Dog & Handler Certification
The Standard That Makes the Credential Mean Something
NATDA evaluates dogs honestly, on real ground, during real harvest season. Three tiers. One registry. Any breed that can do the work.
Designed for Where American Truffle Farms Actually Are
No formal truffle dog certification standard exists in the United States. No handler can tell a client 'my dog is certified' and mean something standardized by it. NATDA fills that gap with the first breed-neutral, performance-based credential that applies to any dog capable of doing the work — evaluated in the field, not in a classroom, during real harvest season.
For Growers
Hiring a truffle dog team? Ask for their NATDA number. We'll verify it at natda.us.
For Handlers
Not sure if your dog is ready to test? We've outlined what we look for at each stage — not to tell you how to train, but so you always know what you're working toward.
Three Tiers of Certification
Each tier builds on the last. Progress at your own pace — the standard is fixed, the path is yours.
For
Farms in proof-of-concept stage (years 1–7)
Dog finds any truffle present. Orchard is producing. Both documented.
The WTD is NATDA's highest-volume credential — designed for the reality of where most North American truffle farms actually are. A WTD evaluation documents that the orchard is producing and the dog found truffles. That's exactly what pre-commercial growers need and will pay for.
Requirements
- Dog locates any truffle present on the test ground
- Orchard productivity documented — confirms the site is producing
- Dog and handler performance both recorded
- Test environment: prepared buried samples or live production ground
- Any breed eligible — performance-based, not breed-specific
For
Farms beginning commercial harvest
Dog finds only ripe truffles. Ready for commercial client work.
The CTD is the primary professional credential for commercial work. A CTD team has demonstrated that the dog reliably selects only ripe, aromatic truffles — the standard restaurant buyers and commercial growers require. CTD holders are listed in the NATDA public registry, verifiable by any client.
Requirements
- Dog finds only ripe truffles — unripe specimens passed over
- Evaluated on live production truffière during active harvest season
- Consistent, readable indication behavior under commercial field conditions
- Handler demonstrates proper excavation and site restoration technique
- CTD registry number issued upon certification — verifiable at natda.us
For
Farms supplying premium restaurant accounts
Dog rejects unripe and compromised truffles. Multi-species capable.
The MTD is the highest credential in North American truffle dog work. MTD teams operate at the level premium restaurant accounts demand — the dog discriminates not just for ripeness but rejects compromised specimens, and works across multiple truffle species. MTD holders are eligible for handler-elected board seats.
Requirements
- Dog rejects unripe and compromised truffles — not just finds ripe ones
- Multi-species capable — evaluated across more than one truffle species
- Evaluated on live production ground during harvest season
- Eligible to serve as a NATDA-approved evaluator for WTD and CTD assessments
- Eligible for handler-elected NATDA board representation
"The credential matters. But the point is the dogs."
How to Get Certified
Review the Standards
Read the full evaluation criteria for your target tier. Know exactly what the evaluator will be looking for before you apply.
Find an Approved Test Site
Evaluations are conducted on NATDA-approved ground during active truffle season. Contact us to find a test site near you.
Submit Your Application
Complete the application form and pay the evaluation fee. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Field Evaluation
Your team is evaluated by a NATDA-approved evaluator on real ground. Results are issued within 14 days.
Join the Registry
Certified teams receive their NATDA number, certificate, and listing in the public registry.
The NATDA Registry
Every certified team receives a unique NATDA number — verifiable at natda.us. Growers hiring a truffle dog team can confirm credentials instantly. The registry is public, current, and maintained by the NATDA board.
Also from NATDA
The Stewardship Seal
A separate certification track for harvest lots — not handlers. The Seal certifies that a specific batch of truffles was located exclusively by a scent-trained dog and can be traced from ground to sale.
Ready to Get Certified?
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Contact us to discuss your team's readiness and find an approved test site near you.