Senior Earthdog

This test is designed to present the more experienced hunter with a more realistic den situation. In the wild, few natural earths are single tunnels: they are complex, multiple entrance designs. The dog must be able to not only locate the quarry within a complex earth but should also be willing to leave the earth if the quarry has bolted.

This class is open only to dogs that have acquired at minimum, the Junior Earthdog title. To be awarded the SE title, a dog must qualify in the Senior Earthdog class at three tests under two different Judges.

The tunnel consists of a main tunnel with three 90 degree turns, 2 entrances and false den. The main tunnel is 30 feet long from either entrance to the quarry. The false den will be a side tunnel with no exit approximately 4 feet in length. The false den will have a heavily scented simulated litter/bedding area.



The entrances to the den are camouflaged by a 4 inch dirt mound providing a steep 45 degree entrance to the den.

The dog is released from a point midway between both entrances and about 20 feet from either entrance. A scent line is laid in an arch joining both entrances so that the scent line passes about 5 feet in front of the release point. When released, the dog has 90 seconds to reach the quarry. The dog may enter either entrance and leave the den provided it has not reached the quarry. The dog must remain with quarry once it has been reached, but has 15 seconds to begin working. The dog must work quarry continuously for 90 seconds.
The Judge removes the quarry and then instructs the handler to recall the dog.


The Handler may go to either den entrance and call and/or use a whistle (no bait, hides, noisemakers, or toys may be used.) The Handler is allowed to reach into the entrance to retrieve the dog. The Handler may leave the den entrance to retrieve the dog once the dog has left the den. The dog must be retrieved by the Handler within 90 seconds from the instruction to recall.

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This site was last updated 12/29/07