The black truffle, or Tuber melanosporum, is a subterranean fungus that grows underground, and harvesting it is usually a difficult and laborious process. However, dogs have proven to be excellent allies in the search and location of these fungi, thanks to their keen sense of smell and their ability to detect the chemical compounds emitted by truffles. Being able to buy truffles online at Sentidos Truferos with just one click involves a prior process that we will examine today from the perspective of training truffle-hunting dogs.
Training to find fresh truffles
Teaching a dog to find fresh black truffles is no easy task. It involves a training process that lasts several months. Truffle dog training isn't for everyone; it's best to leave this task to a professional with the appropriate experience and knowledge.
The first thing these professionals must do is select a dog that has the right personality for truffle hunting, that is, one that is curious, has a good sense of smell, and is obedient.
If the dog is a puppy, it must be properly socialized so it feels comfortable in different environments and situations and learns to interact appropriately with other dogs and people. If it is an adult, it must be socialized or should be socialized, because if it doesn't feel safe, doesn't know how to interact, or finds itself in an unfamiliar situation, it can experience stress or a distressed reaction that will be detrimental, preventing it from paying attention or learning anything you try to teach it.
The dog must learn to recognize the scent of a fresh black truffle . This can be done by placing a black truffle on a cloth and showing it to the dog to smell, thus impregnating our hands with its scent…
You can play hide-and-seek with your dog using objects to familiarize them with scent games. Later, you can play with a black truffle so they associate the smell with the search. Start by hiding the truffles in easier places at first and gradually make it more difficult, even covering them with dirt to make them harder to find.
When the dog finds the object and subsequently the black truffle, it should be rewarded with a treat, whether it's a goodie, a toy, etc. Positive reinforcement is key to maintaining the dog's motivation and ensuring that it continues searching for truffles.
Once the dog has learned to recognize the scent of the black truffle, it should be taken to the countryside to learn to search for it in a natural environment. Over time, the dog will refine its search technique and will be able to find truffles in larger areas and under different conditions.
It is important to remember that training and educating a truffle dog to search for black truffles requires time, patience, and consistency.
Breeds for hunting fresh truffles
All dogs can be trained to hunt for truffles, regardless of breed. Their exceptional sense of smell makes them all capable of learning to find fresh black truffles with proper training. However, it's true that some breeds have physical characteristics that may be better suited for this task. Very heavy dogs, very small dogs, more fragile dogs… although they could be trained as truffle dogs, their size, physical characteristics, or temperament make them less suitable for this work. Medium-sized, docile, and very obedient dogs are typically used.
Currently, there are several dog breeds that are particularly well-suited for truffle hunting , each with its own specific characteristics and abilities. Depending on the country, some breeds are used more than others. In aprevious article , we looked at some of the most commonly used truffle-hunting breeds, including the Bretton Woodcock, the Border Collie, the Springer Spaniel, the Labrador Retriever, and the German Shorthaired Pointer.
The breeds used for this activity vary from country to country. For example, in Italy, the Lagotto and the Poodle, small water dogs ideal for searching in cool, soft terrain, are frequently used by enthusiasts. However, in France and Spain, where the sector is more professionalized, other, more resilient breeds are used. These are typically hunting or herding dogs, both purebred and mixed (such as German Shorthaired Pointers, Brittany Spaniels, Podencos, German Wirehaired Pointers, Pointers, and Bloodhounds), adapted to harsh climatic conditions and rough, stony terrain. Highly intelligent dogs like the Labrador Retriever or German Shepherd can also be used.
Next, we'll look at some other dog breeds that are also popular for truffle hunting:
Lagotto Romagnolo
This water dog, originally from Italy, where it is widely used, is considered one of the best breeds for truffle hunting. It is a medium-sized dog with a dense, curly coat that protects it from harsh weather conditions and is perfect for cool, soft terrain. Its exceptionally keen sense of smell makes it an excellent truffle hunter.
Drahthaar
The German Wirehaired Pointer is a griffon breed originating in Germany. This long-haired hunting dog combines various traits due to its mixed bloodlines; it is a hound, a water dog, a bird hunter, and more. This versatility makes it perfect for truffle hunting, in addition to its excellent sense of smell.
Beagle
This breed of dog is known for its tracking ability and excellent sense of smell. Although small, it is very hardy and adapts well to different terrains. Beagles are excellent truffle hunters and have proven to be very effective at locating these fungi.
Hound
The Spanish Hound is a medium to large breed of dog traditionally used for hunting due to its keen sense of smell. For this reason, it has also proven very efficient in truffle hunting thanks to its excellent sense of smell and its ability to follow a trail.
Retriever
The Burgos Pointer, also known as the Burgos Braque, is a breed highly valued for its hunting skills and truffle hunting abilities. These medium-sized dogs are very hardy, intelligent, docile, brave, and hardworking, adapting well to different terrains and climates.
Hound
Podencos are another breed of dog used for truffle hunting. They are hunting dogs, very agile and with a great sense of smell, which makes them very effective for finding truffles in difficult terrain.
In conclusion, choosing the best animal for truffle hunting depends on several factors, such as the terrain and the handler's skill in working with the dog. However, the dog breeds mentioned above are considered some of the best for truffle hunting and have proven very effective at locating these subterranean fungi. In another article, we will continue exploring the different breeds used, such as the Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, Basset Hound, and English Spaniel.
However, it's important to remember that every dog has its own personality and abilities, and not all dogs are suitable for black truffle hunting, even if they belong to one of the most popular breeds. Truffle dog training won't be helpful in these cases, as it also depends on other factors.
When choosing a dog for truffle hunting, it is important to look for a dog with a strong sense of smell and good trainability, but above all a personality that is well suited to working as a team with its owner.
And if you're a truffle grower and your dog knows how to find black truffles perfectly, at Sentidos Truferos we offer you a platform where you can sell your truffles under the best conditions, where you can buy black truffles with just one click and without having to worry about anything else.
