests.
You will find the dates listed in the calendar section as well as directions to our site in Gardner. We hope to see you during the year.
-Carol
More to follow when I find my camera!