AKC/ANKC Tracking with a Dogue De Bordeaux

[KMD]

I was already starting my English Staffy on tracking training (because we've got some amazing trackers locally who are willing to train us) and so when my DDB puppy Barrett arrived, I decided that she may as well join in the fun.

There definitely hasn't been a DDB tracking competitively in my state before (and not in the country that we could find) so her tracking style was something we had to figure out as we went.

In the space of 8 weeks, Barrett progressed from starting with hide and seek games to earning her TD1 qualification when she just, JUST hit the age limit for competing (6 months) for the last local trial of the year... when she was 6 months and 2 days old. She is a fabulous tracker, positive article indications, minimal casting, small circles, beautiful direction indications and reasonably tight corners. She's still learning (as am I) but I'm very proud of my baby girl

I was also wondering if anyone else does tracking with their Mastiff in general or DDB in particular and if they had any insight to share about tracking styles, successful training methods or potential problems... because we're sort of making it up as we go!

Here's a picture of Barrett and her Staffy brother Smith receiving their medals at the tracking trial.

 

[NeoBull]

I don't but that's awesome! Congrats!


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[KMD]

Thank you very much

I'm hoping someone has had experience with Mastiffs and tracking, because there is literally no information beyond general methods available to me so I'm not sure if what she does is strictly correct as there is very little casting and circling happening. From what I am reading that isn't normal, however she's finding the trail so maybe that's just Mastiff Awesomeness?

I would be grateful for any feedback/information/suggestions

 

[NYDDB]

I also don't have any professional experience, but I do know that my Dogue seems to have a really good tracking sense about him. Despite his short muzzle, when he drops his head, all those wrinkles fall down around his face and he reminds me of a Bloodhound, picking up even the most subtle scents and following them into oblivion, lol.

Good luck with your girl; sounds like she found something special and unique to excel in.

 

[ruthcatrin]

My TM Apollo has an awesome nose on him. Unfortunately he'll only track scents he finds interesting, so I've had zero luck doing any actual training......However we've just started doing Barn Hunt with our smaller dog and I'm thinking I can probly convince Apollo to use his nose enough to at least get him his Instinct cert at least!

 

[KMD]

Tracking season just started again here and Barrett passed her TD2 on the weekend!

Then she decided the next morning to hunt rabbits and cows instead of tracking, but that's a DDB for you. If they don't want to, they don't!!!!

 

[NYDDB]

Tracking season just started again here and Barrett passed her TD2 on the weekend!

Then she decided the next morning to hunt rabbits and cows instead of tracking, but that's a DDB for you. If they don't want to, they don't!!!!

Congrats!

And, yeah...sounds about right, LOL.

 

[KMD]

Thank you! Super proud of my girl

 

[KMD]

TD3 passed at an away trial on the weekend - Barrett now has her TD tracking title!!! Now for TDX...

 

[KMD]

TDX passed on the weekend!!!!

Very proud of my girl.

 

[tmricciuto]

Congrats KMD.


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[DDSK]

How cool is that!!

 

[KMD]

Thank you! She is such a great worker.