Ed Presnall, Author, Consultant, Judge, Trainer

An international authority on training dogs and handlers to track he is a leading authority on general health and training issues, Ed is an author, judge and consultant. As a member of the Dog Writers Association of America (DWAA), Ed has been nominated ten times and twice awarded the prestigious Maxwell Award, the Oscar of the Dog World. He has authored numerous short stories, articles and columns for a variety of dog publications. His published books include:

Novice Nosework (2004)

Track Laying 101 (2003)

Mastering Variable Surface Tracking: The Component Training Approach (2003)

Introduction to VST (2001)

Component Training, A Companion Guide for VST (2000)

The Clumber Spaniel Handbook (1998)

Component Training For Variable Surface Tracking (1997)

Recognized by many involved in the sport of tracking as being one of the leading and most innovative trainers he and his dogs have earned 14 TD titles, 4 TDX titles, 5 VST titles, and 3 CT titles in the last ten years while training dozens of other breeds and their handlers to be able to attain advanced titles with their dogs.

He is currently working on several new book projects including a new TD/TDX training book emphasizing Component Training, a series of children’s books on pet ownership and responsibility and a forthcoming co-authored layman’s approach to Canine Scenting, Sight and Structure In Dog Sports. Additionally he is preparing to introduce a mystery series involving dog sports.

Ed is acknowledged as one of the leading trainers in the sport. He has earned a total of 5 Variable Surface Tracker (VST) titles with five different breeds of dogs while training dozens of other breeds and their handlers to advanced titles. He has personally earned tracking titles on nine different breeds of dogs. He is currently personally training his Clumber Spaniel, English Setter, Belgian Tervuren, Weimaraner and Field Spaniel for advanced titles. His students, both in the USA and Canada are currently working at the VST/UDT/UTDX (urban tracking) level with a Vizsla, Beagle, Basset Hound, Field Spaniel, Portuguese Water Dog, Bouvier Des Flandres, English Springer, Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, Doberman, Miniature Wirehaired Dachshund, and Golden Retriever. Additionally he personally assists many of those who are currently working on or have passed the VST test with specific training or component problems.

Ed is a tracking judge for the American Kennel Club (AKC), North American Mixed Breed Registry (NAMBR), and Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA). He has judged TD, TDX and Urban Tracking Dog matches in Canada.

Ed and his dogs have appeared on several television shows and promotional events including the Animal Planet series Breed All About It! and the AKC Eukunuba Classic. In June of 2002. Ed’s Field Spaniel “Race” Am/Can CH CT Calico’s Hot Pursuit Del Prado Can TDX participated as one of only five Champion Tracker teams in the first AKC National Tracking Exhibition in Villa Park, IL. In September 2003, his Border Collie “Dillon” CT Wildfire Smoking Gun NA, NAJ participated in the First AKC National Tracking Invitational in Asheville, NC. In September 2005, his Irish Water Spaniel “Beacon” CT Beaufields Shining Light NA NAJ participated in the Second AKC National Tracking Invitational in Asheville, NC.

In preparation for the proposed Urban Tracking venue in Canada, he has invested considerable time and effort in promoting Urban Tracking throughout Canada by participating and instructing in over a dozen tracking workshops and seminars throughout Canada.

When not writing, consulting or judging the sport, he is involved in teaching tracking classes (both privately and for several tracking clubs) or hosting seminars in basic and advanced tracking around the United States and Internationally.