Denmaster

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

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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.

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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

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

Level 4 � Difficulty: Severely Advanced

Turn 1

Turn 2

Turn 3

Turn 4

Obstacle

Turn 5

Turn 6

Turn 7

Turn 8

THE DENMASTER AWARD