🐾🏆✨ Scent Work is one of the newest ANKC dog sports, and it lets your Corgi do what they love most — sniff, search, and succeed! 🔍 Follow Your Corgi’s Nose! Scent Work is all about harnessing your dog’s incredible sense of smell in a fun and rewarding sport that builds teamwork and confidence. ✨🐾 🙂
Scent Work is one of the newest ANKC-recognised sports, and it’s quickly becoming a favourite for clever, curious dogs like our Corgis! Inspired by the work of professional detection dogs (those that sniff out things like drugs or explosives), Scent Work lets our companions use their natural superpower — their nose — to search for and indicate a specific odour.
Dogs are trained to find one of four scents (birch, anise, clove, or cypress) hidden in different environments. They might signal their “find” by sitting, pawing, staring, or another clear behaviour.
Scent Work is particularly good for dogs who may not thrive in more traditional dog sports — whether they’re reactive around other dogs, or just prefer a quieter, low-impact activity. It builds confidence, sharpens focus, and is enormously rewarding for both dog and handler.
Best of all, it’s about teamwork. While your Corgi does the sniffing, you’ll learn to read their signals and help guide them through the search area. For our fun-loving and intelligent breed, Scent Work offers both mental stimulation and the joy of working closely with their people.
Busy Brains, Busy Noses – Corgis are smart and curious, and Scent Work gives them a fun job that keeps their minds sharp.
Confidence Booster – Great for dogs who might be shy, reactive, or unsure in a busy trial setting.
Low-Impact, High Fun – No jumping or running required; just sniffing out the prize at their own pace.
Teamwork Time – Strengthens the bond between handler and dog as you learn to trust and “read” each other.
That Corgi Drive! – As herding dogs with a strong work ethic, Corgis love having a purpose — and Scent Work gives them just that.
If you’re keen to try Scent Work with your Corgi, the good news is that getting started is easy — and a lot of fun!
Start Simple at Home
Many handlers begin by introducing their dog to one of the recognised odours (birch, anise, clove or cypress) using a small scent vessel or tin. You can hide the odour in boxes, around furniture, or in the garden — your Corgi will quickly catch on that sniffing pays off.
Join a Class or Workshop
Local training clubs affiliated with Dogs NSW often run beginner-friendly Scent Work classes. These are a great way to learn the rules, watch experienced dogs work, and build your confidence as a team.
Learn the Rules
Scent Work is governed in Australia by the ANKC (Australian National Kennel Council), and Dogs NSW follows these rules at all sanctioned trials. Reading through the Dogs NSW regulations will help you understand how trials are run, the search elements used, and what judges are looking for.
Enter a Trial
Once your Corgi is happily searching for odours and you feel ready, you can enter an official Dogs NSW Scent Work trial. Trials are welcoming and encouraging, with many first-timers — and Corgis always attract a cheer squad!
For full rules and regulations, please see the Dogs NSW website.
Members enjoy discounted specialty show entry fees, as well as many other benefits.
