Blood track

Blood track are something your dog will find to be among the most fun you’ve done together! It is the most natural thing a dog can do with its handler. Blood tracking strengthens the connection and trust between dog and handler, and is an easy way to satisfy your dog’s need for stimulation and energy depletion.

What are blood tracking?

An approved game tracking dog is used for a so-called search, where it tracks down a wild animal that has been injured in a traffic accident or hunt, for example, and may be lying in the forest and suffering. It is then important that the dog quickly finds the animal so that the game warden can end the animal’s suffering.
Of course, you can only drive game tracks as a fun activity with your dog, if you don’t want to go searching. Game trails are an excellent way to boost your dog’s confidence. Regardless, it is best to take a course in game tracking so that both you and your dog learn the right basics.

How do I start?

Beginners class – Most of the Swedish Kennel Club’s hunting clubs organize courses and tests in blood tracks. You start with a beginners course, which is a course for those who have never tracked before, or just tried it out. On the training course you will learn how to lay tracks and how to read your dog in the track. After the conditioning course, you can do a blood tracking test with your dog in front of a qualified judge.

In the first video below, you can see how to lay a blood trail.

In the video below you can see small clips where some podengoekipage practice tracking.

If I want to continue?

Open class – If your dog has passed the test in the facility class, you can take the continuation course Open class. It is for you who want to learn more about blood tracking, or possibly challenge yourself and your dog to a game tracking championship. After the Open class course, you can test your dog before a qualified judge.

Blood track championship

Championship – For those aiming for a game tracking championship, it is required that the dog has been awarded 3 first prizes (1st) in blood tracking tests in the Open class, for at least two different judges. For male dogs, a certificate of approved testicular status is also required. Neutered males cannot get blood track championships because the branch is breeding meritorious.

In addition to that there are some general rules such as for example that the dog must be ID marked and so on, under the heading Rules for blood track tests a little further down the page you will find a summary of the rules.

Is there a continuation after the Open class?

Elite track – is a quite new competition discipline in Sweden. A course in elite tracks is aimed at those who really want to challenge you and your dog on the track.

Can all dogs participate in game tracking tests?

All hunting dog clubs within SKK can arrange game tracking tests and the tests are open to all breeds, even to unregistered dogs that hold a competition license. If you have an unregistered dog/mixed breed, you need to order a competition license to participate, you can do that easily from SKK.

What equipment is needed to start game tracking?

Of course, it can be a little different depending on which trainer you take the course with, but the following are examples of what it can be:

• a good harness that sits comfortably on the dog
• a track line (max. 10 meters)
• really good reward treats (small cans of wet cat food, e.g. Sheba is a hit)
• 20 clothespins (for making cutlets)

Compete/take tests

If you want to take a course that is meritorious, our tip is to make sure that you take a course with an authorized blood tracking judge for whom you can take an exam, for example ViltSpårarna. There are plenty of blood tracking courses, but far from all are meritorious.

Swedish