The Tracking Dog Club of South Australia Inc

14/08/2026

Good luck to all entered in the final Rural Tracking Trial tomorrow at Monarto. If you interested in a share lunch at Monarto Oval afterwards please bring your goodies and celebrate the end of the season with the gang. Location is Monarto Sporting Complex, Schensher Rd, Monarto. Congratulations to you all, for all the successes, all of the try hards, and all of the days of learning as well. All dogs tried hard and weren't left standing at the start line. They gave you their all and are to be celebrated whatever the result.

A special thankyou to the judges and their helpers. You have done an awesome job - plotting takes ages and is a huge task. It would be nice if more people volunteered by asking, "How can I help?" so please think how you can make this an aim next year. Some of us are getting older and you are what we need. In the meantime farewell to the rural tracking season and look back on it with the satisfaction of success, your titles, all you have achieved, whether for your own dogs or the selfless tasks you did to enable others to do the same. Be proud. Pictured is Tegan Whalan with Tex competing for his track 10, judged by Nick West and resulting title of ED Gr Ch Multi Ch T Ch TS Ch T Grand Ch TS Grand Ch Leema T Rex FS.I TK.N "Tex" Border Terrier ​Tegan Whalan

28/07/2026

Ever thought about the planning and preparation that goes into a Rural Tracking Trial? First there is the Trial Manager who looks over the entries and checks the entrant sent the Tracking Information Sheet. Known tracklayers for tracks 1 and 2, contact details of competitor etc should all be listed. Passes achieved towards the current title and judges’ names also listed. If your dog has had 2 consecutive fails at the past 2 trials this must be stated. Who is handling the dog? If different to the owner. Is there a judge you can't compete under according to the rules ?

The Trial Manager
consults with the judges who advise how many dogs they can judge. They worked hard to become judges having done tracking themselves. Knowing how much space is required for the tracks means sometimes ballots are necessary. Longer tracks are 1.2km and cover a large area. Number of entries overall can be a factor if a ballot is needed.

The Judge and Helpers
We all want to get home at a decent hour too. We have been out there a whole day the week prior planning for your success. Who is judged by whom is also complex......you must be judged by at least 2 different judges to qualify for a Title, and you should be keeping tabs on when you have done what. A tracklayer can't walk for your dog again within 4 months (known tracklayer tracks 1 and 2 excepted). 2 dogs handled by the same person is the limit.......but it sure would be nice if people brought additional helpers who can help at a trial regardless of if you are entered 1 or 2 dogs. By the end of the season, it is quite a task. What you must do and when at a trial is critical to the success of everyone......make sure you don’t miss your cue to do the job the judge or put out steward gave you.

Plotting
Help is always welcome to come plotting so why do so few do it. ?
Is everyone so busy they have absolutely no time at all?
At plotting you can learn so much. Entries will close Tues midnight for our last trial at Monarto. Is there anyone who wants to help - there might be an opportunity to learn stuff and be made very welcome.

The Judging Schedule
This can take ages to create to make sure everything goes like clockwork. Known tracklayers paired for a particular dog, tracklayers that can't be used for certain dogs as they have walked for them this season, doggy x tracks, cross track layers that can’t be used for a dog as they are from the household. Then there are physical limitations of some competitors to which we are compassionate to and have done our utmost to assist. With all this work done, remember we are relying on everyone to do your bit at the trial. This includes commitment right through the day.

Equipment
After a trial stuff can be wet or in need of repair. Things need to be sorted and broken pegs and worn string replaced and we plot all over again for the next trial with barely one weekend to spare. Pe***ng the pegs back onto the flags and putting them in number order is very helpful as is asking if there is anything you can help with. We may say no but hey you offered.

In the end this is a group effort for all dogs to succeed. You may be able to contribute a little more in the process. Basically, turning up at a trial to only compete with your dog is not an option. You are required to stay at the Trial with your judging group until judging has been completed for your group. This is a Community Effort.

Linda

23/07/2026

Available from Linda are 3 hi viz vests for daytime use only as per photos...complies with standard for daytime use not suitable for night trials. This offer is for members only......size is Medium and they are free

17/06/2026

https://tdcsa.weebly.com/2026-titles.html
The website has been updated with the latest achievements of our clever dogs and handlers

THE TRACKING DOG CLUB OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA INC

09/05/2026

https://tdcsa.weebly.com/2026-titles

09/05/2026

https://tdcsa.weebly.com/training-and-trials.html
Schedules now on website,
Entries via show manager or as per info on schedules
Tracking 13-14 June, 4-5 July, 25-26 July, 15-16 Aug
Track & Search 11-12 July, 1-2 August,
Please note the second day listed on the schedules may or may not be used. It is subject to the needs and availability of judges scheduled for the event. Please remember to fill in the Tracking Test Information Sheet available on the same page and send to the Trial Manager. This information aids organizers in which judge you compete under. You must compete under 2 different judges for a title to be valid

21/04/2026

Bought this awesome bag of treats for dogs tonight..... 500g for just $5 and Australian made too....My girl Abby loves them

08/04/2026

Thankyou to all those who entered the first Track & Search Trial of the season. It will be held in its entirety on Saturday May 2nd. Good luck to you all.

15/01/2026

To Club members interested in becoming a SACA Rep / attending as a time to refresh. You must have been a member of DogsSA for at least 5 years, over 18 and in good standing.