| WYSIWYG Welsh Terriers Earthdog/Go-To-Ground |
The word "terrier" comes from the word "terra," Latin for "earth."
Terriers are dogs originally bred to "go to ground" after
earth-dwelling animals which were considered at the time to be
vermin. Terriers today may be dozens of generations removed
from those original ancestors, but they are still strongly driven by
their instincts to dig, tunnel, pursue prey, bark at it, and kill it
when they can.
Earthdog trials test the strength of a terrier's instincts, with the
exception of killing, which they are not allowed to do. At an
earthdog trial, a terrier (or a dachshund) follows a scented trail
into an underground tunnel, where it must go through twists and
turns until it reaches caged (protected) rats. At that point it must
continue to try to get at the rats, after which it is either called
back out or lifted out of a trap door at the end of the tunnel
(depending on the level of competition). Tunnels are up to 30'
long with a variety of turns and obstacles, again depending on
the level of competition.
AKC Earthdog trials are open to the following terriers:
Australian, Bedlington, Border, Cairn, Dandie Dinmont, Smooth
Fox, Wire Fox, Jack Russell, Lakeland, Manchester, Miniature
Bull, Miniature Schnauzer, Norfolk, Norwich, Scottish, Sealyham,
Silky, Skye, Welsh and West Highland White terrier breeds as
well as Dachshunds.
Earthdog competitions are also offered by other organizations,
including the American Working Terrier Association (AWTA),
which gives its own earthdog titles and offers them to some
non-AKC terrier breeds as well as the same breeds recognized
by the AKC.
We enjoy our membership in Missouri Earthdogs where we
have a chance to meet other terrier enthusiasts, to practice our
earthdog work and to participate in terrier races - another activity
our Welsh love!
Terriers are dogs originally bred to "go to ground" after
earth-dwelling animals which were considered at the time to be
vermin. Terriers today may be dozens of generations removed
from those original ancestors, but they are still strongly driven by
their instincts to dig, tunnel, pursue prey, bark at it, and kill it
when they can.
Earthdog trials test the strength of a terrier's instincts, with the
exception of killing, which they are not allowed to do. At an
earthdog trial, a terrier (or a dachshund) follows a scented trail
into an underground tunnel, where it must go through twists and
turns until it reaches caged (protected) rats. At that point it must
continue to try to get at the rats, after which it is either called
back out or lifted out of a trap door at the end of the tunnel
(depending on the level of competition). Tunnels are up to 30'
long with a variety of turns and obstacles, again depending on
the level of competition.
AKC Earthdog trials are open to the following terriers:
Australian, Bedlington, Border, Cairn, Dandie Dinmont, Smooth
Fox, Wire Fox, Jack Russell, Lakeland, Manchester, Miniature
Bull, Miniature Schnauzer, Norfolk, Norwich, Scottish, Sealyham,
Silky, Skye, Welsh and West Highland White terrier breeds as
well as Dachshunds.
Earthdog competitions are also offered by other organizations,
including the American Working Terrier Association (AWTA),
which gives its own earthdog titles and offers them to some
non-AKC terrier breeds as well as the same breeds recognized
by the AKC.
We enjoy our membership in Missouri Earthdogs where we
have a chance to meet other terrier enthusiasts, to practice our
earthdog work and to participate in terrier races - another activity
our Welsh love!
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Tunnels are approximately 9" x 9"
and the liners are usually made of
wood. A tunnel is dug in the ground,
scented, and then a liner set in
place. The entire tunnel is covered
with dirt. A scent trail leads the dog to
the entrance.
and the liners are usually made of
wood. A tunnel is dug in the ground,
scented, and then a liner set in
place. The entire tunnel is covered
with dirt. A scent trail leads the dog to
the entrance.
| A puppy travels easily through a practice tunnel, but adults have to crawl! |
| Dargen and Ringo - having their first look at some rats. |
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