Also known as "going to ground". Dogs are to follow the scent of the rat through a 9"/22.86 square tunnel and work the caged rat. Working quarry includes barking, lunging, pawing, digging and generally harassing the caged rats.

Intro to Quarry

Intro to quarry is for beginning dogs to get a taste of the work. They have a shorter tunnel to go through and judge is allowed to help. The tunnel is 10 feet long with one 90 degree turn. The dog is released 10 feet away on a scent line, has 2 minutes to find the rat and must work it for 30 seconds.

Junior Earthdog (JE)

The junior test is harder in that the tunnel is 30 feet long with three 90 degree turns. To get a JE your dog has to qualify in two the Junior earthdog tests under two different judges. The dog has 30 seconds to find the rat and work it for 60 seconds.

Senior Earthdog (SE)

The senior test has a tunnel is 30 feet long with three 90 degree turns, a false den and exit, and you are required to call the dog out of the tunnel after the rat is removed. Your dog has to have earned a JE title to enter this class. To get an SE your dog has to qualify in the Senior earthdog test three times under two different judges. The dog is released from 50 feet away and must find the quarry in 90 seconds, working it for 90 seconds and upon being recalled by whistle or command, must return in 90 seconds.

Master Earthdog (ME)

The Master test has a tunnel is 30 feet long with three 90 degree turns, a false entrance, den and exit. Dogs are released on the scent line approximately 100 to 300 yrd’s from the real den entrance.  The dogs must reach the entry in about 60 seconds.  Once the entrance is found, one of the dogs must honor the other (and then switch places when the first dog has worked the den). The working dog has 90 seconds to find the quarry and must work it for 90 seconds.  The Judge will tap on the roof of the tunnel when it is working as a distraction.  The honoring dog must remain quiet, collared and staked during the honor. Your dog has to have earned at least an SE title to try this test. To get an ME your dog has to qualify in the Master earthdog test four times under two different judges.

A group of Cairns doing what comes naturally - going to ground.

 

What is a Title?

Not just a brag, not just a stepping stone to a higher title,
not just an adjunct to competitive score.

A title is a tribute to the dog that bears it,
a way to honor the dog,
an ultimate memorial.

It will remain in the record and in the memory,
for about as long as anything in the world can remain.

And though the dog himself doesn't know or care
that his achievements have been noted,
A title says many things in the world of humans where such things count.

A title says your dog was intelligent, adaptable and good natured.
It says that your dog loved you enough to do the things that pleased you
however crazy they may have sometimes seemed.

It says that you loved to spend time with him because he was a good dog
and that you believed in him enough to give him yet another chance
when he failed and in the end, your faith was justified.

A title proves that you dog inspired you to that special relationship
enjoyed by so few. That, in a world of disposable creatures, this dog
with a title was greatly loved and loved greatly in return.

And when that dear short life is over,
the title remains as a memorial of the finest kind,
the best you can give to a deserving friend.

Volumes of praise in one small set of initials after a name.

An earthdog, rally-o, obedience, etc title is nothing less than
true love and respect -
given and received and recorded permanently.

                                                                                                                                                                  Unknown

Earthdog

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