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FH 3 Rules
DATE 1 /15/ 03
(FAEHRTENHUND 3)
1. General:
It is pointed out that Tracking Dog Level 3 (FH 3) represents a type of test,
which is essentially to be undertaken by sport (civilian) dogs. Special claims
(pretenses) which might arise out of the realm of service dog achievements are
not to be made.
It is mandatory that the track laying for this test be performed by
responsible persons who have undergone a special training (schooling) in the
field equal that required for the FH 2.
As a rule, if the trial judge for this type of test is unable to accompany the
tracklayer, tracking-diagrams must be drawn by the tracklayer. The judge must
also make sure that the crosstracks are laid according to the rules 1/2 hour
before the start-time.
2. Entry Requirements:
It is prerequisite to the taking of this test, that the dog be at least 20
months old and has earned an FH 2 title. Also eligible to enter the FH 3 test
are dogs which, prior to their earning the FH 2 title, did not have a SchH I
title but instead had passed a BH test. In this case, an FH 3 title earned will
not constitute a "training title" that meets the requirements of any
breeding, showing or Körung (breed-survey)
regulations of a breed-club.
3. Performance in the Tracking Work:
Maximum score: 100 points (Voice command: "Such"/"Seek or
Track")
Working of the track = 80 pts
10 articles (10 x 2), = 20 pts
The dog must demonstrate his track-sureness on a stranger's track that is at
least one and one half hours old and at least 3000 paces long, with twelve
angles ("corners") that conform to the terrain. At least four of the
angles must be acute and one must be an arc (segment of a circle). The track
will be crossed at least three times by a fresher stranger-laid track, at
varying points separate from each other.
Along the track, at irregular distances, will be placed ten articles that have
been well scented by the tracklayer. The article measurements (maximum) will be:
10 cm. (4") long by 3 cm (1.2") wide by 1 cm. (0.4") thick. So
called "search-packets" are not permitted. The articles are to be
found by the dog and either indicated or picked up.
Before the start of the track, the handler must report to the judge
whether the dog picks up or indicates articles. Doing both together
(picking up and indicating), or doing both on the same track, is faulty.
The handler may, at his/her option, track the dog free or on a tracking line.
The tracking line may hang loose, so long as the handler does not let it out of
his/her hand.
4. Laying of the Track:
The tracklayer, who is a stranger to the dog, must prepare a terrain-sketch for
the judge. The course of the track is to be planned in advance with the judge or
with the appointed tracking chairperson, utilizing natural landmarks such as
lone-standing trees, power poles,
sheds/cottages/outbuildings, etc.
Before laying the track, the tracklayer will show the required tracking
articles to the judge/tracking chairperson. The tracklayer must have
carried the articles on his person for at least 30 minutes, in order to scent
them well. The articles may not exceed the above-stated dimensions, and they
must not differ markedly in their color from the surrounding terrain. The start
of the track is located within a surface area of 20 x 20 meters, in which only
the tracklayer has entered. Entry into this area by any third party is to be
prevented. The tracklayer will place in the ground, 20 paces apart, two
marking-stakes, between which is the "starting-line." From either the
starting line or from one of the two stakes, the tracklayer goes out and lays
down an "identification article." This article marks the true start of
the
track. The "identification article" is of a similar size and
composition as the other articles on the track, but it is not counted in the
scoring.
Once the tracklayer has laid down the "identification article," he
must remain standing on that spot for a brief period of time. The track will
then be laid at a normal pace.
The articles are to be laid on the track at irregular distances. The first
article must be placed at least 250 paces from the starting-point. The tenth
(last) article is laid at the end of the track. Articles must not be laid at
corners (angles) or in the immediate vicinity thereof. They must not be laid
next to the track, but actually on the track. The tracklayer
will indicate on his track-diagram, by placing "X" marks, all of the
places where he has laid the articles. Careful attention is to be given to
ensure that the track is laid over changing terrain. It must be laid so as to
simulate a real situation; therefore any "pre-drawn map or pattern" is
to be avoided.
Thirty minutes before the start-time, a second tracklayer (also a stranger to
the dog), by arrangement with and under direction from the primary tracklayer,
will receive the instruction to lay a cross-track that will intersect the
primary track at least three times.
5. Working of the Track:
The "start-line" marked by the tracklayer will be made known to the
handler by the judge. But the "start-line" itself does not necessarily
establish the direction of the first leg of the track. From the location of the
"identification article," the track may proceed straight ahead, right,
left or even at an angle. Notice should be taken of the fact that the first leg
of the track may not cross the "start-line."
For the searching-out of the "identification article," the handler is
free to handle the dog either off lead or on the tracking line. The time
allotted for the dog to locate the "identification article" (equals
the start-point), determine the direction of the track, and begin working out
the track is limited to three minutes. The handler is free to choose the point
on the "start-line" at which he will start the dog searching for the
"identification article."
