Go-to-Ground

This is a popular event at trials. It is an attempt to simulate natural hunting. Terriers enter an artificial earth or "den" (9"x9" tunnel), hunting the rat they scent within. Terriers are judged both on speed and working ability.

Although it really is more or less a game for the terriers, it is a good training step towards the day the terriers may do real earthwork. It stimulates that instinct, native in the Jack Russell terrier, to do what they were bred for...to hunt! Some terriers will not work in an artificial environment, but others enjoy this event every time out! It may be the closest your terrier ever gets to this type of "work". Terriers scoring 100% are then ranked by time.

Go-To-Ground Rules

  1. The judge's area must be screened from the terriers' entrance hole.
  2. Schooling prior to the competition on the day of the trial is NOT permitted. Any violation of this rule shall result in disqualification of the schooling terrier from competition in Go To Ground at this trial. No entry fees will be refunded.
  3. The starting line shall be placed two feet from the entrance hole. Timing starts when the terrier is released. The terrier is to be released so that all four feet are on the ground before crossing the starting line and may not be pushed or thrown towards the hole by its owner. Any violation of this rule, accidental or intentional, shall result in disqualification of the terrier from the class in which the violation occurs. No entry fees will be refunded.
  4. After the terrier is released the handler shall remain next to the entrance hole. Commands and encouragement may be given.
  5. It is the responsibility of the exhibitor to pick up any class advancement score sheets at the secretary's stand, present them to the Den Steward and collect them after the judging is completed.
  6. If a terrier qualifies in the Novice class and thus is eligible for Open, no post-entry shall be charged on that day if the exhibitor wishes to enter the next division. The fee will be the same as pre-entry.
  7. Go-To-Ground Rules shall be posted at the Go-To-Ground site.
  8. Terriers which have previously scored 100% in a Novice or Open class at JRTCC, JRTCA or AWTA trial may not, under any circumstances, compete in a Novice or Open class again at any JRTCC sanctioned trial (e.g. Puppy Champions are automatically eligible to compete in Adult Champion Certificate classes, with proof of certificate, at one year of age .
  9. The Go-To-Ground Division is comprised of three classes: Novice, Open, and Certificate. Terriers must proceed through each level to be eligible to compete in the next.