Some attributes of a dog often go unnoticed or forgotten. It's easy to do, as most dogs are for companionship. Even so, canines have a long ancestry.
These attributes or characteristics often depend on the dog breed, and the resulting qualities might be interesting to explore.
One characteristic is a dog's natural ability to track a scent and to follow that scent in search of the game. Every dog has to some degree the ability to track prey if so inclined.
Tracking as a Sport - The art of tracking as a sport is a practice contested by a variety of dog breeds. These events take advantage of a canine's natural ability to find a scent and to follow that scent to a specific person, terrain, or object. To offer a great challenge different levels are presented, such as longer tracks, multiple objects to locate, and extra turns in the terrain.
An interesting point to note - In dog sports like agility or obedience competition the master is in charge, but with tracking competitions the dog is in command and leading the way. To allow the handler to follow the hunt, the dog is often attached to a 30' leash. Some breeds are slow and very meticulous, with other being extremely confident and track their prey at a rapid pace.
Tracking Competitions - Once a test is given, a dog will receive its own trail. Two judges are assigned to watch over a particular dog and its handler. It will take a vast area to put on such a competition. In order to compete, a dog most be certified on its tracking abilities prior to entering a competitive dog tracking event.
A to Z Dog Breeds
