The Fun Follows Function or F3 workshop was initially set up in 2008 with the idea of promoting and preserving the hunting Dachshund or Teckel by offering information about the breed in English from knowledgeable and experienced sources. We have been inviting European hunters who did an outstanding job presenting the large array of tasks performed by hunting Dachshunds in Europe. These tasks were explained further through the outdoor exercises and training with the dogs.

Throughout the entire workshop the main emphasis is to create the opportunity for participants to experience a pleasant time while sharing a common passion. In avoiding any political dilemmas or turbulences inherent to many clubs and organizations, this workshop is entirely set up and sponsored privately by the initiators.  

The F3 Hunting Workshop has gained interest with other groups and has therefore  expanded its focus. The importance to provide information and to increase public awareness for using blood tracking dogs as an essential part of ethical deer hunting has become one of our main goals.  

The other goal of the F3 Hunting Workshop is to preserve the hunting in hunting dogs, and in particular in our target breed: the Dachshund or Teckel. Den hunting has been a crucial part of the breed, as well as of other earthdogs. In order to test traits that are closely linked to den hunting, training or testing with live quarry is needed.  

The fox den trial has to be held in a licensed fox pen. Animal activists have been attempting to ban these pens. Distorted views of these pens were distributed by animal rights activists to negatively influence the general public, portraying cruelties with the penned animals. The contrary is true. Anybody who has been to these pens witnesses the animals being well taken care of and properly protected from the dogs. 

Another important aspect of the breed is tracking shot deer. Dogs have been more and more restricted in hunting all over the world and in several states it has been quite a difficult process to reintroduce dogs in deer hunting, albeit for the sole purpose of recovering shot deer as part of ethical hunting.

Therefore, please support organizations which fight to maintain the heritage of hunting dogs, like the NC Sporting Dog Association and let's be more proactive in protecting our and our dog's passion. It is due to endless efforts of the lobbyists of such organizations that we are still able to hold the fox den trial. Thank you!!