However, it goes without saying that training, education, and socialization should be put at the top of the priorities for such an active dog. As we sip our pints, a procession of truffle-inflected dishes – paté, gnocchi, poached cod in cream, creme brulee – rolls out of the kitchen. Other guests glance down at their fish and chips in confusion. Frost catches the appraising look in my eye. “It’s not all chef lunches and dog walks,” he says. “I work seven days a week from now until Christmas. No breaks. The week leading up to Christmas last year we sold 270 kilos of truffles. All delivered individually by me.” Hence the motorcycle. The week leading up to Christmas last year we sold 270 kilos of truffles. All delivered individually by me. Zak Frost Thank you very much for the training course on Sunday, I found it really helpful and I am sure my dog (Lux) really enjoyed it. Neal, East Riding of Yorkshire

For anyone pondering whether or not to read the book there is an episode of the Econtalk podcast that features Jacobsen talking about the book. Then Melissa’s off again, diving to the ground before Zebedee scoffs his find. “That’s truffle!” she announces in triumph, calling me over. I take a deep sniff of the earth. The smell is unmistakable – a sweet, heady scent, which seems much sharper than the deep, musky, sex smell I know from truffles in Italian restaurants. Have patience and don’t expect results overnight – it may take several months for your dog to learn how to hunt for truffles effectively. We pull up beside a handsome old farmhouse. Well-tilled fields, all ready for winter, stretch away across the downs, punctuated by small woodlots. “This grove really woke the whole interest in truffles again,” Frost says. “People started thinking: ‘Well, if this one place has them, it can’t be the only place.’ Now probably 50 or 100 people seriously hunt truffles in England, and lots of other people are trying to train their dog. I get those calls all the time.” The Bracco Italiano is an ancient dog breed originally bred for bird hunting. This breed has become popular among truffle hunters due to its keen sense of smell. These dogs are highly trainable and can easily be taught to identify the scent of truffles in different environments. In addition, they make excellent companions on a truffle hunt thanks to their friendly temperaments and loyal natures.

Came on this course not knowing what to expect. The insight that James gave with all his passion and experience was fantastic. It’s a great place to start learning about truffles! Ajmal

Don’t forget to clean up after yourself, as truffle hunters can have a negative impact on the environment if not careful. All of the above breeds of dogs make excellent truffle hunting partners, so if you are looking for a reliable companion for your next truffle hunting expedition, consider these breeds! Irish truffles used to be very poor — only 20g, very small, with no smell or taste,” he says. “We have spent a fortune developing them over the past decade. We use organic natural ingredients in powder form as a fertiliser to enhance the mineral content of the soil around the trees where the truffle nests occur naturally. It takes 10 years for a large truffle to develop. Year by year, the size, quality and flavour of the truffle improves. It is a very slow process, like watching a child grow.We can also undertake a “ desktop study” of your woodlands, looking at a range of information sources to assess your woodlands for the likelihood of wild growing truffles being present. This may be a sensible first stage before hiring a truffle hound. In 1875, a truffle hog could cost up to 200 francs. [4] A skilled truffler could more than make up for this investment from the high price of truffles on the gourmet food market. Jacobsen also researched the science of truffles and spoke to scientists and entrepreneurs trying to establish truffle farms. This is done by planting trees seeded with truffle spores and mycorrhizae, and is a very costly enterprise that takes years to bear fruit (so to speak).