Category: News

AKC clubs holding tracking tests must provide judge’s book chart forms to judges who use them to create official drawings of each track plotted for the test. On test day, the judges add the dog’s information, weather, and performance outcome to the charts. After the event is finished, the event secretary sends copies of each judge’s book to the AKC for the test results to be processed. Both judges must complete separate judge’s books.

Traditionally, chart images are printed on a 4 part NCR (carbonless) form that are separated, and then provided to AKC, club, judge and exhibitor. These forms are still acceptable.

An additional option for clubs now is to supply judge’s book charts as single page copies of the chart form, which the test secretary can then provide to AKC, club, judges and exhibitors electronically. The original judge’s copy should be digitally photocopied at the completion of the test using high resolution phone images and shared with the exhibitors immediately by text or email. These digital images can also be submitted to AKC as part of the Tracking Test Secretary’s Report which is due within 7 days of the event. All required post-test documentation should be submitted to AKC in a single email (performanceresults@akc.org). Clubs do not have to mail paper copy AKC report documents in addition to the electronic submission unless requested by AKC.

Both judges and the club must keep copies (paper or digital) of the completed judge’s books for a minimum of 6 months.

Tracking judge’s book forms are available on the AKC website: https://images.akc.org/pdf/RU9999.pdf

Happy Tracking!

The new  AKC Code of Sportsmanship and Civility was approved at the August AKC Board meeting and is available on the website.

Happy Tracking!

Hello Tracking Judges!

The 2025 Judges Directory is scheduled for production in October 2025. Please take the time to review your current contact information https://www.apps.akc.org/apps/judges_directory/ 

If any changes are necessary, please email tracking@akc.org by October 1, 2025.

Thanks,

The Companion Events Team

UPDATE: The AKC Board adopted a policy that the Stewards of Children online training class is only required one time (not once every three years).

Thank you,

The Companion Events Team

Reminder – Required information in Premium Lists and Judging Programs

As part of AKC ‘s commitment in creating a safe and respectful sports environment for all, the AKC Board of Directors adopted a policy requiring all premium lists and judging schedules to include contact information for the Darkness to Light’s Abuse Hotline. Below is the suggested verbiage for inclusion in the general information area in all premium lists and judging programs.

The AKC is committed to creating a safe and respectful sport environment for all. If you need to talk to someone, or need help, please call 800. 656.HOPE (National Sexual Assault Hotline) or text HOME to 741-741 for free, 24/7, confidential services from trained crisis counselors.

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Reminder- Sheila Goffe is now the AKC Executive Secretary and should be listed with the AKC Certification on all Premium Lists and Catalogs.

Happy Tracking!

The AKC Tracking Regulations state that at least one of the judges must be present to observe the draw for running order at all tracking tests. Judges are the “officials” for events and must be familiar with the rules pertaining to the draw to ensure that proper procedures are followed.

The test secretary (or another event committee member if the secretary is entered) will assemble the participants at the draw time published in the judging program. Any dog absent from the site at the scheduled time of the drawing will be marked “Absent” by the judges if an alternate is present to draw. That alternate would then draw in catalog order. If no alternate is present, the judges will instruct the test secretary to draw for the absent dog. The dog will be marked “Absent” by the judges if the dog is not present in time for the running of its assigned track.

Exhibitors should be asked if they have a conflict with any of the tracklayers which include:

1. The tracklayer has boarded, laid a track for, or regularly trained the dogs whose tracks they are to lay within the last 10 days.
2. The tracklayer has resided with the dog, is a member of the household or a member of the immediate family of the dog’s handler.

Judges will modify the draw to meet the requirements for tracklayer conflicts.

Exhibitors should be asked if they have a conflict with either of the judges which include:

1. Exhibitors may not exhibit to a judge who resides in the same household, and dogs entered must not be owned or co-owned by the judge or members of the judge’s household.
2. No exhibitor may show a dog under a judge if the exhibitor has participated in a training session taught by the judge within 10 days of the date of the event.

Exhibitors should be asked if their bitch is in season. Bitches in season may be allowed to participate if:

1. The premium list specifically states that “bitches in season may participate.”
2. The test secretary and judges have been notified that a bitch is in season prior to the drawing for tracks.

