I've been working on an official update of the USA Rulebook... unfortunately it's been stuck in the bureaucratic void for some time. In the meanwhile, these rules are offered temporarily in the spirit of sharing information on the web while I work on "The Annotated Updated Ammended Appended Unofficial Rulebook for All Working Dog Evaluations". The BH is completed; for the Annotated Rules, see: The Annotated BH. For an overview of what to expect and do on Trial Day, see: Trial Day: The BH

Part A — TRACKING

A: REQUIREMENTS

No FH may be laid on a solid snow-cover.

30 minutes after the laying of the FH 1 track, and 30 minutes before starting the dog on the FH 2 track, a second person (who is also a stranger to the dog) will receive a signal from the judge to lay the cross track, which shall cross the track three times.

Point Allocation in the Tracking Work

Tracking Articles

Within any one track, articles different from each other must be used. Their color may not stand out considerably from that of the terrain, and their size may not exceed that of a wallet (billfold).

Materials: Leather, vinyl, fabric, wood.

In SchH 2, 3 and FH the articles are to be given to the track layer(s) far enough in advance so that the track layer(s) can carry the articles on their bodies for at least 30 minutes before laying the tracks.

In SchH 1, the handler uses his/her own articles. Attention should be paid to see that these articles are likewise well-scented.

B: THE LAYING OF THE TRACK

The Placing of the Articles

The articles are to be laid on the track, while the track layer is in motion. After laying the last article at the end of the track, the track layer must proceed straight ahead a few paces further.

SchH 1: Article #1 is laid in the middle of either the first or the second leg (handler's choice as to which leg); article #2 at the end of the track.

SchH 2: Article #1 is laid in the middle of the second leg; article #2 at the end of the track.

SchH 3: Article #1 is laid at least 100 paces out (and possibly on the second leg); article #2 at approximately middle of second or third leg of track; article #3 at the end of the track.

FH 1: Article #1 is laid at least 250 paces out (on 1st or 2nd first or second leg); articles #2 and #3 are laid on the judge's signal; article #4 at the end of the track.

FH 2: The placement of the articles is determined by the judge.

C: VARIOUS OPTIONS IN THE TRACKING WORK

The tracking line is to be attached to the tracking harness by means of the device (ring, etc.) on the harness that is provided for that purpose, without attaching the line to the collar (except in the case of a Böttger tracking harness).

If the Böttger harness is used, the judge must ensure that the body-strap is not fastened in the area of the dog's sensitive (private) parts.

The use of additional straps is not permitted.

The tracking line must be at least ten meters long. Examination of the line length, the collar and the harness by the judge may take place before the beginning of the trial. Retractable lines are not permitted.

After successfully taking up the scent, the dog must proceed with tracking behavior appropriate to the working out of the track.

After the 4th unsuccessful start at the beginning, the tracking work is to be terminated.

Exception: The FH rules state that within the first 15 paces after the start, the dog may be restarted only once (subject to deduction of up to 4 points).

Once the dog has taken up the scent and is following it, the handler must remain at the starting point until the dog has reached the end of the tracking line, or until the required distance of 10 meters is reached. Earlier following of the dog is faulty.

Restarting of the dog further on in the course of the track is not permitted in any trial level.

A restart consists of the handler taking the dog at heel, by the collar or on a shortened line, and again setting the dog onto the track.

Tracking Performance

If the dog picks up articles, he may then stand still, sit, or come to the handler. Moving forward with the picked-up article or picking it up while lying down is faulty. If the dog brings the article to the handler, the handler may not move toward the dog.

As soon as the dog has found an article, he must immediately pick it up or indicate it convincingly, without influence from the handler. The handler must drop the line and immediately go to the dog. Found articles are to be shown to the judge by holding them in the hand and raising the arm up high.

The handler must position himself next to the dog while taking delivery of or lifting up of the article.

The dog must remain calmly in the indicating or picking-up position until his handler, standing beside him, restarts him with a short line.

If the dog indicates a false object or interrupts his tracking-work (i.e. by lying down, sitting or standing still), this is faulty and will cause point-deduction.

If on command from the handler, the dog continues to work at the 10-meter distance, only 2 points will be deducted, and it will not be counted as a false indication. If the handler goes to the dog, it will be counted as a false indication and penalized by a 4-point deduction.

Leaving the Track

DIAGRAM OF SCHH 1 AND SCHH 2 TRACKS

These tracks may also be laid as mirror-images of those shown below.

DIAGRAM OF SCHH 3 TRACKS

DIAGRAM OF FH 1 TRACKS

Scoring of Tracking Work

Faulty starting, aimless wandering, frequent circling on the corners, continuous encouragement, incorrect picking up or indicating, and dropping of articles will be penalized up to 4 points.

Repeated starting, strong wandering, tracking with a predominately high nose, hectic tracking, urinating/defecating, mouse-catching etc. are penalized up to 8 points.

For articles not found, the prescribed article-points will not be given.

E: TRACKING DOG — LEVEL 2
(FH 2)

General

It is pointed out that Tracking Dog Level 2 (FH 2) represents a type of test which is essential to be undertaken by sport (civilian) dogs. Special claims (pretences) which might arise out of the realm of service dog achievements are not to be made.

It is mandatory that the track laying for this test be performed by responsible persons who have undergone special training (schooling) in the field.

