There are still five months to the official start of the test, but theAssociation of Trentino Hunters,National Union of Alpine Zone Hunters (UNCZA) e Kraun hut have organized a national competition for track dogs and reserved for dachshund breed. The event is scheduled for Sunday 10 July 2016 in mezzocorona, in the province of Trento. The previous day will be dedicated to the preparation of the tracks by the judges, so that then at 8 on Sunday it will be possible to start the test, but not before the registration of the participants. The presentation of the qualification booklet and the dog health booklet is required in compliance with the anti-rabies vaccination and with the microchip. The regulation in force will be that of ENCI (Italian National Dog-loving Body).
Specifically, the competitors can be divided into special heats, as long as the jury is engaged in at least six shifts. Each battery cannot include more than four shifts and the maximum number of participants may be increased for reasons of force majeure up to a maximum of six. The handler is obliged to present himself with the dog on a leash to the jury: must also be provided with a special collar, a short leash and a track leash with a minimum length of six meters and a maximum of ten.
On the other hand, leashes equipped with an automatic rolling mechanism and strangling collars are prohibited. Before the start of the test it will be necessary to communicate to the judge the way to work along the course, i.e. with or without the use of the track leash. Other information to be provided to the jury concerns the execution of the discipline of obedience to the foot with or without the short leash, without forgetting the practice of totwerbeller or towaiser as regards the arrival at the end of the track.
The dog can be encouraged in a whisper or with a gesture, while it is absolutely not allowed to direct the animal on the path to follow. In the event that he goes off the track, then the conductor will have the task of following him, both with the voice and with the pull on the leash. Qualifications are awarded on the basis of specific criteria. The highest of all is "Excellent", which indicates that the dog has shown the greatest degree in all the style and natural qualities of the track breeds. Then follows the "Very Good" qualification, relating to the excellent work of the dog which has the peculiar qualities of the breed and the "Good" qualification, when the dog demonstrates that he possesses the characteristics of his breed in good measure and does not make serious mistakes.