MASTER – Michael Pitisci
Thank you to the Border Terrier Club of America for inviting me to judge the Master Earthdog test at the 2026 BTCA Specialty. I enjoyed the assignment in 2021 and am looking forward to another great day watching the dogs entered in the master test this year.
I have had standard smooth dachshunds pretty much my whole life. I am a Dachshund field trial judge as well as an earthdog judge through the master level classes. I have shown my dachshunds in conformation as well as several other breeds as a favor to friends, including Border Terriers. Most of my dogs are Dual Champions with earthdog titles, obedience and rally titles, earning them versatility certificates from the Dachshund Club of America. From stories shared by many people with Border Terriers, it seems many are very active in participating in different events with their dogs too.
When time permits, I have held earthdog training and practice sessions at my home for people looking to introduce their dog to earthdog or to work through problems they are having at trials. This has given me the opportunity to work with other dachshunds from other breeding programs as well as many of the eligible terrier breeds. I have learned a lot about different working styles of different breeds during these training sessions. I have been fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to judge earthdog tests in Canada. I think it is exciting to see how quickly the dogs working at the Master level change their focus and search the den when the quarry is moved to the new location. The test also keeps the judge on their toes as well.
I wish you all well at the BTCA 2026 Specialty and much success.
Kind regards,
Michael Pitisci
SENIOR – Marian Shaw
I have been an earthdog judge since 2011. Living on a farm with terriers has taught me a lot about different breeds and their hunting styles. I enjoy being outside and watching dogs do the job they were bred to do. I currently have 1 Norfolk Terrier and 1 border terrier. We enjoy hiking kayaking scent work earthdog tracking and agility. I am looking forward to this year’s National Specialty and the amazing breed of the Border Terrier.
JUNIOR – Carol Soeldner
We’ve always had a dog when I was growing up but we didn’t know anything about dog sports at that time. When our terrier mix died in January 2002, Mum and I really missed him and we decided we wanted another dog. The gods led us to Border Terrier rescue and Trixie. We adopted her in March 2002 (she was just 5 years old and we were her 3rd home).
In the fall of 2002 Trixie & I went to watch an earthdog test and we were talked into entering IQ. Neither of us had any idea what we were doing, but we were bitten by the ED bug and the rest is history. As I got more interested in observing how all the different dogs worked I got involved in helping at trainings, etc. In 2008 this led to my attending a judges’ seminar, taking the test and starting apprenticing. I am approved to judge through the ME level and continue to unofficially apprentice at all levels as opportunities are available as well as help at trainings when I can.
My Borders and I have successfully competed in different areas of performance as well as earthdog. Trixie did earn her SE, but had to stop due to worsening arthritis in her back. Banjo came along, but he had no interest in earthdog (he loved tracking); Buzz loved ED and earned his ME; Fox earned her ME; Chirp has his SE but had to retire due to arthritis; Sponge has no interest in ED; Buttz and Tweet have just started their introduction to ED. We all continue to be a work in progress.
Thank you for the honour and opportunity to judge at our National Specialty.
NOVICE – Gail Warnick
I got my first border terrier in the early 90’s and have been hooked on the breed ever since. I was introduced to Earthdog at a specialty in Gardner, Massachusetts in the late 90’s. Ron Sebastiani gave a talk about the sport, and me and my little brown dog were off and running! I have gotten several dogs to their master title and one dog to an Endurance 10 title. I think it is very important to keep the instinct in the breed. I am honored to judge at the 2026 specialty where my Earthdog journey began.
INTRO – Carol Mock
I got my first Border Terrier in 1991 and was introduced to AWTA go-to-ground events soon after. It was love at first sight, for me as well as for the dogs. This was just before the AKC began sponsoring the sport and developing new classes, eventually culminating in the Master test. I was extremely lucky to have a young Border then that could, seemingly, do no wrong in earthdog and who was a gifted natural hunter. She was a great teacher. I was also very privileged to spend time in New Jersey with JoAnn Frier Murza and the Beanfielders while they were working though the new Master test, and introducing newbies like me to natural hunting. I became a judge myself not many seasons later.
For me earthdog is as much about education and schooling (dogs and handlers) as it is a fun field event: a way to see what really makes a terrier or dachshund tick, to honor its heritage, and, at best, to begin to experience the ancient partnership that is possible between human and dog hunting and working together. Even after all this time I can’t remember a weekend judging where at least one dog did not come up with something totally unexpected, either hilarious or breathtakingly brilliant, or both.
Thank you to the Specialty Earthdog committee for inviting me to judge, and to everyone entering our specialty test.