Bitches in season will be assigned the last (regular, not alternate) track. If there are multiple bitches in season, a draw for the last tracks will be held.

The secretary will conduct a random draw to assign running order for each participant. The entrants should be called by catalog number and presented with identical draw items that have a hidden number attached. If the draw items are not identical, the judges should instruct the secretary to place them in a bag or box so that the draw is blind.

After the draw, the order may not be exchanged, except under unusual circumstances and only with the judge’s approval. Any such exchanges must be fully reported in the Judge’s Books.

Happy Tracking!

Tracking Judges:

This post is to remind you that per AKC Board Policy, all judges are required to complete the Stewards of Children® course from Darkness to Light every three years. Failure to complete the course will block your approval on future judging panels. To avoid any interruption and undue hardship on clubs who may hire you, please be sure to complete the course prior to November 30, 2024.

To complete the course please visit Darkness to Light using the link:

https://d2l.csod.com/selfreg/register.aspx?c=akc&sc_src=email_1330808&sc_lid=80605157&sc_uid=4iiXAK6DCV&sc_llid=1364&sc_eh=9003bc3ea9a2806d1

If you have questions, please contact judgecompliance@akc.org.

Thank you.

Plotting cross-tracks for regulation TDX tracks takes careful planning. The AKC Tracking Regulations include a detailed list of cross-track rules in Chapter 4, Section 4 and are worth re-reading from time to time.

Here are a few common mistakes when plotting cross-tracks.

● Failure to allow enough yardage to get the cross-trackers out of the field without coming within fifty yards of any other part of the track.

● Forgetting to consider the exit path of the cross-trackers. Again, we must be aware of keeping the rest of the track fifty yards away from the cross-tracks.

● Not ensuring that the cross-tracks are always at least fifty yards in length before and another fifty yards after they cross the primary track. Instructions to cross-trackers should include going straight into, through or over any physical or scenting obstacle. The cross-track should be “obstacle free” for thirty yards before and after they cross the primary.

It is best to plan your cross-tracks, including their entrance and exit, before you enter the field.

Happy Tracking!

Hello Judges,

Later this week you will be receiving an email about completing the Stewards of Children ® training. The email will include information about how to register for the course. An email address will also be included should you have any questions.

As always, we appreciate your dedication to our sports!

Sincerely,

The Companion Events Department

Dear AKC Judge,

This communication is to inform you of action taken by the AKC Board of Directors at its April 2024 meeting.

As an additional step in creating a safe and respectful sport environment for all, the AKC Board of Directors approved the following educational requirements policy and recommendations. Effective immediately:

* AKC Board of Directors, Inspectors, Field Staff across all sports, AKC Registered Handlers, and additional AKC Staff that regularly attend events, will be required to successfully complete the Stewards of Children® training from the non-profit organization Darkness to Light once every three years.

* All current and future Junior Showmanship judges will be required to successfully complete the Stewards of Children® training. The initial course will be offered by AKC on a complimentary basis and must be refreshed every three (3) years. All current Junior Showmanship judges must fulfill this requirement in 2024.

* All current and future Club Junior Coordinators will be required to successfully complete the Stewards of Children® training. The initial course will be offered by AKC on a complimentary basis and must be refreshed every three (3) years.

* Junior participants and their parents will be recommended to take the following complimentary courses as applicable from SafeSport:

* SafeSport® for Youth Athletes (ages 13-17)

* SafeSport® for Kids (5-12)

* SafeSport® Parent’s Guide to Misconduct in Sports Core.

* All Superintendents, AKC approved Show Secretaries, and AKC approved Agility Trial Secretaries will be strongly advised to take the Stewards of Children® course.

* All current and future Judges across all sports are required to complete the Stewards of Children® training. The initial training will be provided on a complimentary basis by AKC. This requirement will be phased in.

Additional details will be communicated by the AKC to those impacted by this policy concerning fulfillment of this requirement.

Questions concerning this notice should be directed to the department which manages the sport one is approved to judge: tracking@akc.org.

Thank you,
The Companion Events Department Team