An Earthdog Test, also known as a “Den Trial” (as called by the American Working Terrier Association) comes in multiple levels: Introduction to Quarry, Junior Earthdog, Senior Earthdog, and Master Earthdog. It is at the Master level that Dachshunds and certain terrier breeds put on their “big boy and big girl pants” because they must hunt their way into a den with a partner called a “bracemate.”  Both dogs have to find the entrance to the den and mark it with authority so that there’s no question the dog is indicating an active den.  The test den includes obstacles (PVC pipes laid crossways) that serve to simulate tree roots a dog is likely to encounter in nature. The dogs take turns, one quietly honoring, while the other dog works (the bracemate is typically staked out). Once a dog successfully completes all parts of the Master test four times under three different judges, he or she shall be designated a Master Earthdog.

Competing at an earthdog trial reveals why breed standards matter.  If the back is too short on some breeds, the dog is unlikely be to flexible enough to move around underground. If the chest is too big, the dog can’t do it’s job efficiently; “spanning” is an important way to evaluate the chest on, say, a Border Terrier or Patterdale Terrier, and both of these breeds’ standards call for it. As a reminder, and generally speaking, one should be able to “hand span” the dog’s chest with the fingers of both hands touching. When spanning, one gently lift the dog’s front legs off the ground or table, and gently squeezes the bottom of the chest to be certain that it will compress. 

“Up to No Good,” a Patterdale Terrier sketch by Malcolm Coward, is available as a print here