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The Denmaster Course is by far the most intensive terrier and small dog trial to ever exist. For centuries dogs have been bred to bolt fox, raccoon, possum, moles, rats, rodents and other pesky varmints and small game to protect the livelihood of the farmer and farming community. As time went on other effective ways were introduced and the small game dog slowly began to lose it's natural instincts. Forward to today and the AAPBA has resurrected the purpose and drive of the small terrier and small dog. The vision of the AAPBA to preserve the ancestral traits and pass them forward to the next generations of dogs. The Denmaster Course will judge dogs on how effective they are in their underground ability and how they are stimulated using their natural instincts in the face of their quarry. Dogs fall into 4 different classes separated by level of achievement in the difficulty in the courses. Here is a brief run down of the order of events. Your dogs name is called. You and the dog approach the Denmaster yard gate. Judge asks if you are ready. Then judge will give command "hunt", handler releases dog into the Denmaster yard and owner immediately shuts gate. Handler then can relax and look at the tunnel map board or the tunnel monitors and watch the progress and action of the dog. Dogs find quarry and wait for judges command to retrieve your dog. The Denmaster rules are designed for the safety of the dog and its owners/handlers. These rules must be followed for safety and to avoid disqualification. 1. The Denmaster course demands a quiet atmosphere and silence from all dogs, spectators and handlers. 2. All dogs must be 20 feet away from the Denmaster domain. 3. All dogs in holding area must be 5 feet apart at all times. 4. No Females in heat in or around Denmaster course. 5. Tunnels will be scented before and during (as needed) by Denmaster Officials. 6. Once entering the appointed start area no scent, rag, bait or any other materials are allowed in. 7. Tunnel time will start as soon as "hunt" command is given. 8. Tunnel time will stop as soon as dog completes the course by entering the "Quarry Den". Quarry Den time will start at that point. 9. Judge grades the performance and scores the dogs times in the tunnel and quarry den. 10. Incase of a tie there will be a re-hunt. 11. The winner is determined by the best prey drive, graded score and time. 12. Judge can start, re-start or stop competition anytime. 13. Judges option to skip or disqualify competitors if not ready for event. 14. Challenging judges decisions and calls results in immediate disqualification. 15. Casual or formal is accepted. 16. Bare feet is prohibited. 17. Awards and results are presented at the completion of event. 18. All rules and decisions are final, No refunds available. |
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Denmaster A canine to quarry hunt through various levels of difficulty |
DENMASTER |
Special Note: The AAPBA ensures no animals will be harmed or mistreated in any way. We take special precaution and care of all quarry and live bait used for the Denmaster Course. |
Note: False tunnel entries should be rotated to prevent a dog relying on it's memory and ensure the dog is using it's sense of smell. |
© AAPBA Est. 1997 |
The Denmaster Award The Denmaster Award is achieved when a dog owner has trained and competed 5 dogs successfully to the level of the Master Den Class. This award holds the true meaning of superiority, skill and knowledge of the canine to quarry training. |
Learn about the Alpha Dog Award |
Dogs are scored on hole entry (with or without assistance), tunnel negotiation time and quarry den activity with time. Please pay particular attention to the difference of each class requirement. The Denmaster Course will judge dogs on how effective they are in their underground ability and how they are stimulated using their natural instincts in the face of their quarry. Dogs fall into 4 different classes that are separated by level of achievement and the difficulty of the courses. Males and Females compete against each other. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Level 1 • Dificulty: Easy Qualifiying Title • Certified Earth Tunnel - CET Amount of points to earn CET: None except Denmaster Judge approval to advance. Certified Earth Tunnel Before entry is even allowed in to the more advanced and expert tunnels every dog must enter, pass and earn the Certified Earth Tunnel CET trial to advance into achieving the championship titles and classes. Dogs have to negotiate the qualifying tunnel with one turn. Owner is allowed to assist with no points deducted on hole entry. The reasoning behind the CET is to familiarize the dogs with entering a hole and tunnel. With the approving decision and 'ok' of the Denmaster Judge the handler and dog can now advance into the more competitive Pro Dirt Class. |
THE DENMASTER TUNNELS |
The Levels and Difficulty |
Championship Titles and Classes • Pro Dirt Class - PDC 50 points • Expert Ground Class - EGC 100 points • Master Den Class - MDC 150 points • Denmaster Award - DMA must successfully pass 5 dogs in the MDC (For Owner/Handlers only) |
Example of Certified Earth Tunnel |
One turn |
Level of Championship Title • Pro Dirt Class - PDC Amount of Points to earn PDC: 50 points Pro Dirt Class Pro Dirt is an advanced level. Dogs will negotiate tunnels with 4 turns, inclines and declines totaling 52 feet underground into a scented quarry den. Dogs earn placement with the graded and scoring of their overall performance and time. 1st place Medallion - 10 points 2nd place ribbon - 6 points 3rd place ribbon - 4 points |
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Level 2 • Difficulty: Advanced |
Turn 1 |
Turn 2 |
Turn 3 |
Turn 4 |
Level of Championship Title • Expert Ground Class - EGC Amount of Points to earn EGC: 100 points Expert Ground Class Expert Ground is an extremely demanding level to acquire. Dogs will negotiate tunnels with 4 turns, 1 obstacle, inclines and declines totaling 75 feet underground into a scented quarry den. Dogs earn placement with the graded and scoring of their overall performance and time. 1st place Medallion - 10 points 2nd place ribbon - 6 points 3rd place ribbon - 4 points |
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Level 3 • Difficulty: Extremely Demanding |
Turn 1 |
Turn 2 |
Turn 3 |
Turn 4 |
Obstacle |
Level of Championship Title • Master Den Class - MDC Amount of Points to earn MDC: 150 points Master Den Class Master Den is a severely advanced level for dogs to compromise mentally and physically. Dogs will negotiate tunnels with 8 turns, numerous obstacles, inclines and declines totaling 103 feet underground into a scented quarry den. Dogs earn placement with the graded and scoring of their overall performance and time. 1st place Medallion - 10 points 2nd place ribbon - 6 points 3rd place ribbon - 4 points |
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Level 4 • Difficulty: Severely Advanced |
Turn 1 |
Turn 2 |
Turn 3 |
Turn 4 |
Obstacle |
Obstacle |
Obstacle |
Turn 5 |
Turn 6 |
Turn 7 |
Turn 8 |
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THE DENMASTER AWARD |