The trials regulations for earth dogs approved by the FCI General Committee were applied for the first time from 24 - 26 August 2012. The FCI Earth Dogs Commission is responsible for entrusting the organisation of the above Grand Prix to an organiser. A very good choice was made with the nomination of the Landesverband Thüringen (LT) member of the German Teckel Club (DTK). Ultimately, the task of putting words into action was taken on by the Hildburghausen-Sonnenberg Group under the guidance of 1st Chairman Hubert Stäblein. It is a demanding assignment to set up and run a highly qualified international competition, including a supporting programme, starting from scratch. In addition to logistics, accommodation and catering for a group of around 50, an internationally compatible artificial den was needed for working below ground on predatory game, as well as a few hundred hectares of woods for the blood tracking section and the search and flushing out of game. The hunting grounds of Thuringia chosen were well stocked with game and were, as such, certainly predestined for such a top-ranking trial. The earth dogs had to show their various skills during these trials. The work on the fox in the artificial den before the shot (according to animal welfare criteria and without direct contact), and searching for game over a broad area in thickets above the ground in order to flush it out had to be managed, as well as the most varied demands regarding the obedience of the dogs. The final challenge was the work after the shot in the artificial blood tracking discipline with a minimum laying time of 20 hours, without being accompanied by the judges. If the handler and the dog leave the track during this part of the trial, they end up “in the vast wilderness”. There is nobody on the spot to offer assistance, which then makes it almost impossible to complete the trials successfully.

14 teams (1 border terrier and 13 teckels) from Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the Czech Republic decided to face up to the challenging demands set – astonishingly, without one single team from the German Hunting Terrier camp! It would appear that the condition for admission “minimum a ‘very good’ at an international FCI show” could not be met in this case. The owners of German Hunting Terriers are not keen to attend such a show. The committees in charge at the Internationaler Verband für Deutsche Jagdterrier (International German Hunting Terrier Association - IV-DJT) still have a lot of work to do in relation to providing information and clarification in this regard, failing which German Hunting Terriers will continue to be denied participation in international FCI trials with CACIT award for the FCI “International Working Champion” title (C.I.T.)

With the requirements for the trials selected, it soon became clear that the task of the teams would be very hard. At the end of the first day, six teams had already been eliminated in the blood tracking section and three others in the working below ground discipline, meaning that there were only five teams left on Sunday to be admitted to the questing trial. Fortunately, all five competitors were able to overcome this hurdle successfully.

The international judging panel comprised judges from four countries:

The practical section of the trials was completed at around 11 a.m. on Sunday, after which it was time for the obligatory paperwork to begin. Trials director Hubert Stäblein maintained a clear view over the entire course of the event, including this phase. The final result was then announced.

The “CACIT” (leading to the gain of the CIT) could unfortunately not be awarded. The minimum score to get the CACIT at the GPE is 244 points. The maximum score that can be obtained in this trial is 256 points.

As the body responsible for and the organiser of these CACIT trials, the FCI Earth Dogs Commission is dependent upon sponsoring by the members of the FCI Earth Dogs Commission, as well as affiliated interest groups. The FCI Earth Dogs Commission does not receive contributions from anywhere and therefore does not have any assets. It is only thanks to donations by the

• German Hunting Terrier Club (DJT)
• German Teckel Club 1888 (DTK)
• Austrian Club for German Hunting Terriers
• Belgian Royal Teckel Club (R.T.C.B.)
• Société Cynologique Suisse (SCS)
• Czech Teckel Club
• Welt Union Teckel (WUT)

that this event could be put on at all in this magnificent way. Many thanks to all the participants and the sponsors.

The Hildburghausen-Sonnenberg group comprising 35 volunteers, looked after those taking part in the trials in a splendid manner. They were always there to provide friendly assistance whenever they were needed. The blood tracking sections were excellently laid out, the artificial den was in very good condition, the foxes in the best of shape, the Thuringia forest well stocked with game, the hospitality at the club house in competent hands, the “Green Evening” event on Saturday accompanied by good musical entertainment and a delicious hot and cold buffet. All this and the accommodation at a generous country inn certainly made the trip to Thuringia very worthwhile. Hope to see you all again next year.

Robert Osterwalder
President of the FCI Earth Dogs Commission