BullishMagazine September/October 2024

BullishMagazine

EDITOR

Theo Koekemoer

ONLINE MAGAZINE

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From the Editor

I trust you will enjoy this issue of BullishMagazine.

What is our shows about? I think Richard Morrissey summarised it well when he gave a review after he judged one of our October shows. "Thank you so much to everyone who entered

The entries featured so many beautiful dogs, making the competition in each class both challenging and even more enjoyable

More than once, I found myself thinking, “I wish I owned that dog .” It is such a pleasure to now realise that entries are from so many different countries, which is what makes the French Bulldog Magazines online shows so special. It’s not only fun but also a wonderful way to connect fellow Frenchie enthusiasts from around the world

A big thank you to Theo Koekemoer for organising these events, and best of luck with the upcoming show with Toni Saira

Once again, thank you for your entry, each one was greatly appreciated." The same applies to bulldogs.

This issue is about performance bulldogs and a big thank you to Salina Chan, April Paulman, Kelly Rosson, Terri Gossett for your amazing support!

THEO

Tracking Dogs by Salina Chan (Australia)

Yes Bulldogs can. Tracking and Track & Search Trials allow the dogs natural instincts to shine. To get started one has to get your Bulldog to be really keen on finding articles. We prefer to use about six large work socks of natural fibres like wool or wool blend. The clean socks need to be placed against the Track Layers skin (tucked under a shirt) for at least an hour to scent them. Once scented place one at the start point and space the others about two metres apart in a straight line.

You will need to use a Harness which doesn’t restrict breathing or movement and using a 10 metre lead (for Tracking) or a 5 metre lead (for Track & Search) approach the start point with scented article (sock) allowing your dog to get a good scent and then ideally your Bulldog will move onto the next article and when they indicate on the article reward heavily with treats such as pieces of dried liver or kibble on the article then repeat until the last sock which should payout big.

Once your Bulldog catches on you can vary the course by putting a curve into it then later slowly increase the distance between socks. At an actual trial the Track Layer leaves a start article at the start flag and then follows the map supplied by the Trial Judge placing other articles at designated points along the track before going to the end of the Track waiting to be found

Tracking Dogs by Salina Chan (Continued)

(Australia)

Tracking Grand Champion and Track & Search Champion are the highest tracking titles available in Australia. Tracking Trials have 4 levels. Tracks 1-3 for Tracking Dog (TD), Tracks 4-6 for Tracking Dog Excellent (TDX), Tracks 7 & 8 for Tracking Champion (T CH) and Tracks 9 & 10 for Tracking Grand Champion (T Gr Ch).

Track & Search Trials also have 4 levels. Tracks 1-3 for Track & Search Dog (TSD), Tracks 4-6 for Track & Search Dog Excellent (TSDX), Tracks 7 & 8 for Track & Search Dog Champion (TS CH) and Tracks 9 & 10 for Track & Search Grand Champion (TS Grand CH). As you progress from Tracking Tracks 1 – 10 (Rural) and Track & search Tracks 1 – 10 (Urban) the distance and difficulty increases.

I will briefly describe requirements for Tracking Tracks1 & 10 and Track & Search Tracks 1 & 10.Tracking Track 1 is 400 metres in length with 2 changes in direction with 1 article (indication of which is not required to pass) the known Track Layer (of the dog) must be found. Time to age Track is 20 – 45 minutes.

Tracking Track 10 is 1200 metres with a minimum of 8 changes of direction, 3 of which areacute turns, 4 articles (indication of at least 3 are needed to pass) as well as finding the unknown Track Layer. Time to age Track is 3 – 4 hours.

Tracking Dogs by Salina Chan (Continued)

(Australia)

Track & Search Track 1 is 800 metres with 25% non vegetated surface and 3 – 5 changes of direction. There will be 2 articles along the track (at least 1 must be found) as well as the known Track Layer. Time to age Track is 1 – 2 hours.

Track & Search Track 10 is 1200 metres and Tracked at night. With 80% non-vegetated surface and 6 – 8 changes of direction with a 300 metre Car leg with 2 turns (this is where the Track Layer gets into a car at a pre designated point for 300 metres before getting out of the car and walking to the end of Track) no articles are on Track but unknown Track Layer must be found. Time to age Track is 4 – 5 hours.

For the complete rules and guidelines for Tracking and Track & Search Trials go to Dogs Australia or check with the rules in your country of origin where Tracking or Track & Search Trials are held.

Salina Chan (Group 6 & 7 conformation Judge and currently enrolled in the Tracking (rural) judges training scheme).