FAQ Truffle Dogs
What kind of dogs do you use for truffle hunting?The breed we use most frequently is the German Shepherd dog. This dog has been bred for decades to be a reliable working companion, and yet good in the home. We occasionally use Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and Belgian Malinois (Belgian Shepherds) as well. These breeds have consistently been shown to perform well at detection and are used world-wide for police and search and rescue training.
I’ve heard that poodles are good for truffles. How come you don’t use them?
With over 45 years combined experience in training dogs, it is our experience that poodles do not have the proper temperament for serious detection work. That is not to say that a poodle cannot be trained to detect truffles, simply that other breeds of dogs will be more successful. The U.S.D.A. uses beagles to search bags for contraband agriculture because they are small and do not scare passengers. However, a beagle in the Beagle Brigade only has to pass a 60% accuracy rate to be working. In contrast, a drug or bomb dog must have a 100% accuracy rate to be certified as a police dog. We select truffle dogs with the same care and scrutiny that we select drug and bomb dogs, which have been sold to N.A.S.A., the U.S. military, and over 25 police departments nationwide.
How long does it take to train a truffle dog?
Once the dog enters our truffle training program, it generally receives two to four months of scent training, obedience training, and search work before going out “on the job.”
What kind of techniques do you use to train a truffle dog?
We use the same proven techniques used to train drug dogs, bomb detection dogs, cadavar dogs, and search and rescue canines.
Where do you get your dogs from?
We select our dogs from top European breeders and import them into the United States every 8 weeks. We occasionally work with domestic breeders to find working-quality Labradors.
Can I get a truffle dog anytime?
Yes, you may order a truffle dog at any time during the year. However, we require that you provide us with a truffle sample of the variety that you would like your Truffle dog to detect to finish the scent detection training, and so the best time to finish truffle training is right before your truffle season begins. If you are just starting out in the truffle hunting business, we can assist you in finding truffles that can be found in your area.
How much do truffle dogs cost?
A fully-trained truffle dog is $12,500. This cost includes handler training, a guarantee, and genetic health guarantees for two years for the dog. A good dog can easily recoup this investment quickly, depending upon the market in your area for truffles.
How do I know that the dog is really going to sniff out truffles?
When we complete the handler training, you will be shown how to handler your truffle dog, and you will be shown how to maintain training. Much of this training involves practice searches with real truffles, so you can witness firsthand that your dog does indeed find buried truffles.
What guarantees do you provide?
We provide a working guarantee on the training of the dog during handler pickup. Additionally, we provide lifetime refresher training for the dog if needed. A complete handler course is included in the cost of the training.
I have a dog that sniffs well. Can you train him to be a truffle dog?
Probably not. In order to train a truffle dog properly, he or she must spend several months at our kennels learning to detect truffle odor. In our experience, 99.9% of house pets do not make good working dogs because they lack the genetic drives needed to continue to search and search and search relentlessly. It is for this reason that we import most of our dogs from specialized European kennels.
I don’t want a Shepherd or a Lab. Can you train a different breed to be a truffle dog?
Occasionally we can train Golden Retrievers or other hunting dogs to truffle. However, most hunting dogs get distracted by game, which is why we use Shepherds. Please contact us if you would like to discuss an alternate breed.
Do truffle dogs make good house pets?
Some truffle dogs make good house pets, and some are too high-energy to be comfortable to live with, and thus they should stay in outdoor kennels. When you order your truffle dog, we will discuss your living situation, such as whether or not you have children or other pets, and pick out a dog that will match your particular lifestyle. Each truffle dog is carefully matched to your living and working situation to provide a seamless transition from our training center.
I have a truffle farm that I’m just starting out with. How can truffle dogs help?
Truffle dogs are crucial for efficient truffle farm work. A trained truffle dog can easily located dozens of truffles on your seeded farm within a short time, leaving you time to run other aspects of your business, not spend hours and hours tromping in the forest.
I live in Europe. Can you ship me a truffle dog?
Yes. We regularly ship dogs to Europe. Depending upon the Euro, cost to ship is generally about $500-$700 USD.
Can the dog be trained to sniff out both white and black truffles?
Yes. Each truffle variety smells different to the dog, and during training, we will train the dog on whichever varieties of truffles that you would like. You must provide samples of truffles for training purposes.
What kind of truffles can the dog learn to detect?
We can train truffle dogs to detect all four commonly eaten truffles - the black Perigord Truffle (Tuber melanosporum), the white or Alba Truffle (Tuber magnatum), the Black Summer Truffle (Tuber aestivum), and the Bianchetto truffle (Tuber albidium pico). If you require that the dog be trained on a different species of truffle, please contact us.
I also hunt for morels. Can the dog be trained to sniff out morels?
Yes, we can train a truffle dog to sniff out morels, chanterelles, and porcini mushrooms. Adding more varieties of mushrooms extends training time. Each variety added will cost an additional $400 to train.
What kind of payment plans do you offer?
We take all major credit cards. We require a deposit of 50% of the full purchase price upon an executed contract. The remaining 50% is paid upon delivery of the dog at our facility and after a demonstration of the dog’s abilities.
Can you deliver the dog to me?
Yes. We suggest that you come to our facility in Los Angeles or North Carolina to pick up and train the dog, however we can deliver the dog to you anywhere in the world and conduct the handler training on-site. Additional travel fees apply.
Call us today at (310) 980-7269 to discuss your Truffle Hunting Dog!
Frequently Asked Questions about Truffle Dogs
