Earthdog
The American Working Terrier Association, founded in 1971, is the older of the two US programs and the one with the stronger working-terrier identity. It runs artificial den trials and also certifies real hunting work in natural earths. Den trials are open to 20 named terrier breeds and Dachshunds, plus any Feist, Rat Terrier, terrier cross or Dachshund cross small enough for a 9-inch earth — no registration papers required. Trials are scored out of 100 (50 for reaching the quarry, 50 for working it); a qualifying run needs 100%. AWTA's current rulebook is dated March 2025.