Tracking Title Tracks

What are the different tracks in a tracking trial.

I have included the full detail of each of the tracks primarily because the tracks have changed for 2009.  A full copy of the rules can be obtained from the download links below:

Tracking Dog (T.D.)

Test 1 (Known Person)

• The dog will follow a trail for approximately 400 metres, and the exhibitor shall nominate the Tracklayer.
• The Track will have two changes of direction of approximately between 30 to 90 degrees, the first change of direction to be not less than 100 metres after the start.
• One article will be placed on the Track, as nominated by the Judge; this article does not have to be indicated to gain a Pass.
• The minimum time for the commencement of the track must be 20 minutes and the maximum 40 minutes, from the time the Track is laid.
• The Tracklayer or final article must be found at the end of the Track for the dog to obtain a Pass.

Test 2 (Known Person)

• The dog will follow a trail for approximately 800 metres, and the exhibitor shall nominate the Tracklayer.
• The Track will have a minimum of 2 changes of direction of approximately between 30 degrees and 90 degrees, and two articles must be placed on the Track.
• The minimum time for the commencement of the Track must be 30 minutes and the maximum 60 minutes, from the time the Track is laid.
• At least one article must be indicated by the dog to obtain a Pass
• The Tracklayer or Finish Article of the known person must be found at the end of the Track for a dog to obtain a pass.

Test 3 (Unknown person)

• The dog will follow a trail for approximately 800 metres.
• The Tracklayer will be unknown to the dog.
• The Track will have a minimum of 2 changes of direction of approximately between 30 degrees and 90 degrees, and two articles must be placed on the Track.
• Time lapse for Track must be the same as Test 2.
• At least one article must be indicated by the dog to obtain a Pass.
• The Tracklayer or Finish Article must be found at the end of the Track for a dog to obtain a pass.

TRACKING DOG EXCELLENT (T.D.X.)

Test 4 (Unknown person)

• The dog is required to track an unknown person over a trail of approximately 1,000 metres.
• The Track will have a minimum of 4 changes of direction of approximately between 30 degrees and 90 degrees and three articles must be placed on the Track.
• The minimum time lapse for the commencement of this Track must be 60 minutes and the maximum 120 minutes, from the time the Track is laid.
• At least one article must be indicated by the dog to obtain a Pass.
• The Tracklayer or Finish Article must be found at the end of the Track for a dog to obtain a pass.

Test 5 (Unknown Person)

• This will be similar to Test No. 4 except that the Track must be crossed once by a known person.
• The Cross Track should be laid approximately 30 minutes after the original Tracklayer has passed.
• At least two articles must be indicated by the dog to obtain a Pass.

Test 6 (Unknown Person)

• The dog is required to track an unknown person over a trail of approximately 1,200 metres.
• The Track will have a minimum of 5 changes of directions: one of these must be greater than 90 degrees but not more than 135 degrees the other changes of directions will be approximately between 30 degrees and 90 degrees.
• The first change of direction will be between 30 degrees and 90 degrees and three articles must be placed on the Track.
• The Track shall be crossed twice by Cross Tracks and one or two unknown persons may lay these.
• The Cross Tracks must be laid approximately 30 minutes after the original Tracklayer has passed.
• The minimum time lapse for the commencement of the Track must be 60 minutes and the maximum 180 minutes, from the time the Track was laid.
• At least two articles must be indicated by the dog to obtain a Pass.
• The Tracklayer or Finish Article must be found at the end of the Track for the dog to obtain a pass.

Tracking Champion (T. Ch.)

Test 7 (Unknown Person)

• The dog is required to track an unknown person and find lost articles over a trail of approximately 1,200 metres.
• The Track will have a minimum of six changes of direction; two of these must be greater than 90 degrees but not more than 135 degrees, the first change of direction to be no less than 100 metres from the start. Three articles must be placed on the Track; two articles must be indicated by the dog to obtain a pass
• The start must be a minimum of 30 metres from roads, fences, rivers or other permanent barriers. There will be a small marking flag where the Tracklayer will start from to enable them to line up with the next flag on the Track. The Tracklayer will take this marker flag with them. The starting line flags will remain.
• At least 30 metres before the starting line the Tracklayer will place one of their scented articles in a clean sealable bag and hand it to the Judge or his nominee, or the sealed bag with the first article may be placed in the vicinity where the Judge gives instructions to the Tracklayer.
• The Judge will, when the track has aged sufficiently, take the Handler and dog to approximately 30 metres from the starting line, hand or indicate the unopened bag to the Handler and inform him that he is free to start tracking.
• There will be two Cross Tracks that may be laid by one or two unknown persons. Cross tracks will be laid according to the Judge’s direction.
• The Cross Tracks must be laid approximately 30 minutes after the original Tracklayer has passed.
• The minimum time lapse for the commencement of the Track must be 90 minutes and the maximum 180 minutes, from the time the original Tracklayer crosses the starting line.
• The Tracklayer or Finish Article must be found at the end of the Track for a dog to obtain a pass.