Western Pennsylvania Earthdog Club
The Western Pennsylvania Earthdog Club was established in 2003 to promote Earthdog training and trials that develop and test a dog’s hunting and working abilities.
The purpose of non-competitive Earthdog tests are to offer breeders and owners of small terriers and Dachshunds a standardized gauge to measure their dogs' natural aptitude and trained hunting and working behaviors when exposed to an underground hunting situation. The list of breeds eligible are on the Eligibility Page. The non-competitive program begins with a basic introduction to “den work and quarry” and progresses through gradual steps to require the dog to demonstrate that it is willing to perform the required tasks, including seeking and locating its quarry underground. Fear not, rodent lovers: The rats are safely caged and are not harmed. In fact, many participants keep rats as pets for use in Earthdog trials.
Why join the Western Pennsylvania Earthdog Club?
Earthdog is an event growing in popularity among Dachshunds and Terriers. However, reaching their goal to achieve “Rat-itude” requires practice. Membership in the Western Pennsylvania Earthdog Club gives your dog the ability to practice and develop their natural talent. The club holds monthly meetings from April through October with Earthdog practices held immediately following. As a member of The Western Pennsylvania Earthdog Club you will be promoting the advancement of the Earthdog sport, while also helping your dog develop the skills for which they were bred. Learn more about becoming a member.
Thank you for a wonderful year of Earthdog!
Practices will resume next spring.
A New Season Begins
Pictured is judge Jean Callens at the August 2021 Test. This is one of our tunnels at the Indiana site. Each tunnel is completely fenced in (except the Master tunnel.) By this season, the natural undergrowth has repopulated the area.
Practices are also held at Lavender Hill in West Alexander, PA.
Puppy River training for Earthdog!
River is a young Rat Terrier belonging to Megan Barton, a club member. Rive shows good quarry instinct, but getting used to quarry in cages and tunnels requires training. Here River is sniffing mice which are safe in a wire cage.
During a Test, a wire cage with two rats is behind wooden bar in a dark den at the end of a tunnel. The dogs have to show they can "work" the quarry by barking, digging, or pawing and biting the wooden bars. The rats are not harmed.
Some of Megan and Stacy Barton's dogs compete in Earthdog at the Western Pennsylvania Earthdog Club (WPEC.)
Earthdogs are versatile!
Balleek is learning Barnhunt!, She belongs to Nancy Jo Roseberry and has her international champion and major points toward her AKC champion. Some of Nancy Jo's dachshunds compete in Earthdog at the Western Pennsylvania Earthdog Club (WPEC.)
Cairn Terriers are Earthdogs, too!
Reggie, belonging to Sas Argentine, won his 12 to 18 month class and went on to win Best to Opposite Sex at the Potomac Cairn Terrier Club Sweepstakes. Congratulations!
Some of Sas's other Cairn Terriers compete in Earthdog at the Western Pennsylvania Earthdog Club (WPEC.)