Get The Inside Track! Meet the Breed's 13 Elite ChamPion Tracking Collies

A Collie Tracking Champion . . . if you haven’t had a chance to meet one, there may be a good reason. Since the inception of the Champion Tracking Title in 1995, there have only been 13 collies in breed history to attain the title – eight roughs and five smooths. The first Champion Collie Tracker was the tri rough dog, CT Highcroft Regal Rogue UD TDX, "Reggie," who attained the title March 20, 2005. He was bred by Leslie Jeszewski and owned by Sylvia and Donald Schultz. Six years later, on May 22, 2011, the first smooth earned the title. She was CH CT Carealot’s Mesmeriz’n Eyes VCD2 RN OAP OJP, "Rivah," owned by Patricia Schroder and Roger Schroder and bred by Tiffany Mercer and Tammy Mercer. Both Reggie and Rivah were veterans at the time they became champion trackers at nine years old.

It was back in 1936 in Mount Kisco, New York when tracking got its first paw print in the sport of dogs. It was originally included as part of the Obedience Utility class. There were several pushes through the years to create a more advanced tracking test but it wasn’t until 1980 that the Tracking Dog Excellent title was approved by the American Kennel Club. In the good ol’ days, before urban sprawl, all tracking tests were done in open fields or open spaces. However, due to land development, things had to change and in 1995, the Variable Surface Tracking (VST) title was born which brought a myriad of complexity and challenge to the sport.

From a 2012 Collies Online Performance Week article called “On The Right Track” . . . 50 year CCA Member, Sylvia Schultz gave us a wonderful tutorial on what it takes to earn a Tracking Champion title. At the time of the article, there were only four Collie Champion Trackers in the United States and three of those Champions were owned and handled by Sylvia. Her fourth and final Collie Champion Tracker attained the title two months later, on November 4, 2012.

“There are three levels of competition for tracking titles offered by the American Kennel Club. The first two levels, Tracking Dog (TD) and Tracking Dog Excellent (TDX) use the dog's scenting ability to locate articles left on a blind track previously walked by a stranger to the dog. This takes place in vegetated fields and light woods. The basic TD level requires locating one item, usually a dark glove, at the end of a track. The TDX level, increasingly difficult, has more items to find, a longer, older trail, and more difficult cover. The third level of tracking, a huge leap from TDX, is the Variable Surface Tracking test (VST). VST requires a blind track of 600 to 800 yards with between one third and two thirds of the total track plotted on hard surface such as parking lots and walkways made of asphalt, concrete, or gravel. Because these tracks go between and around buildings, some of them very tall, the scenting conditions are constantly changing with scent swirling, lifting and dropping in pools. Most parking lots have vehicles, both moving and stationary, and a lot of pedestrian traffic. By the time one enters VST tests, the team must be prepared to work a track with many distractions, search under and around vehicles, approach buildings, negotiate stairways and pavilions and locate four previously planted articles (fabric, metal, leather and plastic). On the VST track, the handler, as the dependent partner, follows wordlessly and in amazement as the many hours of work in all kinds of weather pays off. We cannot scent, so we must trust completely that our canine partner is "on the right track."

Now it's time to meet all 13 Champion Trackers. Beginning with the first in 2005:

#1 CT Highcroft Regal Rogue UD TDX (2005) "Reggie"

"About that time (1995), I heard of a few dogs passing (mostly high-powered German Shepherds and Goldens). I still didn’t commit because I knew what VST required and I just didn’t think my beloved and beautiful Collies had the tenacity or drive to compete. With encouragement from a close friend I took another tri-color Collie who had his X and UD and dabbled in variable surface training. As I watched Reggie (later CT Highcroft Regal Rogue UD) he bounced along happily having no problem with finding articles even on a hard surface. Because of his inept handler (me) it took Reg quite a few tests to finally pass, becoming the very first CT Collie. If anything else I learned training him, it was that I cannot do the track: it is strictly up to the dog as he has the scenting ability. Giving up control to “the one with the harness” is very difficult for those of us used to the formality of the obedience ring." –Sylvia Schultz

#2 CT Shepherd’s Song Of Praise UD TDX (2006) "Nicky"

"Once Reggie was retired, I realized tracking was in my blood, so the next dog I trained was Nicky (CT Shepherd’s Song of Praise UD). Nick passed on the first try because with Reggie’s recent and sudden death I was too miserable to “help” Nick at all . Remarkably, he did his thing and found all the articles, ignoring circling cars trying to figure out what that handler and dog were doing; at one of his interim articles, a loose dog confronted us and almost did us in." –Sylvia Schultz

