The dog runs about, with its snout almost thrust into the ground, sniffing through the undergrowth. It backtracks and sniffs again. Suddenly, as if struck by a strong instinct, it begins to stroke the ground, barking. His human companion, the trifolau, rushes to the spot and carefully, guided by the use of his iron hoe, the long, curved sapin, he enlarges the small hole to gently extract the truffle with his expert hands. Then, contentedly, he sniffs the intense, lasting aroma.
The night becomes the truffle-hunter's friend, as darkness protects him from indiscrete eyes and cool temperatures intensify the scents making it easier for the dogs to detect their "prey". At each find, the professional trifolau must take detailed notes on the location, date and particular characteristics of the truffles, to ensure that the following year the hunt may be as successful.
Dogs have a leading role in the truffle hunt. Those chosen for the job are not pedigree, as these are often considered to have a certain weakness of character due to their in-breeding, rather they are mongrels of uncertain ancestry: the result of years of cross-breeding and an ingrained ability to sniff out scraps of food.
These types of dogs are born with this unique skill, but training school (such as the one of Roddi) helps to instill discipline into their efforts. The courses start at the end of winter and only last a few months, but they are very intense and hard, as they are designed to train on the basis of hunger: the dogs are rewarded with treats, as they learn that the truffle has to go to the owner. This develops the unique relationship between the trifolau and his dog that is crucial during the hunt.
During training, the trifolau never uses a whip or excess force towards his dog, as this would be inhumane and would only ensure the opposite effect: the smell of a truffle will make the dog run away for fear of being punished instead of making it think of the treat, such as a crust of bread, it will receive as a reward for its find.
