This page was last updated April 25, 2007
| The Senior Earthdog Test is a more realistic test which
evaluates a dog in a more complex hunt situation. In addition to his JE skills, the dog
must be able to determine the correct direction taken by the quarry underground and to
leave the den when called. This class is open only to dogs that have acquired 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 30 foot main tunnel with three 90 degree turns, a false exit and false den. A 20 foot scent line leads to the entrance.The entrance and exit to the den are camouflaged by a 4 inch dirt mound providing a steep 45 degree entrance to the den. The false exit shall be approximately 7 feet in length with one 90 degree turn. 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. |
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| Approach: The dog is released 20 feet from the den entrance and has 90 seconds to reach the quarry from the time the dog is released. The dog may enter 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. Working: The dog must work quarry continuously for 90 seconds. | ||
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Finding the entrance to the Senior tunnel |
| Recall: The judge removes the quarry and then instructs the handler to recall the dog. The handler may go to the 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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The rats are removed after the dog works. The dog will then be recalled by the handler. |
| The 9" X 9" tunnel is approximately 30 feet in total length with 3 90 degree turns, a false exit and a false den. The false exit is approximately 7 feet long with one 90 degree turn. It isn't visible to the dog and handler from the release point. The false den is a side tunnel with no exit, approximately 4 feet long with a 12 X 8 inch door at the top. A scented pile of bedding material is placed below the door to simulate the bedding area found in natural dens.The entrance to this tunnel is less obvious, marked with a mound of dirt that may also be camouflaged by natural cover. There is a 45 degree slope into the earth at the entrance. |
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