#3 CH CT Carealot’s Mesmeriz’n Eyes VCD2 RN OAP OJP (2011) "Rivah"

"Tracking is my number one event to do with my dogs. Although earning the titles is a big thrill, working with the dogs up to that point is a challenge and great fun. The way I look at it, basically, the ball is in the dogs’ court, they are the ones with the noses and we as handlers have to learn to read the indications. I’ve found these smoothies, especially the bitches, to be very sassy, independent types. Rivah was my first Champion Tracker (CT) as well my first Champion (CH). She had a good work ethic for tracking and enjoyed it. When she passed the VST to earn the CT, as far as I know, she was the first smoothie, first bitch, first champion of record to earn the CT. She was a tough, beautiful and fun girl. She got off the VST start flag very nicely, had a couple of problem spots, especially around the bus barn, but worked through it. When she was headed for article #4, it was the biggest thrill of my dog showing career! I’m very proud of “Rivah The Divah” and miss her so much." –Pat Schroder

#4 CT CH ROSEPOINT RAVE REVIEWS UDX TDX (2011) "Toby"

"Next Collie of mine to pass was Toby (CH/ CT Rosepoint Rave Reviews UDX). Toby had to go on sabbatical before he earned the CT because he had “start” issues. No point in doing entire tracks if the dog won’t start cleanly! Taking a year off and doing only starter tracks really paid off because he finally gave me some clean starts and passed at the DuPage Government Center." –Sylvia Schultz

#5 CT CH Rosepoint Tribute CDX (2012) "Ryan"

"Last Collie I trained for VST was Ch CT Rosepoint Tribute CDX. Ryan, a gorgeous sable male, was my most unforgettable CT. The day he passed (third attempt) his track ran close to a railroad track which was down a slight embankment; perhaps because of recent movement or the fact that the actual VST track had been laid up a hill and NOT along the train tracks where the scent had pooled, he had trouble distinguishing between the two. From experience, I recognized that Ryan was really good, so I trusted him completely. He rewarded me with a memory which I keep replaying to this day. Having found all but the final article, Ryan was tracking confidently and heading for the corner and long wall of a tall building in front of us. As he neared the corner, he stopped on his own, put his head up as if to say, “I forgot something.” He then circled BEHIND me and proudly sat about 35 feet ahead of me, indicating a flat metal disk in mid-calf grass. I had not seen it and I then realized he had been following the tracklayer out of the field when he remembered his JOB to find article #4." My dear Collies have done so much for me. Now that I cannot go into the fields I doubt there is another CT in my future. My baby, Scout (CH Chatham’s Memory Keeper CD TD) earned his TD at eight months and would LOVE to pursue VST. I feel he has the ability to get advanced tracking titles, but I doubt I can guide him any longer. Not all TDX dogs have the stamina and drive required to complete a VST track; as with all dog-related endeavors however, the joy is in the journey together, even more than in that final find!" –Sylvia Schultz

#6 CT Carealot’s Moovin’ So Marvelous VCD2 RN VST MX MXJ (2013) "Miss Moo"

"Miss Moo was my second CT. That splashy coat reminded my husband of a Holstein calf, thus the call name, “Miss Moo.” Moosy presented more than a few challenges! We really struggled to earn a TDX. She could get distracted so easily, but the day she passed that test she did a beautiful job. Several of my tracking cohorts told me we couldn’t stop now! Forged ahead, we did. Moosy got more confident in her tracking abilities and more focused. That was amazing to watch the change in her. One thing I thought was a little strange, I always carried water when we trained but she’d always refuse. Test day I carried water as usual and I’ll be darned, at a point she was having a little trouble, I offered water and she took it! Missing “The Moo” too!" –Pat Schroder

#7 CT GCHB Highcroft Bourne Ultimatum CD RN HT (2018) "Brett"

"Brett" is the only rough collie in the history of the breed to have achieved a BEST IN SHOW and Champion Tracking Title.

#8 CT Wild Wind Howlin Smokestack Lightnin BN RA SCN SEN CGC TKN (2018) "Electra"

Electra is By GCHS Cyndella’s Splitting Image x CH Wild Wind’s Dressed To Kill CDX RA HT AX AXJ. Bred by Laura Bergstraser, Michelle Bergstaser and Jessica Lafrenier and owned by Stuart Lease and Galann Lease. She earned her CT in 2018.

