The American Kennel Club states, in its Beginner's Guide to Tracking, that a dog's sense of smell is 100,000 times stronger than humans. AKC also states that dogs have 2 billion olfactory receptors, versus 40 million in humans. This is why dogs are used in the search and rescue of lost people or disaster victims and other animals; in finding illegal items for the United States Department of Agriculture and law enforcement agencies; and to even detect cancer.

Tracking demonstrates a dog's natural ability to recognize and follow a scent. Unlike other aspects of canine training, where dogs respond to the handlers' commands, a tracking dog 'is in charge because only he knows how to follow the scent with his nose'.

Tracking is appreciated, by those who participate, for the pleasure of training and interacting with their dogs' outdoors. It is a sport that is vigorous, noncompetitive, and demonstrates the willingness and enjoyment of the dog in its work.

We at FVDTC are proud to carry on the tracking community's tradition of sportsmanship and camaraderie. Our tracking committee warmly welcomes anyone interested in helping at our Tracking Trials, or to learn more about tracking, to contact our Tracking Test Chair, Ingrid Hamburger, for additional information. No experience necessary. Our only requirements are that you wish to have a good time, treat members and guests like friends and be willing to not only share in the excitement of passing a test but to also share in the disappointment of failing a test.

Currently, FVDTC does not have class instruction for teaching your dog to track a human scent; however, we do hold AKC tracking trials for those participating in the sport of tracking. If you wish to learn more about tracking please see the American Kennel Club web site.