Artificial earth dog trials.
Dachshunds and smaller terriers were bred to bolt (chase the animal out of its earth, tunnel, lair or den) or face fox, badger or otter. These dogs were also used for vermin control such as rats.
Earth dog Den Trials are a simulated hunting situation usually held in a field in which the dachshund/terrier tracks the game by scent to the constructed game's earth (lair, burrow, tunnel), enters the animal's tunnel and then works (barking, engaging etc.) the animal until the vermin either bolts (flees) from the earth or until the owner digs down to the den in a real hunting situation. The simulated earths are trenches dug and liners inserted of which are usually constructed of wood. The trench or path is scented with i.e. rat scent. A caged rat serves as the simulated quarry at the end of the trench where the dog can see and smell but not physically touch or harm the rat.
The test is non-competitive; either a pass or a fail. However it is a very exciting event and one of camaraderie and enthusiasm..
In the UK, artificial earths are generally constructed of two parallel rows of brick stacked three bricks high and topped by overlapping slates, or out of 9-inch clay or concrete drainage pipe laid end-to-end. The result is a very spacious and dry fox earth.
The go-to-ground tunnels devised by Patricia Adams Lent were constructed of wood instead of stone, brick or clay pipe, but were equally commodious, measuring 9 inches on each side, with a bare dirt floor for drainage and traction. As the picture shows below.
The goal is not to replicate actual hunting, but to give people an opportunity to have a little fun with the dogs, and perhaps give Kennel Club terrier owners some small idea of what a terrier’s "prey drive" was supposed to be about.
In trials, wooden den "liners" are sunk into a trench in the ground. The tunnels are up to 30 feet long with a series of right-angle turns, false dens and exits. The "quarry" at the end of the tunnel is a pair of lab rats safely protected behind wooden bars and wire mesh. The rats are not only not harmed, but after 100 years of breeding for docility, some lab rats have been know to go to sleep in the middle of a trial!
Owners of dogs that do well in go-to-ground trials should take pride in their dog’s achievements. Like all sports that emulate real work (lumber jack contests, bird dog trials, sheep dog trials), a go-to-ground trial is both harder and easier than its real-world cousin.
