What kind of dog hunts truffles

Easier to train and transport and not inclined to eat the treasures they uncover, truffle hunting dogs have made this once specialized sport accessible to average dog owners. Although scenting breeds like Beagles and hound dogs might seem like obvious truffle dog hunters, certified professional dog trainer Alana McGee, owner of the Truffle Dog Company in Washington, says that any dog can be trained to find truffles for fun.

If there is a breed of dog you don't think can do this, we've probably helped train them, even Akitas and Alaskan Malamutes. She adds that professional truffle hunting dogs require certain characteristics, like drive, endurance and friendliness to strangers. These traits serve truffle dogs and their handlers well as they search for the buried treasures in the rugged forests of the Pacific Northwest to the hills of Italy.

As with all dog training, working with truffle hunting dogs should be fun for both ends of the leash. McGee says that the early stages of training help the dog understand that truffle hunting is a game and not work, even though the stakes might seem high, given the value of what truffle dogs can unearth. She first became aware that truffles exist in the Pacific Northwest about eight years ago. At the same time, Brosnan was considering her next breed after her smart and spunky Puli passed away.

Nowadays, Brosnan and her dogs not only search for truffles but also teach others the technique. A truffle hunt usually involves a few hours of searching out in the field with playtime breaks for the dogs. They usually drive about miles to get to their truffle spots, and only hunt on private land with the permission of the landowners.

Some truffles get used in her own cooking, while others go to local chefs. She proudly explains that Gnocchi knows just what to do once the pair gets into the woods.

Truffle dogs are usually rewarded for each find with treats. Brosnan starts her truffle dogs practically from birth. She makes immediate connections for the puppies with the scent of truffles early on. As the puppies get older and start moving around, Brosnan incorporates truffles into other enrichment activities.

She starts by putting truffles into a container for the puppies to chase. It was female pigs, however, which were primarily used to find truffles. As part of the mating ritual, the female is insatiably drawn to this scent. They can detect truffles by their aroma alone, even when growing deep underground. A well-trained dog is just as effective at sniffing out a truffle as a pig. Dogs have an incredible sense of smell and many enjoy working with this skill.

Truffles, when they are mature and ready to be unearthed, give off a very particular aroma, which dogs can be trained to find. Time is a critical factor in truffle farming: they need to be found when they are mature, harvested and stored quickly to preserve their unique flavour.

There are also sound environmental reasons for using dogs. Truffles are fairly delicate and are quite particular about the quality of the soil they will grow in. With a well-trained dog, a farmer can have much greater control over how the soil is disturbed. Of course, dogs are also far more mobile. Training a dog to find truffles has two key components: teaching the scent and training for correct behavior when the scent is found.

Wells recommends introducing the scent with a high-quality oil ensure it is not a synthetic scent which is common in cheaper truffle oils or, if possible, an actual truffle. Pair the truffle scent with treats to create a positive association with the smell. For dogs who frequently hike and hunt off leash in high-distraction environments, it is much easier.

The dog needs to remain at the truffle location and wait for you to arrive. There are a number of training resources available for those just getting started or if you want some more advanced, hands-on help. In the Pacific Northwest, the Truffle Dog Company offers classes in-person and online , guided outings, and training kits that include the correct truffle scent for your area. In addition to strengthening the working relationship between you and your dog, you might even find a culinary prize to take home to your kitchen.

She has a lifelong passion for the outdoors, dogs, and wildlife; as an adult, she discovered that upland bird and waterfowl hunting were natural extensions of these pursuits. Jennifer lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and their two Deutsch Langhaars.