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Dogs are a key element of any successful truffle growing operation, so it's not surprising that truffle growers are very interested in their selection and training. There have been countless discussions over the years regarding the ideal breed, how a truffle dog should be trained, even what gender it should be. This debate is fully justified when one realises that if the dog fails to locate so much as a single truffle this will mean hundreds, if not thousands of dollars of lost revenue. Over the years this could mean the making or breaking of a truffiére.
Gareth Renowden, owner of Peg, the first champion truffle hound in New Zealand, has the following recommendations. He suggests that one of the most important considerations is finding a dog that the truffle grower can work with, and that fits in with circumstances such as the family it will need to fit in to. The dog's breed is also important and there will be endless debate about the breed with the best nose for truffle hunting, but beagles such as Peg have certainly proved their worth. Gareth also suggests that it's best to get the dog as young as possible, preferably at eight to twelve weeks of age, and it may be worth following the old advice to work with a dog of the opposite sex. Another piece of wisdom is to visit the litter of puppies with a truffle in your pocket, and take the puppy which shows the most interest in its smell.
For further information see Gareth Renowden's "The Truffle Book", published by Limestone Hills Publishing, 2005.
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