The truffle dogs... and not just
For a truffle puppy dog (which means that it has received truffle imprinting) without pedigree, the price starts from 200/250 €. With pedigree the price is around 700/800 €. For a puppy already trained for the search, however, the price fluctuates around 600 €. The adult dogs already capable instead can reach 2000/3000 €.
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If we think about it, without them we would not have the chance to taste truffles in our dishes; they are our precious seekers, thanks to which we can taste this flavor. Of course it takes a good trainer master too, who can teach him all the techniques of the trade. Truffle dogs are trained as puppies (from 3 months of life) and initially it's all a game: they are smelled a rag or a ball impregnated with truffle smell and then simply play. Very used to instill in the dog the smell of truffles, it is the truffle oil, which the truffle hunters already precociously put into the dog's porridge. During the training it is very important to establish a bond of trust between the dog and the truffle hunter, and that the research activity is always considered as a playful experience and not a "job". The command "leave" is essential to avoid the risk that, once you find the truffle, the dog eats it! It is always necessary to give a small prize to the dog after he has brought his task to term, giving him a small treat for example.
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First of all it is good to remember that there are no regulated breeds for truffle hunting, by law any dog can be used. But there are undoubtedly some races that are more suitable than others, either because they have a more developed sense of smell, or because they are more suitable for training or because they are tireless and resistant. First of all, the Lagotto Romagnolo, true wizard of the search, obedient and also suitable for less expert truffle hunters. Other breeds indicated for this activity are: the Cocker Spaniel, the Spinone, the Jack Russel and the timeless Pointer and Bracco. These last ones are decidedly more stubborn and it is more difficult to train them because they are easily distracted; but once they are ready, they are perhaps the most proficient of all. However, the overwhelming majority of truffle hunters have a mixed truffle dog, according to the local opinion they would be the best; in Piedmontese dialect they are called taboj (pronounced: "tabui"), and they are absolutely faithful. In any case it is worth stressing the fact that each dog is different from the other, even within the same litter, and therefore each one is unique and with different character.
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Perhaps only some elderly truffle hunters still believe that this is a method that gives more results to the search and think that not feeding the dog the night before can push it more in this activity. But in reality, if we think about it, how is it possible that the hungry dog, therefore not in full form and weak, makes a good job? The search is tiring and the dog must have the energy necessary to face the whole day without getting tired after a short time. It is good therefore not to hesitate in providing him with the nutrients he needs to get a good performance and put him in a good mood.
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