This page was last updated April 25, 2007
| The Master Earthdog Test is designed to test
the dog's ability to work with other dogs, to distinguish between live earth and vacant
earth's, to overcome underground obstacles, and to wait their turn while another dog
works. This class is open only to dogs that have acquired the Senior Earthdog title. To be
awarded the Master Earthdog title, a dog must qualify in the Master Earthdog class at four
tests under two different Judges. The tunnel uses the same design as the Senior tunnel with the following modifications: Entrances are not readily visible and are blocked with a removable obstruction; there is an 18 inch section of the tunnel which constricts to a 6 inch passage horizontally; there is an obstacle in the tunnel which is a 6 inch diameter section of PVC pipe suspended crossways in the tunnel with 9 inches on each side of the pipe's centerline. There is an unscented false den locate midway along the approach to the main tunnel entrance. Dogs are worked two at a time in braces. Dogs, Handlers and Judge proceed in the direction of the scent line from a release point 300 feet from the real den entrance, which is blocked and has a steward positioned nearby to deal with overly aggressive dogs. Dogs must reach the real entrance before the Judge. Dogs barking at the false den cannot qualify. If a dog does not decisively indicate the real den entrance he/she cannot qualify, but can continue to be tested. The first dog to reach and indicate the entrance may be removed by the handler so the second dog has a chance to indicate the entrance. |
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<= | Dogs, handlers and judge proceed from the release point to the tunnel entrance |
One dog finds and indicates the blocked entrance with its bracemate close behind |
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| The second dog (honoring dog) is staked approximately 10 feet from the entrance on a twist-in-the-ground stake with a two foot chain. During this time the honoring dog should show interest but cannot be excessively barking and out of control so that the working dog cannot be heard. The first dog must then reach the quarry within 90 seconds of being released and work the quarry for 90 seconds. While the dog is working the quarry, the judge will simulate digging sounds by lightly striking the top of the area with a piece of wood for 30 seconds. The dog should ignore this and continue working. The dog must then be removed from the working area within 15 seconds. Then it is placed in the honoring position while the second dog is tested in the same manner. | ||
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<= | The judge simulates a digging sound with the shovel |
| The Master tunnel is similar to the Senior tunnel with a few
changes. There is a constriction created by boards which narrow the tunnel to
6". There is also an obstruction, simulating a root. The obstruction is 6"
diameter PVC pipe mounted on a dowel, allowing the pipe to move. The liner is raised
above the obstruction. The den entrance is not readily visible. Both the entrance and false exit are initially blocked with removable obstructions. |
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