Today we're going to talk about a controversial topic, as it's very difficult for truffle hunters to determine which dog breed is ideal for truffle hunting. There isn't one breed specifically designed for this activity, and it's worth noting that traditionally, shepherd dogs were used for this purpose, collecting wild truffles. Now, in truffle-growing areas, farmers are increasingly favored.
A truffle dog requires more than just a well-developed sense of smell; it also needs to be in peak physical condition, obedient, not easily distracted, patient, and calm, among other qualities. It's crucial to remember the strong bond between the dog and the truffle hunter, as this will be a determining factor in the search for black truffles.
In plots with truffle-bearing holm oaks, the trend has been to choose hunting dogs like hounds or podencos for training, as they typically have good physical condition and a highly developed sense of smell. It's important to keep in mind that no dog becomes a truffle hunter simply by being taken to the field; they need months of training, correction of their behavior, and to learn to work in synergy with the truffle grower.
Females usually give better results than males, since their sense of smell is more developed, but ultimately, a well-trained dog will be just as effective as a dog of a specific breed.
The best truffle dog breeds are:
- The Lagotto Romagnolo, or Roman Water Dog, has a very keen sense of smell, is easy to train, and is usually obedient.
- The German Shepherd is characterized above all by its docile nature and athletic build.
- Dachshunds have a highly developed sense of smell as well as a keen sense of hunting.
- Labrador, similar to the German Shepherd, will be a good companion in the search for the Black Truffle of Teruel
Learning methodology for the truffle dog:
- Stage 1: This stage begins when the dog is still small. The dog must be taught to respond to its owner's call, to sit on command, and other basic commands that will facilitate this process. The scent of the truffle is introduced during playtime with the dog, and it is even given as a treat to encourage stronger neural connections in its olfactory cortex. The truffle is hidden in porous containers and then gradually removed to introduce the dog to the game of finding it.
- Stage 2: To this previous exercise is added the gesture of giving a treat after finding the truffle, therefore the idea of reward is activated after searching and finding the truffle.
- Stage 3: Increase the obstacles and difficulty so that the dog sharpens its sense of smell and develops its truffle senses
It is also important to keep in mind that the dog must know how far to mark, as it should not damage the Black Truffle when scratching, and much less, eat it.
