Going to Ground is an American Kennel Club event sometimes called the Earth dog Tests. Three titles-Junior, Senior, and Master Earth dog-can be attained. The test measures the dog's skill in pursuing small quarry. Since badgers, fox, or other natural quarry are impractical, a laboratory rat is sometimes used.
In the easiest trial, a dog has two minutes to travel from start, through a ten foot angled tunnel, and to the quarry, where it must "work" for thirty seconds. Working consists of digging, growling, barking, lunging, or any other activity that shows that the dog is attacking the quarry.
At the Junior level, the tunnel is thirty feet long with three corners. The dog has thirty seconds to reach the quarry, thirty seconds to start working, and sixty seconds of actual working. At this level and above, multiple judging of the trials is required before a title is conferred.
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