GARDENPATH STANDARD POODLES

2010-12-03T14:00:00.024-05:00

Tracking with Chase

2009-05-09T08:45:00.071-04:00

UPDATE: MAY 8, 2009 CHASE successfully completed his

URBAN TRACKING DOG EXCELLENT TEST
Chase is Canada's

1st ever TRACKING CHAMPION Poodle!

TD + TDX + UTD + UTDX = TCH (Tracking Champion)
We are extremely proud of Chase!
Chase is the 11th dog of any breed to become a CKC Tracking Champion.

My favourite venue to train and compete in with my dogs is tracking. Chase has successfully completed test passes for his Canadian Kennel Club TD (Tracking Dog), TDX (Tracking Dog Excellent), UTD (Urban Tracking Dog) and UTDX (Urban Tracking Dog Excellent) titles. A dog that has successfully passed all four test is bestowed the title Tracking Champion (TCH). The rule book states the purpose of tracking tests is to demonstrate the dog's willingness to work with its handler under a variety of conditions and to follow a defined track, to discriminate scent, to locate and indicate articles.

Dogs start by testing at the TD level. This is a prerequisite for entering a TDX or UTD test. Dogs must have their UTD before they are eligible to test for their UTDX. Rule books are available from CKC and AKC. I recommend all competitors, no matter what the venue is, obtain a current rule book. Read it cover to cover and be sure you understand the rules. Below is an overview of the CKC Tracking rules, please refer to a current rule book for the complete rules and regulations.

Chase completed his TD on October 14, 2007 at the Cross Country Tracking Club test. At the TD level the dog follows a track on vegetation (grass or hay fields are most often use for these test) where a person walked for 400 - 450 metres (1312 - 1476 feet), 30 minutes to 2 hours ahead of time making 3 to 5 left and right corners no sharper than right angles. They are required to indicate a leather article such as a glove, wallet or flat piece of leather at the end of the track to pass. It's up to the handler to decide how they wish to train their dog to indicate and will be asked by the judge before they begin the test what their dogs indication is. Chase's trained indication is to lie down at the article with it between his front legs and wait there. Other indications may be to sit, stand over or retrieve the article.

The TDX test requirements are for the track to be not less than 900 metres (2953 feet) and not more than 1000 metres (3281 feet). It will be aged from 3 - 5 hours and crossed in 2 places at well separated intervals by a more recent track by a different track layer. There are 5 - 8 turns and acute angles that should be no less than 45 degrees. Three leather articles are dropped for the dog to find. The primary track should be laid over varying vegetation and cross a road. The use of wooded areas is also permissible. Chase completed his TDX test on August 23, 2008 at the EPS Test held in Powassan, Ontario.

Urban tracking tests (UTD and UTDX) are held in areas such as office parks, industrial parks, campuses, schools etc. Approximately 1/3 of a UTD track and 1/3 to 1/2 of the UTDX track require non-vegetated surfaces such as gravel, dirt, sand, mulch, brick, concrete or asphalt. The dog must commit to following ONE SPECIFIC designated person in all of these tests. In urban environments enticing smells of other people, kids, food, other dogs, cats, squirrels, vehicular traffic and whatever else was anywhere on the path the track layer took before or after the track was put down has to be ignored after it's been analysed by the dogs nose. It's amazing to see a dog do that... just because I asked him to for me, because he's learned to follow one stranger that I specified to him. We start at a marked spot the person stood still at for 60 seconds (to clarify to the dog who they are to search for) and then track them hours later. Chase earned his UTD title on October 19, 2008 in Whitby at a new venue hosted by the Cross Country Tracking Club on his first attempt and also passed his UTDX on his first attempt. Chase's UTDX was run May 8, 2009 in an extremely busy venue after heavy downpours in the dark. He truly is dedicated to the job of finding the footsteps and all of the articles.

This may not be the most interesting information to read about when you've not done the work and don't know the dog, but trust me, this is beautiful and awe inspiring when you're at the end of the lead 10 metres (30 feet) behind your own dog and haven't a clue (I know in training, not in tests) where the person went, what they dropped or where the dog is leading. The trainer/handler has to learn to read their dog's body language to know when to follow and how to handle the dog by the signals they're telling us. This is a team sport, but the dog has to be the leader of this working team.

Chase's tracking style is footstep with a deep nose. It's the most efficient method for tracking in urban environments. He is a joy to train & loves to hear the words, "Go find it!"

