Jack Russell Terrier Trailing and Locating

Trailing and Locating involves the terrier tracking and locating a quarry (above ground). The terrier is judged on his ability to follow a line in a simulated natural hunting environment, to locate, mark and open on the quarry. The terrier is judged on a combination of time and accuracy. The terrier with the fastest time is not necessarily the winner.

Trailing and Locating Rules

For the most up-to-date rules on Trailing and Locating, please refer to the JRTCA Sanctioned Trial Rule Book.

1. The handler must remain at the starting area.
2. Nodirectional hand signals allowed.
3. The handler may use verbal commands to praise or recall the terrier.
4. The length of the course is a minimum of 50 steps with at least two, but not more than four, changes in direction.
5. The trail is scented before the competition, at least 30 minutes prior to the competition for the scent to dry to the vegetation and the ground. The preferable scent is a mixture of fox urine, water and unscented glycerin.
6. Noschooling is permitted in area prior to the competition starting.
7. Flags are not to be used to mark the course.
8. The terrier is judged on his ability to follow a line in a simulated natural hunting environment, to locate, mark and open on the quarry.
9. The terrier is judged on a combination of time and accuracy. The terrier with the fastest time is not necessarily the winner.
10. The starting point is a natural marked spot indicated by the Judge.
11. The end is a natural marked spot approximately 2-3 feet from the actual quarry. The terrier's time is clocked up until he comes to this spot. This is considered coming up to the quarry for this test.
12. Deductions of 1- 15 seconds are taken for the following:
• Backtracking: Runs back over the line/scented trail.
• Overrunning: Overruns the line at a sharp turn; the harder the drive, the more the correction has to be made.
• Weaving: Runs from side to side of the line.
• Swinging: Races in wide circles in hit or miss fashion. Does not follow line directly. Skirts cover, sloppy work.
• Pottering/Loafing: Mucking about on line, goes over line again. Makes check/ change of direction where none exists. Lacks animation. Swings off line at start of check, then waits for someone to find line. Pees on bushes, pokes in holes, wastes time.
• Babbling: Opens/barks inappropriately off the line or on other game.
• Quitting: Should be taken off trail and disqualified.
• Handler Error: Misleads or distracts terrier. Does not follow orders/rules.
• Switching Quarry: Dog swings off line completely. Dog runs other quarry/trail.
• Marking Quarry: Should come up to quarry: points off for not going the whole way. BONUS: 10 seconds off time if dog opens on quarry.

Trailing and Locating Classes

• Puppies, 6 up to 12 Months. The terrier is judged on his ability to follow a line in a simulated natural hunting environment, to locate, mark and open on quarry. 'OPTIONAL'
• Adults, 1 year and older. The terrier is judged on his ability to follow a line in a simulated natural hunting environment, to locate, mark and open on quarry. May be split by sex and / or height.
• Brace, Two adult terriers working as a team. Judged on their ability to follow a line in a simulated natural hunting environment, to locate, mark and open on quarry. 'OPTIONAL'