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AKC Scent Work Demonstrations

Date: June 25 - June 26, 2025

Time: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Location(s):

Del Mar Arena

Unleash your dog's natural abilities ~

In so many dog sports the handler is in control but this isn’t true in Scent Work. Neither the dog nor handler knows where the target odor is hidden. The handler has to rely on the dog, and follow the dog’s nose to success. In Scent Work, it is the canine who is the star of the show.

The sport of Scent Work is based on the work of professional detection dogs (such as drug dogs, and bomb dogs), employed by humans to detect a wide variety of scents and substances. In AKC Scent Work, dogs search for cotton swabs saturated with the essential oils of Birch, Anise, Clove, and Cypress. The cotton swabs are hidden out of sight in a pre-determined search area, and the dog has to find them. Teamwork is necessary: when the dog finds the scent, he has to communicate the find to the handler, who calls it out to the judge.

All participants must be registered prior to the event day.

Pets are not allowed on the Fairgrounds - for the safety of all guests and animals. The only animals allowed on the grounds are service animals and animals on exhibit or used in entertainment

Category(s):

Animals

Contests & Competitions

Fun & Games