AKC Tracking Judges

Tracking Judges must understand the difference between a Judge’s Excusal and Judge’s Disqualification to make the correct choice when confronted with an unusual situation with an exhibiting dog.

Reasons for a Judge to Disqualify a dog:

Blind – a dog without useful vision

Change by artificial means – a dog that has been surgically/permanently altered (dyed, taped, or bandaged dogs are excused by the judge, not disqualified)

Attacks or Attempts to Attack a PERSON on the Tracking Field

Judge’s Procedure for Disqualification resulting from Attack or Attempts to Attack a Person:

• Remain calm and in control.

• Stop Judging and take care of injured person if necessary.

• Request that the handler move the dog off to the side.

• Inform the handler that the dog has been “Disqualified by Judge” and state reason.

• Inform the handler that the dog is no longer eligible to show in any AKC event until reinstated.

• Fill out the “Disqualification by Judge/Evaluator for Attacking a Person” form.*

• Mark Judges’ Book “Disqualified” and state reason.

• Detach pink copy to give to exhibitor, Judge keeps yellow copy, include the white copy in the Tracking Secretary Report.

• Resume judging.

*AKC sends each Tracking Test giving club a full test “kit” once each year. The “kit” includes all the forms required to be available at each tracking test. After an event, the secretary should replace all used forms and then pass on the complete test “kit” to the next test secretary. All forms are available on the AKC website under Tracking Secretary Resources: https://www.akc.org/sports/tracking/tracking-test-secretary-resources/

The Judge’s Books are the official record of judging results for AKC tracking events. Along with the track charts, the Judge’s Book Covers are used to document the event details. The forms are available on the AKC website as part of Tracking Test Trial Secretary Resources: https://images.akc.org/pdf/RU9999.pdf

Judges must complete a separate Judge’s Book Cover for each level of tracking test at an event.

After the basic test information, the cover form has two fill-in blanks that judges may question or misinterpret.

Total No. of Dogs to be Judged: _____

Write in the number of dogs that you actually judged. If the judges have laid an alternate track which was not needed for regular exhibitors, an alternate exhibitor may run the alternate track as a titling track. This would add an additional dog to the advertised limit for the test and should be included on the cover sheet.

Catalog Numbers of Dogs Entered in the Test: _____

Write in the Catalog numbers for all of the dogs that were entered at Closing. Dogs that were marked “Withdrawn” or “Absent” after closing should also be included here.

Use the cover sheet to report anything unusual. *Additional comments by the Judges.

The judges should describe unusual circumstances on the back of the Judge’s Book Cover. It is a good idea to write something like “*See back” at the bottom of the cover page. Also, remind the Secretary to copy the back of the cover page if they are submitting the test report electronically.

Happy Tracking!

When a dog and handler are being evaluated by the judges at a tracking test, it is important that the dog shows willingness and enjoyment in his work. Along with completing the track successfully, the dog must work continuously and be under control.

The AKC Tracking Regulations (Chapter 2, Section 2) states that a dog may be excused by the judges if the handler cannot control the dog. While the judges could often make the decision to fail the dog for “not working,” there are situations where “out of control” is a more informative and precise reason for failure.

Here are examples of a dog that is out of control:

            ● The dog grabs the start article and starts down the track with the article in his mouth. The handler calls but the dog will not return to the handler and/or will not give up the article.

            ● During judging, the tracking line gets tangled around a bush. The handler unclips the line to untangle it. The dog takes off and runs around the field refusing to return to the handler.

            ● The dog flushes a rabbit while on his track. The handler restrains the dog at the end of the line. The dog pulls and barks in the direction of the bunny trail. The handler is unable to get the dog back to tracking.

            ● The line slips out of the handler’s grasp and the dog continues to track the last three legs. The handler calls but the dog refuses to return or wait for the handler.

            ● A dog is overexcited or frustrated on the track. The dog repeatedly leaps at the handler, barking and nipping.

By identifying the team’s reason for failure as “out of control,” the handler gets the most accurate information regarding the specific training problem that needs to be addressed before they are ready to exhibit at a future tracking test. Hopefully, they can work through the issue and be successful on their next try.

Happy Tracking!

The urban environment can be challenging when considering the best placement of articles on a Variable Surface Track. Judges must focus on both the regulation requirements and the physical surroundings when deciding where to drop articles.

Regulations:

● Articles should meet the criteria for material, size, and weight. The dog should be able to safely pick up all articles.

● Articles must be inconspicuous in color in comparison to the surrounding terrain.

● Judges should avoid using standardized articles and should place articles in varying random order.

● Tracklayers must prepare an extra start article (fabric or leather) and have it readily available in case the start article is fouled or missing.

● Articles may be weighted in place if necessary. Discuss this with the tracklayers in advance.

● Article 2 or 3 must be dropped on a non-vegetated surface.

● The final article may be on vegetation or a non-vegetated surface.

Reminders:

● The second article may be placed on the first leg when the leg is exceptionally long.

● Consider the safety of the dog by not placing a rigid plastic article where it could be run over by a car and shattered.

● Articles placed near trash receptacles and in front of doors are often placed in the bin.

● Avoid physical obstacles where the dog may be working on the wrong side of a hedge, landscaping wall, fencing or other impediments that may cause the dog to miss the article.

● Think about what happens to the scent close to buildings (push/pull effect caused by wind currents).

● Avoid placing articles on a raised area or sidewalk where the dog is likely to work the scent at the bottom of the slope, missing the article.

Happy Tracking!

The two judge format for the sport of Tracking provides the provisional status judge the opportunity to work with a more seasoned co-judge.  While these provisional assignments are wonderful learning opportunities for the newer judge, it is also important that the provisional judge be allowed to gain experience and confidence. It is imperative that the regular status judge encourage the provisional judge to take an active roll in all of the plotting and judging decisions.

During the process of applying to judge each level of tracking test, the applicant has proven that they have a good knowledge of the AKC Tracking Regulations, plotting procedures and judging guidelines.  The provisional assignments are the platform for the new judge to put that knowledge into practice. The provisional judge needs to gain skills and understand pitfalls before they are ready to request regular status and work with a new provisional themselves.

Even though it may be with the best of intentions, when the regular status judge provides pre-plotted tracks, gives all the tracklayer instructions, and so on, they are missing out on the ability to help the new judge hone their judging skills.  Your patience and gentle support are greatly appreciated.

Happy Tracking!