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Purchasing a Dachshund simply for their loving companionship, sparkling personality, or unrivaled beauty is cool, but it’s a bit like marrying a supermodel and never asking her to bed wrestle.
Wiener Dogs are born hunters. Furry bundles of tenacious energy bred for underground death-matches with animals far larger than themselves. They yearn to do more than sit around the house and watch TV. They want to play; run; track prey; and most of all, to work. And one of the best ways to safely satisfy the doxies’ inborn drive is through Go-to-ground, or Earthdog trials.
An Earthdog trial is a contest of wills that tests the mettle of even the bravest Dachshunds…and the dogs love it. Though there are various types of events, and several governing bodies (including the AKC and AWTA), the basic premise is simple.
The trial begins with a Dachshund entering a man-made tunnel and following a scent path leading to caged rats. If the doxie makes it to the quarry, they are lifted out of the tunnel or called back to the opening. Though it sounds pretty simply, it often isn’t. Many go-to-ground trials involve sharp turns, dead ends, and variations in incline--all in pitch-black darkness.
These events are a fun and easy way for Dachshunds to utilize the natural hunting instincts man has bred into them without worrying about injury to their elongated backs. The dogs love the challenge that the events bring, and owners like to watch the joy that the trials bring to their little buddies faces.
Check out some of the links below for more information on this awesome event.
Earthdog Trial 1
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