The AKC National Tracking Invitational is a “by invitation” event limited to 12 dogs who earned a Champion Tracker (CT) title between January 1, 2016 through June 30, 2027.
Eligible dogs will receive an electronic invitation to enter the NTI via an email from the AKC after the qualifying period has been completed. (We highly recommend signing into the AKC website before then to verify the email address listed is correct.) A random draw will be held on Facebook Live, with priority in the draw given to dogs not previously exhibited at an AKC National Tracking Invitational event. Dogs not drawn into the event are placed on the alternate list in the order drawn.
There are twelve tracks available at the National Tracking Invitational. All twelve tracks are plotted on Friday, with six run on Saturday and six run on Sunday. NTI Tracks will comply with Chapter 4 p. 17-19 of the AKC Tracking Regulations with the following modifications:
Length – 600-800 yards
Aged – 2 to 4 hours
Turns– 5 to 7 changes of direction
Cross Tracks – natural, none plotted
Obstacles – at least two obstacles and/or changes of terrain
Surfaces – variable terrain, cover and surfaces as available. Each track will offer different scenting challenges such as vehicles, hikers, bicycles, horses and other animal traffic, woods, dilapidated fences, water and/or non-vegetated surfaces.
Articles – 4 articles (fabric, plastic, metal and leather; start article is fabric)
Four judges, each approved for both TDX and VST that are based in different regions of the country and who have not yet judged at an NTI event will be selected by the Club, with input from the AKC.
As the NTI is a showcase tracking event, not a tracking test, rather than teams being scored Pass or Fail they are scored Unassisted or Assisted. If Assisted, the judges will finish the track with that team.