PREPARING THE EARTHS FOR THE TRIAL

The location of both the Novice and Open/Certificate judging areas should be selected to reasonably minimize distractions. Two separate earths with the entrances at least 40-feet apart will be prepared before the trial. One earth will be for the Novice Classes and one for the Open and Certificate Classes. Earths are to be dug in the actual ground. Once prepared every precaution should be taken to keep all dogs away from the earths. No pre-trial practice is to take place at the trial site.

On the morning of the trial the Den Steward will scent the earths, with the Chairman and Judge observing. Alternatively the judge may elect to do the scenting of the earths. One scenting procedure is to lightly soak a small cloth rag with rat scent and drag it through the tunnels so it touches the ground from the entrance to the end. Care must be taken to keep scent from being applied to any other place outside or around the tunnels. The use of alternate scenting procedures (such as using a squirt or spray bottle) is up to the discretion of the Judge.Liners (construction diagrams are provided in the appendix section) are built to fit a nine-inch by nine-inch (inside dimension)square tunnel.The Novice earth when fully constructed will be approximately ten feet long with one right angle (90 degree) turn. No deviation will be allowed.The Open and Certificate earth when fully constructed will be approximately thirty feet long with three right angle (90 degree) turns. No deviation will be allowed. The certificate class earth may include additional challenges such as simple obstacles, blind tunnels, and false entrances.At the end of each earth an area is prepared to hold the caged quarry. Across the end of the liner facing the quarry insert 1/4 or 3/8 inch diameter smooth iron rods, approximately one inch apart. The iron rods can be inserted vertically or horizontally.Alternatively three or four evenly spaced one-inch diameter vertical wooden dowels may be used. When wooden dowels are used the liner must be constructed in such a way that damaged dowels can be easily removed and replaced during the course of the trial. The rods or dowels are mandatory. No trial can proceed without them.The tops of the liners must not be visible after being placed into the tunnel and covered with dirt. The earth should look as natural as is possible. The entrance should not be too heavily covered with brush or other materials, which might deter the dog from entering. The entrance should be inviting to the dog. It is also recommended that the judge and anyone assisting them within the den area be camouflaged or hidden.The quarry will be placed into the den just before the judging begins. A solid box around the cage, open only to the bars at the end of the liner, will help prevent dogs from picking up the scent of the quarry. The den area over the caged quarry must be covered.The judging area will be roped off from spectators and should be sufficiently large to insure that no part of the earth is less than 20 feet from the perimeter of the roped area.

Holding Area: A designated area at least 100 feet from the perimeter of the judging area will be provided for contestants to stay with their dogs while waiting to be called into the judging area.