After a few challenging years, Tracking in search and rescue work has experienced a remarkable revival. We spoke with Detlef Kühn – founding member of the IRO and an internationally renowned judge – about the reasons behind this upswing, the role of the IRO, and his impressions as main judge at the 29^th IRO World Championship in the Czech Republic.

Mr Kühn, Tracking has gone through quite an interesting development in recent years. Looking back, how would you describe the situation?

There was a time when the conditions at tests and world championships were far from ideal. Suitable tracking grounds were often in short supply, and truly skilled tracklayers were hard to find. This considerably reduced the appeal of the discipline and, naturally, affected the motivation of the handlers. When the circumstances aren’t right, teams simply can’t perform to their potential.

What has changed for Tracking to be seen in a more positive light again?

The quality of test conditions has seen a significant improvement, both nationally and internationally. The IRO has worked hard to ensure equal opportunities for all competitors. Today, we can truly say that conditions are fairer, the organisation more professional, and the teams are receiving the recognition they deserve.
 

The recent developments are a strong sign that Tracking is moving in the right direction.

As main judge for Tracking at the 2025 IRO World Championship in the Czech Republic, what stood out to you most?

It was a real pleasure to see that we had excellent tracking grounds to work with. The areas were not only of outstanding quality but also prepared in a way that allowed for tracks that were both challenging and fair. That’s a big step forward compared with the past. I was particularly impressed by how seamlessly the organisers, judges and tracklayers worked together.

Could you briefly explain what, in your view, makes Tracking such a demanding discipline?

The dog first has to find an identification article that marks the start of the track. From there, it follows a track of roughly 2,000 steps with eight changes of direction. Along the way, eight different objects are placed – made of materials such as leather, wood, plastic, light metal or fabric. At the end, the dog must locate and indicate the tracklayer, who may be either lying or sitting. It’s this combination that makes Tracking such a demanding discipline. It requires utmost concentration, precision and stamina – from both the dog and the handler.

How did the teams perform at the 2025 World Championship?

The results speak for themselves: eight out of eleven handlers successfully completed the discipline. That clearly shows the impact of the improved conditions. It certainly hasn’t become easier – quite the opposite, the tracks were demanding – but the teams were able to demonstrate their full potential under fair circumstances.

In your view, how is Tracking likely to develop over the next few years?

I’m very optimistic. We’ve built a solid foundation to further increase the appeal of the discipline in the long term. Fair and demanding test conditions are essential, as they motivate handlers to stay engaged and keep training. If we stay on this path, Tracking will continue to play a central role in search and rescue work in the years to come.