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Detection Dog Trials

The Scent Work Competition for Everyone!

About DDT

DDT is a trial that you can compete in on any odor, held in a unique and interesting venue, that isn't judged on time! Some venue examples are, a football stadium, a museum, a movie theater and plenty more… You and your dog are scored together and individually over 10 sections. You also receive feedback and are still scored in most sections even if you don’t find.

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Become a DDT Member

In order for your scores to count, you must be a DDT member.

Odor Tiers

The tier system for odors allows more search time for more complex odors.

Tier 1 - Normal Time

  • Birch

  • Clove

  • Gun oil

  • Truffle oil

  • Catnip

  • Cannabis

  • Scentlogix

  • Pseudo

Tier 2 - Plus 2 Minutes

  • Tobacco

  • Cadaver

  • Narcotics– except cannabis

  • Kong

  • Conservation

  • TNT

  • Gasoline/Diesel

Tier 3 - Plus 4 Minutes

  • Accelerants- Except Gasoline

  • Digital Hardware

  • Cash

  • Gluten

  • Explosives-except TNT

  • Bed Bugs

Levels

Once a team has won a Prelim trial, they must move up to Novice.
If a team has scored 75 points or above 3 times, they must move up to the next level.
Advanced level coming soon!

Prelim

  • 5 minute search time.

  • You may ask for a time check.

  • 1 hide. No hides will be buried.

  • Hides will be no more than 3 feet off the ground.

  • The dog will always be able to get to source.

Novice

  • 5 minute search time.

  • You may ask for a time check.

  • 2 hides. No hides will be buried.

  • Hides will be no more than 3 feet off the ground.

  • The dog will always be able to get to source on one hide and may or may not be able to get to source on the other.

Intermediate

  • 8 minute search time.

  • You may ask for a time check.

  • Up to three hides.

  • Handler must call the area clear.

  • Hides will be no more than 3 meters off the ground.

  • No hides will be buried.

  • Dogs may or may not be able to get to source.

Elements

Element trials are where a level has more than one search area.
Examples of elements: vehicles, perimeter search, area search, room clearance, long line search, blank area (intermediate only).

Prelim

  • 2 or 3 elements, each element will have 1 hide - dog will always be able to get to source

Novice

  • 2 or 3 elements, each element will have 1 or 2 hides (maximum 4 hides) - dogs may or may not be able to get to source. handlers will be told how many hides per element.

Intermediate

  • 3 or 4 elements, elements will have up to 3 hides (maximum of 6 in total), one element can be blank (no hides)

The lowest total scoring sheet is dropped, then if there are 2 elements, the remaining score is used. If it is three or more, an average is taken. This is to ensure the overall scores at an element trial is the same as one with just the single run.

Current DDT Rules

Below are the current DDT International Rules. These rules and regulations are subject to change without notice so please refer back here for rule changes and update prior to a trial.

Awards and Specialty Trials

Gemstone Trials

Gemstone trials are themed trials that do not conform to odor or skill levels. Awards are given for additional skills and achievements earned at Gemstone Trials. These Gemstone Trials are currently only being run by Organizational and Regional Directors. We will let hosts know if/when they are opened up.

Diamond Award

Any competitor who scores a 90 or above in any trial will receive the Diamond Award.

End of Year Awards

Accumulated throughout the year and announced at the Championship.

  • HIGH PEAK – Highest Points awarded 

  • HIGH SUMMIT – Highest accumulated points average 

  • EXPEDITION – For the team who has shown the most improvement throughout the year (Nominations from all Judges) 

  • ESPRIT DE CORPS – the common spirit existing in the team and inspiring enthusiasm, devotion, and strong regard for the honor of the cause (Nominations from all Judges)

National Champtionship

The USA National Championship - TBD

International Championship

  • Semi finals and Championship will be held in January. There will be no qualifying trials in January. 

  • If a team qualifies for semi finals at Novice, but subsequently moves up to Intermediate, they may enter semis at Novice so long as they have not placed 1st or reserve at Intermediate level. 

  • In order to qualify for Championships, the 1st place team must have won over at least two other teams at that trial and level (not including any DQ teams). 

  • In order to qualify for Championships, the first place team must have a minimum score of 60. **Prelim wins do not qualify for Championships.**

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