AKC Scent Work, which began in September of 2017, is a sport that mimics the task of working detection dogs to locate a scent and communicate to the handler that the scent has been found. Teamwork is necessary: when the dog finds the scent, he has to communicate the find to the handler, who calls it out to the judge.
AKC Scent Work is broken down into two divisions. The Odor Search Division, in which the dog is searching for the odor of one or more specific essential oils, and the Handler Discrimination Division, in which the dog is searching for the scent of their handler.
Searches in AKC Scent Work are completed in a variety of environments, known as “Elements.” The Elements in AKC Scent Work are:
• Container: The target odor is concealed within a container (such as a cardboard box or briefcase), and the dog must indicate in which container the scent is hidden.
• Interior: The target odor is concealed on or in an object in an indoor search area.
• Exterior: The target odor is concealed on or in an object in an outdoor search area–this requires the dog to locate the scent despite changing airflow patterns, weather conditions, and natural distractions.
• Buried: The target odor is concealed within a small container and then buried beneath sand or water.
Each element in the Odor Search Division, and the Handler Discrimination Division, has four difficulty levels: Novice, Advanced, Excellent, and Master. Factors such as the size of the search area, the number of hides, whether the number of hides is known or unknown to the handler, and the maximum height of the hides will change with the difficulty level.
The Detective Class is the highest level of competition in AKC Scent Work–it offers an integrated search environment with an unknown number of hides in a variety of elements. The intent of the Detective Class is to emulate as closely as possible the work of a true detection dog. In the Detective Class, the dog is searching for one or more essential oil odors.
In AKC Scent Work, handler-dog teams are judged on a qualify/non-qualify basis. In order to earn a qualifying leg, the handler-dog team must find and call all hides in a search area within the time allowed for the class without committing any non-qualifying faults.
In 2023, one French Bulldog achieved an extraordinary status of attaining 4 AKC Master Level titles in scent work and is currently on her way to attaining the astounding title of Detective Class, which is the highest level of competition in AKC Scent Work.
This remarkable French Bulldog earned her first AKC scent work title in 2019. She competes in four different venues: AKC NACSW, C-WAGS, and CPE Scent Sport. She has earned 53 titles among these venues, 25 of the titles through AKC. She has achieved many firsts in her scent work accomplishments. She is the first French Bulldog to earn the higher level titles (all Master levels), in all four elements.
In honor of Ava, (RACH Bullmarket Ava Spiritdragon CD BN RM8 RAE5 BCAT SWM SEME SCME SBME THDX RATN ATT TKN), and her handler, FBDCA member Andrea Morden- Moore, the FBDCA has created the Ava Award for Lifetime Achievement in Scent Work. Ava is owned by FBDCA member Andrea Morden-Moore.
AVA Award for Outstanding Achievement In Scent Work Awardees:
2023 AVA, RACH Bullmarket Ava Spiritdragon CD BN RM8 RAE5 BCAT SWM SEME SCME SBME THDX RATN ATT TKN, owned by Andrea Morden- Moore
About the Lifetime Achievement Awards for Dogs:
Purpose: Lifetime Achievement Awards are intended to honor FBDCA member-owned dogs who have achieved significant distinction in an AKC recognized activity other than conformation. A dog may only earn one of these awards once, and the award is given for extraordinary lifetime achievement.
Application & Award:
The Lifetime Achievement Awards will not necessarily be given yearly. Members who believe there is a dog worthy of such an award may nominate their own dog or any dog owned by another member in writing no later than the deadline set yearly by the Honors & Awards Committee of any calendar year for award at that year’s FBDCA Awards Banquet. Awards will only be given upon a recommendation of a majority of the Honors & Awards Committee with approval by the FBDCA Board. The deadline to nominate any dog for a lifetime achievement award for this year is July 31. Please submit your nomination to the FBDCA Honors & Awards Committee Chair, Paul Raleigh, at pvraleigh@gmail.com, before the annual deadline, which is July 31, for this year's Awards Banquet.
Note: The AKC Master title in 4 Scent Work elements will be a requirement for consideration for the Ava Award for Outstanding Lifetime Achievement in Scent Work.