Nose Work (NACSW) and Scent Work (AKC)
two separate venues to compete in
The Approach K9 Nose Work and AKC Scent Work are modeled after the training and search methods many handlers use to train drug and explosive detection dogs. Organizations design these events for class activities and competitive sport.
There are two main organizations which provide events for competition:
- The American Kennel Club (AKC)
- The National Association of Canine Scent Work (NACSW)
Nose Work and Scent Work trials may be offered almost every weekend in the North East and if you are an active handler or dog team, you may even have two trials offered on the same weekend, so there are many choices for competition, but here we are only explaining some of the differenced between these two venues.
NACSW is one of the most accommodating organizations when it comes to dog reactive dogs. In all K9 Nose Work activities that dogs are kept apart. The separation allows all dogs to enjoy the sport. Dogs are not in the search area at the same time. They do not pass through doorways at the same time. They are crated or, weather permitting, in their vehicles when waiting to work.
By allowing the dog to work without other dogs present, one can develop focus and confidence. Many Nose Work classes with a local trainer follow this SAME philosophy.
K9 Nose Work – National Association of Canine Scent Work (NACSW)
Unique to NACSW, an ORT (Odor Recognition Test) is required as a prerequisite for Trial. The ORT or oder recognition test, the dog must alert the handler of the target oder in one out of 12 boxes. It is a 3-minute, on-leash test, with one target odor per test. Each additional odor at the test event will be a separate test .When the team has passed all three oder tests they may enter the NW1 level. There is no requirement to pass all three odors at the same event, but you will not earn the ORT title until you pass all three odor tests.
In the sport of K9 Nose Work, the dog and handler search four elements in a trial, and the team must qualify in all four elements of individual competition to title
For K9 nose work, you have four elements of individual competition
- Interior Search
- Exterior Search
- Vehicle Search
- Container Search
At NW1 competition, the target odors are birch, anise or clove. The critical point is that the source of odor is accessible to the dog at this level.NW2 and NW3 add new increase the search's complexity, but the four essential search elements remain the same.
An ORT Title is required for eligibility in NW1 and Level 1 Element Specialty Trials
Element Specialty Trial Titles
- L1C (Level 1 Containers)
- L1E (Level 1 Exteriors)
- L1I (Level 1 Interiors)
- L1V (Level 1 Vehicles)
- L2C (Level 2 Containers)
- L2E (Level 2 Exteriors)
- L2I (Level 2 Interiors)
- L2V (Level 2 Vehicles)
- L3C (Level 3 Containers)
- L3E (Level 3 Exteriors)
- L3I (Level 3 Interiors)
- L3V (Level 3 Vehicles)
Handlers must be members of NACSW and renew annually (Membership runs from August 1 to July 31 of each year.). Dogs are enrolled for life.
AKC Scent Work TrialsAKC Scent Work trials will often have dogs lined up in the sight of each other, but dogs will work alone. Unlike NACSW, AKC Scent Work is NOT designed to accommodate dogs who are fearful or reactive to other dogs. In general, dogs must be AKC registered to compete. However, AKC has a program for registering mixed breeds and purebred dogs without registration papers.
AKC Scent Work has two Divisions:
Both the AKC and NACSW challenge dogs to detect hidden odors, but there are some key differences in the details. For example, NACSW includes vehicle searches, whereas AKC Scent Work has a buried element and a handler discrimination division, where the dog learns to find the scent of its handler.
AKC Scent Work has two Divisions:
- The Odor Division
- And the AKC Handler Discrimination Division
- Containers
- Interiors
- Exteriors
- Buried Hides
Both the AKC and NACSW challenge dogs to detect hidden odors, but there are some key differences in the details. For example, NACSW includes vehicle searches, whereas AKC Scent Work has a buried element and a handler discrimination division, where the dog learns to find the scent of its handler.