The black truffle grows underground (hypogean), so truffle hunters use truffle dogs to find and harvest it. These dogs are the key players in the collection of Tuber melanosporum. Therefore, if you plan to buy black truffles, you should be aware of the cost of harvesting them.
It's very difficult to determine which dog breed is ideal for black truffle hunting. There isn't one breed specifically suited for this activity, but they should possess certain characteristics such as a keen sense of smell, obedience, and energy. In this article, we suggest some of the breeds most in demand by black truffle hunters in recent years.
Traditionally, wild truffles were harvested with shepherds' dogs … Now they prefer breeds of dogs that were originally used for hunting.
As we've already mentioned, a truffle dog needs more than just a highly developed sense of smell to locate truffles underground by their aroma; it also needs to be in peak physical condition . Furthermore, it must be obedient, as it shouldn't be easily distracted , and it should also be patient and calm . And of course, a crucial element is the bond between the dog and the black truffle hunter . All these characteristics will be decisive when searching for the prized Tuber melanosporum.
The most outstanding truffle dog breeds
In this article we have compiled some of the most sought-after breeds by black truffle harvesters; these breeds meet all the qualities mentioned above: good sense of smell, obedience, vigor, and a good temperament.
The Lagotto Romagnolo to search for black truffle
The Lagotto Romagnolo is arguably one of the most highly regarded breeds for truffle hunting. This breed is renowned for its incredible sense of smell , allowing it to easily detect the location of black truffles underground by their aroma. It is also known for its high learning capacity , which facilitates training for black truffle hunting. Furthermore, it is a docile dog, always eager to work, thus fostering a strong bond with the truffle hunter.
The Brittany Spaniel to find tuber melanosporum
The Brittany Spaniel is also a highly valued breed of dog for black truffle hunting. This breed is remarkable for its vitality and energy; it is an exceptionally agile dog, which makes it ideal for running through the countryside in search of the prized black diamond. Furthermore, it has an exceptional sense of smell , allowing it to detect the scent of truffles buried underground. In addition, it is a very intelligent, attentive, and perceptive breed, making it easy to train for the task of finding Tuber melanosporum.
The Border Collie, truffle dogs for collecting Tuber melanosporum
The Border Collie is also a highly prized truffle-hunting breed. These medium-sized dogs are very active and hardworking . Originally bred to herd sheep, they thrive in the countryside and adapt perfectly to this environment . Border Collies are extremely energetic dogs , so it's essential to provide them with plenty of exercise, such as truffle hunting. While they love to run, they need their owners' full attention and a dedicated task, like searching for black truffles. This breed is also known for its intelligence; they learn quickly and respond well to praise , making obedience training crucial.
Springer Spaniel, the truffle dog for collecting black truffles
The Springer Spaniel is another favorite dog breed for black truffle hunting. This breed is known for being very friendly, sociable, cheerful, and docile, making it easy for the truffle hunter to work with them. This truffle dog breed is also highly intelligent, which facilitates its training to search for Tuber melanosporum in the field. Originally bred as a hunting dog, this breed also possesses the qualities of an active dog .
Labrador Retriever, in search of the black truffle
The Labrador Retriever is another breed of dog chosen by truffle growers for harvesting black truffles. This breed is known for the special bond it develops with people; it is very obedient , which is crucial for the relationship between the truffle hunter and the truffle dog. The Labrador Retriever is also a very active and hardworking breed, as it was originally bred as a hunting dog. Of course, it has an excellent sense of smell , great stamina, and loves to play fetch, all of which make it well-suited for harvesting black truffles.
Braco, in search of Tuber melanosporum
The German Shorthaired Pointer, in this case, is another breed of dog selected for black truffle harvesting. Originally bred for hunting, this breed boasts great physical stamina . It also possesses a keen sense of smell and intelligence, making it ideal for retrieving and tracking. Of course, training is necessary, but its inherent abilities already make it well-suited for the activity of harvesting Tuber melanosporum. Furthermore, it makes a good family companion and is known for being a loyal, friendly, and affectionate pet, fostering a harmonious relationship with the truffle grower.
Pointer, truffle dogs searching for black truffles
The Pointer is another dog breed selected by truffle growers for black truffle hunting. Its origins are unclear, but it excels as a working dog , primarily for hunting, to locate prey. It's also a breed with great physical stamina and high energy levels . It makes a good family companion , known for being an affable and affectionate pet , and can live peacefully with other dogs or pets. Furthermore, it enjoys walks, making it an excellent truffle dog.
Truffle dog training
As we have mentioned, although the dog breed stands out for its energy, good sense of smell and obedience, it should be offered training to perform the truffle hunting activity correctly.
Regarding training, experts recommend starting when the dog is still a puppy . They also recommend that truffle hunting should be a game for the dog , and that short words and positive reinforcement should be used.
When we think about buying black truffles, we must take into account everything surrounding the harvesting of Tuber melanosporum, such as the truffle dogs needed to locate the truffle underground.