As a rule, the trial judge for this type of test may not accompany the track layer, tracking-diagrams must be drawn by the track layer. The judge must also make sure that the cross-tracks are laid according to the rules ½ hour before the start-time.

Entry Requirements

Laying of the Track

The track layer, who is a stranger to the dog, must prepare a terrain-sketch for the judge. The course of the track is to be planned in advance with the judge or with the appointed tracking chairperson, utilizing naturale landmarks such as lone-standing trees, power poles, sheds/cottages/outbuildings etc.

Before laying the track, the track layer will show the required tracking articles to the judge/tracking chairperson. The track layer must have carried the articles on his person for at least 30 minutes, in order to scent them well. The articles may not exceed the above-stated dimensions, and they must not differ markedly in their color from the surrounding terrain.

The start of the track is located within a surface area of 20 x 20 meters, in which only the track layer has entered. Entry into this area by any third party is to be prevented. The track layer will place in the ground, 20 paces apart, two marking stakes, between which is the "starting line". From either the starting line or from one of the two stakes, the track layer goes out and lays down an "identification article". This article marks the true start of the track. The identification article is of a similar size and composition as the other articles on the track, but it is not counted in the scoring.

Once the track layer has laid down the identification article, he must remain standing on that spot for a brief period of time. The track will then be laid at a normal pace.

The articles are to be laid on the track at irregular distances. The first article must be placed at least 250 paces from the starting-point. The seventh (last) article is laid at the end of the track. Articles must not be laid at corners (angles) or in the immediate vicinity thereof. They must not be laid next to the track, but actually on the track. The track layer will indicate on his track diagram, by placing "X" marks, all of the places where he has laid the articles. Careful attention is to be given to ensure that the track is laid over changing terrain. It must be laid so as to simulate a real situation, therefore any pre-drawn map or pattern is to be avoided.

Thirty minutes before the start time, a second track layer (also a strange to the dog), by arrangement with and under direction from the primary track layer, will receive the instruction to lay a cross track that will intersect the primary track at least twice.

Working of the Track

of the first leg of the track. From the location of the identification article, the track may proceed straight ahead, right, left or even at an angle. Notice should be taken of the fact that the first leg of the track may not cross the start-line.

For the searching-out of the identification article, the handler is free to handle the dog either off-lead or on the tracking line. The time allotted for the dog to locate the identification article (+ i.e. the start point), determine the direction of the track, and begin working out the track is limited to three minutes. The handler is free to choose the point on the start-line at which he will start the dog searching for the identification article.

The handler may not cross over the starting-line until the 10 meter tracking line has run out (or the free-working dog has reached a distance of 10 meters away from the handler). The handler may encourage the dog, during the search for the identification article, by means of voice and/or hand signals.

If the dog comes onto the track beyond the identification article and takes up the tracking-work confidently, the handler must follow the dog. In this case, the tracking work must continue on in the same way the dog began (free or on the tracking line). If the dog finds the identification article, the handler goes immediately to him and starts him on the working-out of the track. He may first, if necessary, attach a tracking line to the collar or harness.

The dog should be allowed to take up the scent thoroughly at the starting-point. He should be so trained that with no influence from the handler he will calmly and extensively take the scent at the starting-point. Under no circumstances may the handler, with his hand, arouse in the dog the urge to charge ahead forwards. No restarting is permitted.

As soon as the dog begins to track, the handler must stand still and let the 10-meter tracking line glide through his hands. The tracking line, attached either to the collar or to a harness, may be placed over the dog's back, along the dog's side, or between the dog's front and/or hind legs.

The track should be worked out calmly, so that the handler can follow at a normal pace. The handler follows at about a 10-meter distance, which must also be maintained if the dog is tracking free. When the dog comes upon an article, he must immediately pick it up or indicate it convincingly. When picking it up the dog may stand still, sit or come to the handler. If he comes to the handler, the handler may not advance toward him. Proceeding forward with the picked-up article is faulty. Indicating may be done sitting, lying down, standing, or alternating among those positions.

The handler must go to the dog immediately and take the article after raising it in the air to show the judge. The handler praises the dog and immediately lets him continue tracking. If the dog, while on the track, comes upon an article that was not placed by the track layer, he may neither pick it up or indicate it. If the dog changes over from the primary track onto the cross-track and follows it for more than one line length, the tracking work must be terminated. The judge is permitted to give the handler some positional help whenever the terrain imposes extreme difficulties which the dog cannot overcome (for example large water holes or deep gullies/trenches, etc.) No points are deducted for this.

The handler is allowed, after consultation with the judge, to interrupt the tracking work briefly if he believes that he or his dog needs a short pause, on grounds of physical (health) status or weather conditions (i.e. extreme heat). Here also there is no point deduction. The restarting of the dog on the track will not be scored as a "restart" under the meaning prescribed as faulty in the Trial Rulebook. The time taken for such permitted pauses, however, is counted in the total time available to the handler and dog for working out the track.

The handler is allowed, during a "pause" or at an article, to clean up the dog's head, eyes and nose. For this purpose, he may carry with him during the tracking work a wet cloth or sponge. These items are to be shown to the judge before the start of the tracking work. Further aids are not permitted.

Any physical help (i.e. jerking on the line) or meaningful verbal help (additional commands to track) are to be refrained from by the handler. If any such help is given, it could lead to termination of the tracking work.

Scoring

Samples of FH 2 Tracks