The August weekend of 20-21.8.2011 saw the FCI's first international multiple trial for dachshunds taking place in Italy, based on the new trial regulations (PO) which had come into effect on 01.01.2011. The event was staged by the Amici Bassoto Club Italia (ABC) on behalf of the ENCI, with 12 dogs from 8 different countries entered:

Austria,
Belgium,
the Czech Republic,
Finland,
France,
Germany,
Italy,
Switzerland.

On the evening before the trials, the international judges convened for a judges’ meeting. Dog handlers and judges were given a warm welcome at the "Castle di Gropparello" by the organiser, Mr. Antonio Palladini, with introductions accompanied by a South Tyrolian hunting horn ensemble. After drawing starting numbers, a Catholic mass was celebrated. The evening ended with a dinner.

Due to the extraordinary daytime temperatures uncommon for North Italy in August (1st day: 38°, 2nd day over 40°), the trials began very early in the morning.

The regulations (PO) specify that trials are to begin with the 600m blood trailing test. The lines were laid in the urban Apennines and were exceptionally demanding. Unfortunately three dogs had to withdraw due to their performance not being up to scratch. This meant that the two sets of judges were left to judge either 4 or 5 dogs

All dogs passed the obedience test, though with different points awarded. This test consisted of heeling off or on leash, down/stay during gun fire and behaviour during a drive. To be awarded a CACIT a dog has to gain a mark of at least "3" in all disciplines, though at least 13 total points are needed. This means that a dog handler has to take one test with his dog off the leash, as this gives him the double number of points.

© Wolfgang Ransleben

The next test involved flushing, with dogs being required to demonstrate their ability to fully search a wooded area without pausing. There is no requirement to actually find game. Points are awarded for a dog's conduct while flushing and its perseverance while searching. This test, carried out on a different stretch of land, was passed by all dogs still in the competition, though all showed signs of tiredness due to the heat. The wooded area used was very overgrown.

The first day of these trials ended with dog handlers being told their current scores, enabling them to get prepared for the second day. Three dogs were in a position to achieve a CACIT on the second day, needing to run a rabbit.

The extreme temperatures led to the second day also being started earlier than planned. The two groups were assigned different stretches of land with different conditions, though both had enough rabbits.

The "Spurlaut" test (“giving tongue”) involves a dog having to follow the scent track of a non-visible rabbit as far and as surely as possible. The weather was exceptionally dry and the morning temperatures were already so high that participants had sweat pouring off them. In my group (1), there were four dogs left to test. In the second judging group there were five left. It was astonishing to see one dog ending up with 100 points, demonstrating the incredible nose performance of our dogs. In group 2, one dog was withdrawn, unable to cope with the conditions and perform sufficiently well.

At the end eight dogs passed this difficult test, with three of them qualifying for the CACIT.

© Wolfgang Ransleben

Last but not least, it should be mentioned that the oldest handler was 85 years old. He was working with an excellent 2-year old dog, which achieved 272 points, thereby qualifying for the CACIT.

Lunch for all participants and the award ceremony on Sunday afternoon marked the end of these excellent trials.

As the delegate of the FCI Earth Dogs Commission, I would like to express my thanks for the effort the organiser put into organising and conducting this event. All in all, an excellent trial event.

Results

International Multiple Trial

Wolfgang Ransleben