Edmonton Tracking Test results
Pictures added! See below...
I had the pleasure of attending a test today in Edmonton put on by the Competitive Service Dog Club of Alberta, with Erich Kunzel as judge. What a great group of hard working trackers! Unbelievable food laid out the whole time on top of putting on a big test.
It was hot and dry with no wind and this had an impact on many dogs today. Even at the first track at 7:45 AM the grass was crunching underfoot. There has been a fire ban here and numerous dangerous grass fires causing evacuations, so that gives you apicture of the conditions.
I have never seen a Greyhound track - I understand there is one other Greyhound with a TD - "Rosie" of Sudbury - and a couple others working on it! Awesome job.
New TD - 3 year old Golden Retriever male Goldcker 1drdogs Next Pushover RNAGN JH WC handled by owner Kathy Miner of Calgary AB. This boy had the last track of the day at 12:45 and he literally tore up the track to the glove. Nice job! By the way the dog's kennel name 1drdogs is also on her licenceplate - I asked and it means "wonder dogs" - neat!
New TDX - 5 year old Golden Retriever female 'MOTCH Wynwood's Come Dancewith Me WC, JH, TD, SHDX, RE, CGN' handled by owner Linda Zacowski of Sherwood Park AB. This was another Golden who tore up the track and was deadon at a steady pace from start to finish. Her article indication is to roll on the articles and kick her paws in the air. I think I may have captured a photo of this. Dancer loves tracking!
Her field was a beautiful location with Lac Ste. Anne in the background, as the test is held near Alberta Beachand Wabumin Provincial Park west of Edmonton (on the way to Jasper). Lovelyrolling hills and woods.
All of the other dogs entered had little glitches like crosstracks, turnsthe wrong way, and few just quit working in the heat. The heartbreak of theday was a 14 year old Weimerainer male who did a fantastic job on a TDX butwho ran out of steam on the last leg, literally 30 meters from the lastglove. We wanted him to pass so badly but after giving him time to get backto work, his own handler/breeder decided he had worked hard enough and theheat was not worth the effort.
Everyone CHEERED for this team and I figure at 14, he is an honourary TDX dog today. Boy, old dogs and tracking - chokeme up every time. This boy was also dead on with tiny loops at the corners. He is also incredibly titled and in great shape! And, he loved the attentionafter his track and he deserved it.
This was my first apprentice judging assignment. I was very grateful for the hospitality and to Erich for being such a nice man, as always. I have to say- judging is HARD work! And there were times Erich was outpacing me! And he has been judging for 30 years. It is a great perspective to be out on thefield - love the view.
I had the pleasure of attending a test today in Edmonton put on by the Competitive Service Dog Club of Alberta, with Erich Kunzel as judge. What a great group of hard working trackers! Unbelievable food laid out the whole time on top of putting on a big test.It was hot and dry with no wind and this had an impact on many dogs today. Even at the first track at 7:45 AM the grass was crunching underfoot. There has been a fire ban here and numerous dangerous grass fires causing evacuations, so that gives you apicture of the conditions.
This link shows you what a grassfire can look like. This was a few weeks ago, but today we saw smoke on the horizon shortly before we heard the sirens in the afternoon - http://mynews.ctv.ca/mediadetail/1108813?collection=588&q=+&offset=2&siteT=edmonton
Despite this, the dogs and handlers did great andmany got further than you would expect. Today TDXs ran first, tomorrow's test will see TDs run first (yes, that means the tracklayers were out at 4:30 in the morning).
There were some passes too! Two new TDs and one new TDX...
New TD - and on his 8th birthday - male GREYHOUND 'Windwood Distant Orion FCH' handled by very proud owner Vicki Averill of Maple Ridge BC. He had track 2 at about 10:50 AM. This dark grey boy was dead on track from start to finish. She had a loose line and he was entirely self-motivated. What a joy to watch him - the heat didn't seem to bother him while on track (it was a good day to be a Greyhound). Erich Kunzel commented on the great job this team did.
Despite this, the dogs and handlers did great andmany got further than you would expect. Today TDXs ran first, tomorrow's test will see TDs run first (yes, that means the tracklayers were out at 4:30 in the morning).
There were some passes too! Two new TDs and one new TDX...
New TD - and on his 8th birthday - male GREYHOUND 'Windwood Distant Orion FCH' handled by very proud owner Vicki Averill of Maple Ridge BC. He had track 2 at about 10:50 AM. This dark grey boy was dead on track from start to finish. She had a loose line and he was entirely self-motivated. What a joy to watch him - the heat didn't seem to bother him while on track (it was a good day to be a Greyhound). Erich Kunzel commented on the great job this team did.
I have never seen a Greyhound track - I understand there is one other Greyhound with a TD - "Rosie" of Sudbury - and a couple others working on it! Awesome job. New TD - 3 year old Golden Retriever male Goldcker 1drdogs Next Pushover RNAGN JH WC handled by owner Kathy Miner of Calgary AB. This boy had the last track of the day at 12:45 and he literally tore up the track to the glove. Nice job! By the way the dog's kennel name 1drdogs is also on her licenceplate - I asked and it means "wonder dogs" - neat!
New TDX - 5 year old Golden Retriever female 'MOTCH Wynwood's Come Dancewith Me WC, JH, TD, SHDX, RE, CGN' handled by owner Linda Zacowski of Sherwood Park AB. This was another Golden who tore up the track and was deadon at a steady pace from start to finish. Her article indication is to roll on the articles and kick her paws in the air. I think I may have captured a photo of this. Dancer loves tracking!Her field was a beautiful location with Lac Ste. Anne in the background, as the test is held near Alberta Beachand Wabumin Provincial Park west of Edmonton (on the way to Jasper). Lovelyrolling hills and woods.
All of the other dogs entered had little glitches like crosstracks, turnsthe wrong way, and few just quit working in the heat. The heartbreak of theday was a 14 year old Weimerainer male who did a fantastic job on a TDX butwho ran out of steam on the last leg, literally 30 meters from the lastglove. We wanted him to pass so badly but after giving him time to get backto work, his own handler/breeder decided he had worked hard enough and theheat was not worth the effort.
Everyone CHEERED for this team and I figure at 14, he is an honourary TDX dog today. Boy, old dogs and tracking - chokeme up every time. This boy was also dead on with tiny loops at the corners. He is also incredibly titled and in great shape! And, he loved the attentionafter his track and he deserved it.
This was my first apprentice judging assignment. I was very grateful for the hospitality and to Erich for being such a nice man, as always. I have to say- judging is HARD work! And there were times Erich was outpacing me! And he has been judging for 30 years. It is a great perspective to be out on thefield - love the view.
Here is my River TDX UTD posed in front of the tracking camp and headquarters for the test. River thought she was going to be IN a test, but she enjoyed the big party after, complete with treats!
Can't wait to hear about the test in Thunder Bay...two days of field and urban...
Can't wait to hear about the test in Thunder Bay...two days of field and urban...
Category Article tracking test results
