Tracking takes the concept of canine search and rescue and creates a  performance event for our dogs. Undoubtedly you’ve seen movies with dogs  following an escapee or lost person. These tests allow dogs to  demonstrate their ability to recognize and follow human scent in various  environments.

Beginning levels require dogs to follow a track, 30 minutes to 2  hours old, 440 to 500 yards long with three to five changes of  direction. The goal is for the dog to follow the scented track to locate  an article left at the end of the trail by the tracklayer. The owner  follows the dog on a long leash and can encourage the dog during the  tracking test. The handler and dog go ahead of the two judges and the  tracklayer. Any spectators must be more than 50 yards behind the dog and  handler. The judges are somewhere in between, but far enough back so as  not to distract the dog in any way. 

The most advanced tracks have the dog searching a track three to five  hours old with multiple articles placed along the track by the  tracklayer. In some cases, there may be overlaying cross tracks laid by  other individuals. In other cases, the surfaces may include streets,  parking lots, buildings and other urban type areas.