Understanding JRTCA Certificates: Natural Hunting, Go To Ground, and Trial Recognition

One of the most common questions I hear — especially from people new to the breed — is:

“Is Go To Ground the same thing as hunting?”

Short answer: no.

Longer answer? The JRTCA recognizes several different types of working evaluations, and while they are related in purpose, they are not interchangeable. Understanding the distinction helps preserve clarity — and clarity matters when you’re talking about a working breed.

The Natural Hunting Certificate (NHC)

The JRTCA Natural Hunting Certificate Below Ground in the Field is exactly what it sounds like: recognition of natural earthwork performed in the field.

This is not a simulated environment. It involves real quarry, natural earths or dens, and the terrier and owner working together in real conditions. A sanctioned working judge evaluates the performance, and the certificate is awarded for demonstrated ability in an authentic setting.

It represents instinct, ability, and partnership under real-world circumstances.

It is also the highest working certificate awarded by the JRTCA.

That distinction matters.

Go To Ground (GTG): What It Is — and What It Is Not

Go To Ground is a structured trial environment designed to evaluate a terrier’s instinct and willingness to enter an artificial earth.

It is controlled. It is standardized. It allows for consistent evaluation.

In a GTG trial, we are looking at:

• Willingness to enter

• Voice

• Determination

• Focus on quarry

• Persistence within a defined time frame

As a Go To Ground judge, my role is to evaluate those elements according to the rules and standards set forth by the JRTCA.

What GTG is not:

• It is not natural hunting.

• It is not a substitute for field work.

• It is not a guarantee of field success.

It is a tool — one that helps assess instinct in a controlled, fair environment.

That controlled environment allows more dogs and owners to participate, learn, and demonstrate ability without the variables that natural hunting brings.

There is value in that structure. But it’s important not to blur lines.

Trial Certificates and Recognition

The JRTCA also offers other forms of trial recognition, including Sporting Certificates and Trial Certificates that reflect performance in organized events.

These evaluations measure different qualities — structure, athleticism, trainability, performance — depending on the event.

Each serves a purpose.

None replace natural work.

And none exist in opposition to one another.

Why These Distinctions Matter

When terminology gets fuzzy, expectations get fuzzy.

If someone believes a GTG title is the same as a Natural Hunting Certificate, that misunderstanding can create unrealistic assumptions. If someone dismisses GTG entirely because it isn’t field work, that also misses the point.

Each evaluation serves a different role within the broader goal of preserving a working terrier.

The JRTCA has maintained these distinctions intentionally. Recognizing them helps protect the integrity of the breed and the credibility of its working programs.

A Working Breed, Multiple Pathways

Not every terrier will hunt regularly. Not every owner has access to field opportunities. Structured trials allow instinct to be evaluated in ways that are accessible and repeatable.

At the same time, natural hunting remains the foundation upon which the breed was built.

Understanding the difference doesn’t divide the community — it strengthens it.

Clarity allows us to appreciate each certificate for what it represents, without overstating or diminishing any of them.

And when you’re talking about a working breed, precision matters.