Conformation

2009-01-01T12:20:00.024-05:00

Chase finishing his Championship at Wildwood going Winners Dog & Best of Opposite
from the senior puppy class at 10 months of age, on Friday, February 2, 2006.
Breeder Jane Arndt (Pannovia Reg. - retired) myself and handler Allison Foley.

The purpose of dog shows (conformation events) is to evaluate breeding stock. The dog's conformation (overall appearance and structure), an indication of the dog's ability to produce quality puppies, is judged. The Poodle Breed Standard is available from the Canadian Kennel Club. The Standard states that the origin and purpose of the breed is the "world's oldest water retriever, circus performer and truffle hunter. It's a versatile dog that can be all things to all people". The poodle is "a very active, gay, intelligent, smart and elegant-looking dog, squarely built, well proportioned carrying himself proudly. Properly clipped in the traditional fashion and carefully groomed, the Poodle has about him an air of distinction and dignity peculiar to himself." For temperament the standard states, "The Poodle is known for his intelligence, his lively, mischievous sense of humour, and his willingness to please. The Poodle is a people-oriented breed that refuses to be ignored." For details on size, coat quality, clip, coat and skin colour, structure, gait, major faults and disqualifications please refer to the complete Breed Standard.

Pedigree

2008-10-07T15:48:00.001-04:00

Chase's pedigree can also be found here on the Poodle Pedigree Database.
Chase is registered with both CKC & AKC.

Health Clearances

2008-10-06T22:05:00.004-04:00

Chase has been tested clear/normal for the following:

HIPS and ELBOWS/Normal/OVC Certificate No.: 0033486

vWD: Genotypically Clear ~ PO-VW721/76M-PI (von Willebrands Disease)

LINK to OFA for Chase's registered results

CHIC #55975

SEBACEOUS ADENITIS/Normal/Yager-Best Histovet Case #YB 174266-17278-2006

THYROID: OFA #PO-TH763/18M-PI normal

NE (Neonatal Encephalopathy w/Seizures ~ NEwS): Clear/OFA #PO-NES82/46M-PI

HEART Auscultation/Echocardiogram: Normal/No ASD ~ OFA #PO-CA462/42M/C-PI-ECHO (Cardiologist)

CERF #POS-6138/2011--73

COLOUR: DNA Analysis ~ VetGen Report #53711 BbEE ~ carries the black and brown genes, does not carry the cream-white-red-apricot gene

Height: 24-1/2 inches (62.2cm)
Weight: 53 pounds (24.5kg)

2008-10-05T14:59:00.002-04:00

Chase & Ryan

Poodles are herding dogs too

2008-10-04T19:45:00.003-04:00

Chase earning his 2nd Herding Instinct Certificate

Most people know that poodles are outstanding retrivers. They excel in competitive obedience and since the 1980's the Canadian Kennel Club has allowed poodles complete in the Working Certificate tests. The word Poodle comes from the German word Puddeln which means to splash about in water. Our breed is one of the original water retrievers. The CKC states in their rule book that the purpose of the WC test is to have retrievers become more proficient as hunting partners. They are tested by retrieving ducks and sometimes pigeons on land and water.

What a lot of people don't know is that poodles are descended from herding dogs. You can read more about this here in the Poodle History Project by Emily Cain. Many poodles have retained their natural herding instincts. They were originally an all-around, multi-purpose farmer's dog. From the beginning poodles were bred to be very versatile dogs.

The HIC evaluation (Herding Instinct Certification) tests to see if the dog has natural instinct to herd livestock. Dogs may be tested on a variety of stock such as sheep, goats, calves, ducks or geese. Chase was tested on sheep at Herding Instinct tests held by the Poodle Club of Canada. To see one of the original water retrievers with natural herding instincts is wonderful.

Chase and his sheep

Chase's Herding Instinct Evaluation stated his Stock Evaluation was cooperative and controllable. Herding Style: Gathering. Approach: runs moderately wide. Eye: loose. Wearing: shows wearing. Bark: works silently. Temperament: readily adjusts. Interest: sustained interest. Power: sufficient power for stock. Responsiveness: responds to guidance/control. Grouping of Stock: keeps stock grouped/regroups. Balancing of Stock with Handler: adjusts position. Comments: Great Job! Good sense of balance + responded well to guidance. (Aug.15-07). Learn more about herding dogs here and here.