“Don’t interfere with your dog’s ability,” she says. Rothwell offers some sage advice for the novice trailer. Mantrailing relies a lot on the trust between the dog and handler, so it’s a great way to strengthen the bond you have. A dog that has spent the day following a trail will come home tired and mentally and physically stimulated, without having been over-aroused. This helps to build confidence and allows them a great deal of autonomy. They don’t have to work near other dogs or people, and it’s possible to control the environment. Reactive dogs and those that are nervous or fearful can take part too. Unlike some other dog sports, Mantrailing is suitable for young puppies, elderly, blind, deaf, and tripawd dogs. What Benefits Can This Sport Offer You and Your Dog? But those that do enjoy it find the sport to be a fantastic way to harness their innate drive to engage their nose. Other hunting breeds like Pointers, and intelligent, driven dogs like the Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd are often employed for the job too.įor owners wanting to try Mantrailing as a hobby, not every dog will take to it. It’s not just Bloodhounds that take part in professional Mantrailing. She describes the breed as being “a nose with a dog attached,” and she is an advocate for trailing with them because it’s “an activity they were bred for and that they truly love doing.”Ĭan Dogs Other Than Bloodhounds Excel in Mantrailing? Jan Rothwell, who hilariously describes herself as the “dope at the end of the rope,” has 40 years of Bloodhound experience and is another Mantrailing Judge for the ABC. With their long, muscular necks and powerful bodies, these dogs have the stamina needed to handle long days out in challenging terrain. Their long, droopy ears and jowly, wrinkled faces trap scents as they have their face down sniffing out the trail. ![]() They are also known for being persistent, relentless, and somewhat stubborn. Most breeds have, on average, 100 million scent receptors in their noses - Bloodhounds have at least double that number. Why is the Bloodhound Such a Champion Mantrailer?īloodhounds are the ultimate Mantrailers. What constitutes rewarding will vary depending on the dog - some love food, while others will work for toys. If you want them to stay focused and motivated, they need to find the activity rewarding. Whether you are a professional Mantrailer or just taking part as a hobby, the training should always be fun for your dog. They will work a variety of aged and new trails, be out in all weather, and negotiate differing terrains and environments. “The solid indications she has provided have led to numerous search warrants, arrests, and convictions,” explains Terri.Įxperienced dogs and handlers can follow scent trails that are up to two days old, but seriously skilled Bloodhounds have been known to follow trails weeks after the individual has passed through the area.ĭogs used for Mantrailing in the police or search and rescue teams are in constant training. Seven-year-old seasoned detective K9 Briggs has worked hundreds of cases locating missing and wanted individuals. They currently have two Bloodhounds, Briggs and Stratton, on their team. Terri Heck and her husband Jim run Summit Search and Rescue in Pennsylvania, and they are also Mantrailing Judges for the American Bloodhound Club (ABC). They then follow the trail on a long leash attached to a harness, aiming to locate that person. Before the exercise begins, the dog will sniff an article that the person has touched. What Is Mantrailing?ĭogs learn to seek out an individual’s scent from skin rafts (dead or dying cells) that naturally shed from the body. After all, a dog’s sense of smell is at least 40 times more sensitive than humans. ![]() Increasingly, breeds other than Bloodhounds are also putting their scenting and trailing skills to the test. In recent years, the activity has been growing in popularity as a recreational and competitive dog sport. In fact, these trained dogs’ trailing skills are so reliable that court proceedings accept their findings as evidence. Mantrailing dogs continue to prove their worth locating criminals, missing children, and people with Alzheimer’s, among others. Though it’s been around in one form or another for hundreds of years, Mantrailing is still a helpful tool when hunting for missing persons, despite technological advances.
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