Truffle dogs

As we mentioned in the article on truffle hunting, today we will talk to you about truffle dogs.

The best way to enjoy a new outdoor experience in nature is to share it, and who better than our four-legged friend?

A moment of relaxation in nature and an assiduous and tiring search: all this is what the truffle hunting experience is all about.

Truffle dogs can be both a faithful companion and an invaluable resource! But what qualities should our four-legged friends possess to succeed in this endeavor?

First of all, it’s important to understand that, for dogs, as with people, temperament and willpower are crucial. It’s essential that your dog receive specific training so that he can learn not only how to sniff out truffles, but also how to behave.

If you are passionate about truffles and like the idea of ​​hunting for them with your dogs, we recommend training them when they are young (as early as 3 months old).

With truffle dogs, just like with people, you can never overgeneralize. For this reason, there are no specific dogs for truffle hunting, only more or less suitable breeds.

All dogs have a certain predisposition; the important thing is to start training them from a young age, through ongoing training, to develop a bond of “complicity” between dog and owner. Furthermore, truffle dog training is required by law.

TO EVERY TRUFFLE HUNTER HIS OWN DOG

For beginners, it’s possible to find dogs that are already perfectly trained.
A professional truffle hunter, however, can easily train them himself, as he has the experience and the “tact” needed to educate them in the best possible way.

There are several characteristics that make a truffle dog more or less suitable: sex, size, and sense of smell. These are some of the characteristics that facilitate truffle hunting.

One of the fundamental elements, together with the sense of smell, is character, since they must be ready to indicate the place where they need to dig, stopping immediately when commanded.

TRUFFLE AND TERRITORY DOGS

Before choosing a dog breed, however, you need to consider the truffle hunting area.
Each dog breed has different morphological characteristics that can make it more or less suited to certain areas.

Here are some examples of the most suitable truffle dog breeds based on the territory:

• German Pointer, able to move well in areas with woods with climbs and slopes, such as in the Apennines;

• Pointers and dogs crossbred with this breed, which are characterized by a certain speed in their search.
  They boast a long stride and avoid unnecessary fatigue for the handler.
  These dogs, although highly skilled searchers, are difficult to control and for this reason are considered more suitable for expert truffle hunters.

• The Lagotto Romagnolo is suitable for flatter areas where woods extend between roads and ditches. Their short, less frenetic stride compared to other breeds makes them easier for their owners to handle. Lagottos and mongrels are more suitable for beginners.

The dog breeds listed above are generally the most suitable for truffle hunting.

We would like to remind you that, as in any interpersonal relationship, the main factor in achieving good results is based on the relationship between the dog and its owner.

Truffle hunting can be an opportunity to build a bond with our four-legged friends, based not only on obedience but also on mutual trust.

 

If you can establish a bond of “complicity” with your truffle dog,
you’ll find this experience much more satisfying for both of you.