While harnessing the inherent olfactory abilities of canines has been some component of obedience competition, nosework as a entire sport is more modern with the first sanctioned title association being founded in 2009. The National Association of Canine Scent Work (NASCW) is the first and primary North American titling association. The majority of these trials are held in the United States requiring Canadian competitors to travel in order to compete with this association. The Canadian based nosework association is the Sporting Detection Dogs Association (SDDA) offers scent competition with a slightly different framework of rules.
In NASCW competition, dogs are required to learn to detect three scents in four search elements. Depending on the level of competition, there may be zero, one or multiple hides consisting of either one or multiple scents.
NASCW Scents
- Level 1: Sweet Birch
- Level 2: Anise, Sweet Birch
- Level 3: Clove, Anise, Sweet Birch
In order to achieve a title, dogs must pass each element in a single competition. The four tested elements are interiors, exteriors, vehicles and containers.
The SDDA venue offers a similar style of competition with levels of skill evaluated with a number of scents in a variety of search elements including containers, interiors and exteriors.
SDDA Scents
- Level 1: Wintergreen
- Level 2: Pine, Wintergreen
- Level 3: Red/White Thyme, Pine, Wintergreen