The hunter and their dog
In any fantastic and enchanted fairytale world, the wood usually represents the setting for adventures where nature’s magic meets the cunning, bravery and determination of the protagonist, often accompanied by an animal sidekick who is surprisingly human. And the wood, with its smells, rustles and intense atmospheres is also the setting of truffle hunting, Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 2021.
A great acknowledgment for this ancient tradition, which is the result of various skills and practices, orally transmitted from one generation to another and that –still today- constitutes the cultural lifeblood of many rural territories in our Country. In the case of Unesco, what’s basically a practical activity –made of fatigue, nature’s times and sensory perceptions- is actually considered an intangible heritage.
This definition is determined by something that goes beyond the result of the hunt itself. Something about trust, stubbornness and magic, the same feeling driving the fairytale heroes, that -in the case of truffle- manifest in passing on the secrets of a proper art, as well as in the magical alchemy between the hunter and his dog.
Just like in fairytales, in the woods every hunter has a dog by his side. And it’s not just any dog. The experts, in fact, argue that, if in the past the animal could be less specialized, today some elements, like genetics, olfactory power, training and nutrition are fundamental to make it a special ally for the truffle hunt. Always according to the field experts, if once genetics was very underrated, today it’s important for the dog to have certain features. However, what skills should a truffle dog have?
Instinct and perseverance during hunting -that can also last for hours-, physical stamina, sense of smell and obedience to the hunter are certainly the elements making a difference. That is why that special bond between human being and animal is so fundamental. A bond made of trust and fatigue, training and experience, warmth and magic.
Because, if the dog’s smelling skills – superior to man’s, for physical and anatomical reasons- turn out to be profitable in finding the precious underground fruit, man’s ability to lead, educate and know the animal is just as good.
There is no rule: just as in fairytales something magical always happens between the protagonist and an animal, so in the world of truffle the bond between man and dog thrives on a unique understanding.
Experts say there is no real training method or, rather, everyone has their own. The relationship between the dog and the hunter is based on a game made of rules, trust and respect, which are the result of a process that requires time and sensitivity. Only by really knowing your dog you will be able to feed it properly. Being a truffle dog requires many energies: knowing the gait pattern- as well as the terrain features or the temperature- can affect the nutrition.
A good trainer must consider all these elements to guarantee the animal’s wellbeing. The magic of truffle happens underground, away from the sunlight. It is the same magic nurturing the bond between man and dog. A bond that renovates with every hunt, making it a unique experience. Unique just like truffle, earth’s most precious and mysterious fruit, whose beauty is unknown until it’s manifested in the sunlight.
