Today, November 3, 2025, pre-registrations officially open for the highly anticipated III National Truffle Dog Competition Villa de Graus , an event organized by the Association of Truffle Growers and Harvesters of Aragon that is part of the VI Graus Truffle Fair 2025 .
The event, which will be held on November 29 and 30, 2025 , promises to bring together the best teams of hunters and truffle dogs in Spain in an exciting competition that highlights the skill, sense of smell and connection between humans and their canine companions in the search for the black truffle of Aragon (Tuber melanosporum) .
A well-established event on the truffle calendar
Following the success of last year's edition, the competition returns to Graus (Huesca) with more anticipation than ever. Last year, the event was a highlight of the 5th Graus Truffle Fair , offering the public a unique spectacle of precision and camaraderie. If you missed it, you can relive the previous edition in our article, " 2nd National Truffle Dog Competition Villa de Graus 2024. "
In this third edition, the estate where the event will take place will be located in the Parking of the Gradense Recreational Center , with coordinates 42.19132437680255, 0.34111472987642333 , an ideal space to host the different phases of the competition before an audience that grows more each year.
How to participate
Pre -registration will remain open from November 3 at 12:00 pm until November 15, 2025 at 12:00 pm , or until the 32 available places are filled.
👉 You can submit your application directly from the official pre-registration form .
It is important to remember that this pre-registration does not guarantee participation , as all applications will be reviewed by the organizing committee. Confirmation of places will be sent by email or WhatsApp by November 19th , and selected teams must formalize their registration by paying the corresponding fee (€30).
Those interested can consult all the requirements in the complete rules of the competition or contact the organization via email hola@asociaciontrufaaragon.es .
Prizes and competition phases
The competition, which combines excitement, technique and respect for truffle cultivation, will take place in three phases: qualifying, semi-final and final , where teams made up of a hunter and his dog will compete to find the largest number of black truffles of Aragon (Tuber melanosporum) in the shortest possible time.
The truffles will be buried at a depth of between 5 and 10 centimeters , and the dogs must locate them solely by their sense of smell, without the help of tools unrelated to truffle hunting tradition.
The prizes will be as follows:
🥇 1st Prize: €600
🥈 2nd Prize: €300
🥉 3rd Prize: €150
In addition, the jury will assess speed, accuracy, and teamwork, rewarding not only technique but also the bond and ethics in the work between dog and handler.
More than a competition: a tribute to the truffle bond
The Villa de Graus National Truffle Dog Competition is not just a competition, but also a way to pay tribute to the true heroes of the mountains: the truffle dogs. Without them, the search for the black truffle of Aragon would be meaningless.
During the 6th Graus Truffle Fair , the public can enjoy a variety of complementary activities: tastings, exhibitions, sales of fresh truffles and truffle-derived products, as well as cooking demonstrations featuring black truffles. All of this makes Graus a true epicenter of Aragonese truffle culture .
If you want to learn more about the black truffle's maturation cycle, you can read our article The natural cycle of the black truffle and its optimal point of maturation , where we explain why this season —from November to March— is the perfect time to enjoy its unique aroma.
Requirements and ethical commitment
The teams must comply with a series of health and safety requirements: dogs must be vaccinated, dewormed, and in good health , and female dogs in heat are not allowed to participate . Furthermore, the hunter will be responsible for the animal throughout the day and must carry the dog's passport and microchip number .
The organizing committee will ensure the welfare of the animals with the presence of a veterinary service throughout the event, and reserves the right to expel any participant involved in conduct contrary to the ethics or legality of truffle cultivation.
A weekend to experience truffles in Graus
On the weekend of November 29th and 30th, 2025 , Graus will once again become the meeting point for truffle growers, hunters, gourmets, and black truffle enthusiasts. With the competition as its central focus and the 6th Graus Truffle Fair as its backdrop, the Ribagorza town will be filled with aromas, exhibitions, and experiences to be enjoyed with all the senses.
From Sentidos Truferos , as ambassadors of the black truffle of Aragon , we celebrate this initiative that unites tradition, respect and excellence, and we encourage all truffle enthusiasts to participate or attend as spectators at this event that has already established itself as an essential date on the national truffle calendar.
Key dates:
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Pre-registration opens: November 3, 2025 at 12:00 pm
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Pre-registration deadline: November 15, 2025 at 12:00 pm
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Confirmation of places: November 19, 2025
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Competition: November 29 and 30, 2025
📍 Location: Parking lot of the Gradense Recreational Center, Graus (Huesca)
💌 Contact: hola@asociaciontrufaaragon.es
📄 Contest rules: Download here
🐾 Pre-registration form: Access the official form
A date with the black truffle, instinct and emotion
The black truffle is synonymous with patience, intuition, and respect for the land. And there's no better ambassador than a truffle dog to remind us of that.
Don't miss this unique event in the heart of the Aragonese Pyrenees, where nature and gastronomy come together for a weekend of pure truffle passion.