Shed Antler Hunting

UKC Elite Shed Dog Series

This program provides shed dog owners with a family friendly environment in which to enjoy participating in an activity that promotes an active, outdoor lifestyle for all individuals and their dogs. A wide variety of dog breeds are successfully used for this purpose, and the space needed for training is minimal, making this sport accessible to everyone. ~UKC 

This spring Josey (Glory and Thunder 2015 pup) started practicing for her upcoming shed antler event. She was having fun with the nose work involved and searching for shed antler.

OVERVIEW OF THE UKC ELITE SHED DOG SERIES
A. The goal of the UKC Elite Shed Dog Series is two-fold. First is the improvement of dogs used for the purpose of
recovering shed antlers by the recognition of individual dogs of outstanding merit.
B. Second is to provide individuals a family friendly environment in which to enjoy participating in an activity that
promotes a healthy lifestyle for all individuals and their dogs.
C. The Structure of the UKC Elite Shed Dog Series rules is specifically devised to aid in the identification, selection and
classification of dogs that hunt in an appropriate style effective for the recovery of shed deer antlers.

Working Shed Hunter Class
1. A Working Shed Hunter Class qualifying run shall consist of the find and satisfactory retrieve of 4 (four) sheds. Should
a find or retrieve be judged not satisfactory, the run may continue until the requirement is met, time is up, or no
more sheds remain on the course.
2. The Working Shed Hunter Class plant should be challenging but less difficult than the Champion course.
3. Working Shed Hunter Class dogs may be restrained by handler at the starting gate.
4. Handlers of Working Shed Hunter Class dogs may retreat during the retrieve but may never advance beyond the point
where the find was indicated by the Judge.
5. Working Shed Hunter Class dogs must deliver to the immediate area of the handler (Judge’s decision) but are not
required to deliver to hand. Immediate area is loosely defined as a couple steps from the handler and should be
discussed at the handler meeting. Judge’s decision is final.

TITLES AND HOW TO EARN THEM
Working Shed Dog (WSD) – A dog competing in the Working Shed Dog Class must earn a total of five (5) passes to earn the
WSD title. Multipliers of the WSD title are not available.
Champion Shed Dog (CHSD) – A dog competing in the Champion class must earn a total of 100 Championship points to earn
the CHSD title. Multipliers of the CHSD title are not available.
Championship Points Structure
1st – 35 points
2nd – 30 points
3rd – 25 points
4th – 20 points
Pass but not place – 10 points.
Elite Shed Dog (ESD) – After earning the CHSD title, a dog com

On April 22, 2018 Josey competed in her first shed antler hunt put on by Fox Valley Retriever Club. She found her antlers and received her first pass out of 5 for her working shed dog title. Josey – URO3 UAGI USJ CA GRCH RATN Sand Spring Outlaw SPOT-ON CGCA CGCU RN THDN TKI RATN A.T.D. R.E.A.D. is trained and owned by Tom P of Crawfish Chesapeakes. You can follow Josey’s adventures on the Crawfish Chesapeakes facebook page by clicking here.

Besides the UKC Elite Shed Dog Series there is:

North American Shed Hunting Dog Association – NASHDA’s goal is to create a fun event for those looking to use their dogs to find shed antlers. You can read their rules and regulations here.