Clean Boot Hunting
The origins of hunting the clean boot are as old as the ancient Romans and Greeks who both used dogs to detect humans. “Modern” Clean Boot Hunting began around 1900 and typically involved the hunting of a person with blood hounds, with a mounted field following behind the pack. The season for Clean Boot Hunting falling between October to March. This exciting hunting/detective sport was traditionally only for bloodhounds, today however other breeds can often join in, according to the rules of the particular country.
Breeds that were specifically bred for tracking and scent work may have a genetic advantage, but the versatile hovawart has a good nose, knows how to use it and can do very well in this sport; and there is absolutely no reason why other breeds should not engage in this fun activity as well. Similarly, you do not have to ride a horse – we do it on foot. The aim is for everyone to have a great day out and to enjoy 'hunting the clean boot'.
Clean boat hunting is a fascinating sport, both owner and the dog must understand and trust each other completely. Humans cannot scent like a dog, so the only way to know if the dog is doing the job well or not is to learn to read all his signals.
In common with most other dog sports clean boot hunting offers classes and the chance for progression. To begin with you must learn and train together in order to achieve the work permit, then there are novice, junior and senior classes. The length of tracks range from 1600 meters for the novice and up to 4,800 meters (about 3 miles) for a senior. The age of the track also varies from about a half an hour old up to two hours old according to the class.
Equipment required is minimal
The equipment required for the dog is minimal. A harness and a twenty meter long line are essential. The thickness of the line is a matter of personal preference as it has to do with what feels comfortable in your hand and little or nothing to do with the strength of the line. Most people seem to prefer a braided cotton based line as it is less likely to burn the hand with friction. On the negative side though it will be heavier when wet. Tracking harnesses can be expensive, so it is best to seek some advice from an experienced handler first in order to understand the pros and cons of particular types and brands.
The human quarry sets off, the dog clearly identifies the runner
The procedure is that a runner, also known as the target or the quarry, leaves an article with his or her scent on it attached to a flag or post at the start. The human quarry sets off on foot along a predetermined route and is given up to an hour to get ahead of the dogs. To test the dogs abilities the target covers as many natural obstacles as possible, whether it is agricultural land, woodland, moorland or open hill country. The dogs need to be able to negotiate a variety of terrains and be able to deal with fences, hedges, ditches, water and stone walls. They may encounter farm workers, tractors, livestock, walkers and ramblers, and of course natural hazards such as wild game, deer, foxes and hares. Rivers can be crossed and banks run along in order to extend the skills of the scenting dogs. The dogs are required to follow the line, route or scent, to find and positively identify the runner who waits at the end of the line.
The traditional way for a dog to identify the runner is to place his front paws on the chest of the target. Nowadays dogs are often trained to sit in "front of", or to "bark at" the target. The important thing is that the dog clearly identifies the runner.
The dogs track down the target not by the smell of anything he or she carries, drags or wears, but by their own particular human scent, their smell. Giving rise to the name “clean boot”. The dogs are given an article of clothing for example, worn by the runner, i.e. socks to sniff. This sets up the scent, and then the target or quarry is tracked by the dogs who have been trained to follow a natural human scent. For the dogs, this is pure fun, they can be themselves; additionally they “work” and exercise at the same time, so do you of course.
The end of the hunt is a happy social affair, often involving lots of licking, and praise for the dogs. The main aim is for everyone to enjoy a day out in the fresh air and to feel part of a friendly group 'hunting the clean boot'