The handler may not cross over the "starting-line" until the 10-meter
tracking line has run out (or the free-working dog has reached a distance of 10
meters away from the handler). The handler may encourage the dog, during the
search for the "identification article," by
means of voice and/or hand signals.
If the dog comes onto the track beyond the "identification article"
and takes up the tracking-work confidently, the handler must follow the dog. In
this case, the tracking work must continue on in the same way the dog began
(free or on the tracking line). If the dog finds the "identification
article," the handler goes immediately to him and starts him on the working
out of the track. He may first, if necessary, attach a tracking line to the
collar or harness.
The dog should be allowed to take up the scent thoroughly at the starting-point.
He should be so trained that with no influence from the handler he will calmly
and extensively take the scent at the starting-point. Under no circumstances may
the handler, with his hand, arouse in the dog the urge to charge ahead forwards.
No restarting is permitted. As soon as the dog begins to track, the handler must
stand still and let the 10-meter tracking line glide through his hands. The
tracking line, attached either to the collar or to a harness, may be placed over
the dog's back, along the dog's side, or between the dog's front and/or hind
legs.
The track should be worked out calmly, so that the handler can follow at a
normal pace. The handler follows at about a 10-meter distance, which must also
be maintained if the dog is tracking free. When the dog comes upon an article,
he must immediately pick it up or indicate it convincingly. When picking it up
the dog may stand still, sit or come to the handler. If he comes to the handler,
the handler may not advance toward him. Proceeding forward with the picked up
article is faulty. Indicating may be done sitting, lying down, standing, or
alternating among those positions.
The handler must go to the dog immediately and take the article after raising it
in the air to show the judge. The handler praises the dog and immediately lets
him continue tracking. If the dog, while on the track, comes upon an article
that was not placed by the tracklayer,
he may neither pick it up nor indicate it. If the dog changes over from the
primary track onto the cross-track and follows it for more than one line-length,
the tracking-work must be terminated.
The judge is permitted to give the handler some positional help whenever the
terrain imposes extreme difficulties which the dog cannot overcome (for example
large waterholes or deep gullies/trenches, etc.). No points are deducted for
this. The handler is allowed, after consultation with the judge, to interrupt
the tracking-work briefly if he believes that he or his dog needs a short pause,
on grounds of physical (health) status or weather conditions (i.e., extreme
heat). Here also there is no point deduction. The restarting of the dog on the
track will not be scored as a "restart" under the meaning
prescribed as faulty in the Trial Rulebook. The time taken for such permitted
pauses, however, is counted in the total time available to the handler and dog
for working out the track.
The handler is allowed, during a "pause" or at an article, to clean up
the dog's head, eyes and nose. For this purpose, he may carry with him during
the tracking-work a wet cloth or sponge. These items are to be shown to the
judge before the start of the tracking-work. Further aids are not permitted.
Any physical help (i.e., jerking on the line) or meaningful verbal help
(additional commands to track) are to be refrained from by the handler. If any
such help is given, it could lead to termination of the tracking work.
Scoring:
The maximum 100 points can only be given when a dog works out his track from
beginning to end, at a walking pace throughout, and picks up or indicates all
ten articles. All the angles ("corners") must be worked out
confidently. The dog may not let himself be influenced by the cross tracks.
Among the ten articles, every one not found will cost 2 points. Picking up and
indicating (in combination) is faulty. For a falsely picked up or indicated
article, 1 points will be deducted.
For picking up or indicating any objects not placed there by the tracklayer, 1
points will be deducted. If the handler prevents the dog from leaving the track,
the judge will instruct the handler to follow the dog. The tracking-work is
terminated if the dog leaves the track by
more than one line-length (or by more than 10 meters if free-racking), or if the
handler ignores the judge's instruction to follow the dog.
6. Awarding of the Title "Tracking Dog Level 2" (FH 3):
The training title (degree) FH 2 may only be awarded if the dog attains at least
70 points.
Ratings are as follows:
0 - 35 points Insufficient ("U")
36 - 69 points Faulty ("M")
70 - 79 points Satisfactory ("B")
80 - 89 points Good ("G")
90 - 95 points Very Good ("SG")
96 - 100 points Excellent ("V")
E: TRACKING DOG - LEVEL 3 (FH 3):
1. General
The rules for the FH 3 are the same as for the FH 2 with the following
exceptions:
(1) For a dog to be eligible to enter the FH 3 tracking trial and earn the
title, the dog
must have earned a FH 2 title and have a BH.
(2) The track shall be a minimum of 3000 paces
(3) The track shall be aged 1 1/2 hours.
(4) 12 corners (4 must be acute corners)
(5) 3 cross tracks
(6) 10 articles, each article 2 points. (10 x 2 = 20 points)
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