Hunting Tests

Testing teckels for their reaction to a fired gun

Carrie Hamilton with Cap, who passed successfully the NATC Natural Den Test on woodchuck. Judges: Teddy Moritz and Wolfgang Ransleben

Larry Gohlke with Czar, who passed the first NATC Blood Tracking Test

The German term "Gebrauchshund" means "useful" hunting dog and Germans place great emphasis on testing to determine whether, and to what degree, a dog is "useful". Dogs are tested against a standard of what is "useful" rather than simply comparing one dog's performance against another's.

NATC intends to use European dachshund "usefulness" tests as a basis for developing similar tests adapted to North American game and hunting methods and traditions. The tests will be designed to assess the capability of dachshunds to usefully perform various hunting functions including:

1. tracking wounded big game so that the hunter may retrieve it;
2. locating and trailing small game while giving voice so that the hunter knows where the game and the dog are passing;
3. locating, baying and/or bolting underground quarry; and
4. flushing rabbits from thickets, brushpiles and dens.

Dogs must demonstrate freedom from gunshyness before they are allowed to enter any hunt tests. A versatility test involves successfully passing 3 components - blood tracking, trailing game and tonguing on line and flushing game in a controlled and obedient manner.