#9 CT Carealot’s Meant To Be Magical VCD2 RN MX AXJ OF CGC (2020) "Marlo"

"Marlo is my third CT. Here again, I think these smoothies enjoy presenting challenges! There were days she’d do a wonderful track and the next time in the field, not so much. Again with cohorts pushing, nagging and most of all, ultimately, helping, we continued. The first leg of the VST was past a couple of brush piles – Mr. Woodchuck’s home. Marlo thought it a good idea to investigate. This was not the start I’d hoped for. I stood my ground, using all the best handling skills: patience, backing up, quietly telling her to “track” . . . finally she proceeded down the track. There were a few other places of interest for Marlo and I had such a cotton mouth and pounding heart when I saw the last article – Lord don’t let me die on the track now! Miss Marlo is 10-1/2 now and doing fine. We still track, go for walks and schmooze a lot. All three dogs passed on the first try . . . what’s the saying about “no amount of planning takes the place of pure, dumb luck!" –Pat Schroder

#10 CT CH Wild Wind’s Traveling Man BN RN SWA SCE SBE CGC TKN (2020) "Travis"

Travis is By CH Wild Wind’s Free Fallin CD RA PT NA NAJ x GCHP Bit O Heavens Sorceress CD RN PT. Bred by Laura Bergstraser, Michelle Bergstaser and Jessica Lafrenier and Owned by Stuart Lease and Galann Lease. He earned his CT in 2018.

#11 CT MACH2 Trinity All That ‘N Then Some RN MXS MJG XF T2B SWE SCM SCM (2021) "Flair"

#12 MBISS GCH & CT Chelsea Here Comes The Sun, VCD1 CD BN TDX VST MXP MJP CGC HIC (2022) "Rory"

"My good boy . . . my Sun King . . . on this momentous day our Rory passed his Variable Surface Tracking Test with his partner Paula Cingota at the Southwestern Rottweiler Club of San Diego’s Variable Surface Tracking Test at Southwestern College in Chula Vista, California. Rory’s track was the 4th one drawn, and he began about 11AM. It was Easter Sunday, and the day was warm and sunny. I was unable to follow along because two days before I had fallen and broken my leg and was in a wheelchair. But his trainer and handler, our friend Paula Cingota, was there for Team Rory, and I was just a cheerleader. Tom and I waited at “Base Camp” to hear the news. Rory’s VST track was 640 yards long (235 vegetation and 405 non-vegetation), three different surfaces (concrete, mulch, grass), these articles: small food tin, small plastic container, scarf, and leather glove, four turns, and with many distractions: students, construction vehicles, cars, loose dogs, food and litter on the ground from Easter egg hunts. Rory is a steady, confident worker who completed his VST track in 16 minutes with a bounce in his step and a happy tail wag to the judges and the team. Rory passing this tracking challenge gave him the AKC Champion Tracker Title. He joined a very elite and accomplished group of collies." –Jeannette Poling

#13 CH CT Chelsea Kissed by the Sun, BN VST TDX OA OAJ HIC (2022) "Natalie"

"On July 10, 2022 our Natalie had quite a day: she earned two new titles and also made CCA Collie history TWICE, with her trainer and handler Paula Cingota. Natalie passed her Variable Surface Tracking Test at Southwestern College campus on a beautiful warm Sunday morning at the German Shepherd Dog Club VST test in Chula Vista, California. Natalie’s track was 664 yards (1/4 of a mile), and she tracked over blacktop, grass, concrete and also across a road. The items she found were a plastic dish, metal cookie tin, scarf, and a leather glove. Being a college campus with summer school in session, there were many distractions: students, construction vehicles, bicyclists, cars, loose dogs, food and litter on the ground. Natalie completed her VST track in style and in 12 minutes, beating her Dad’s pass in April by four minutes. This tracking success earned Natalie the AKC Variable Surface Tracking title or VST. She also passed this test on her first attempt. The VST was the final requirement she needed to be designated an AKC Champion Tracker or CT. Natalie is the 13th Champion Tracker Collie. Our Rory, her father, is the 12th Champion Tracker Collie and so these two I believe, are the first father and daughter Champion Trackers in CCA history. I am so proud of them and the lovely sound intelligent beautiful dogs Gayle Kaye breeds at her Chelsea Collie Camp. As Natalie’s Track layer said, “This is the best day ever!” –Jeannette Poling

Feature Story by colliesonline.com :: October 15, 2022 | Contents

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