I know everyone does not train for real world tracking, many folks simply enjoy training dogs to compete in various manmade games that are light-years away from the reality of serious tracking. I have no problem with any of the games or the methods used to train dogs to excel within the perameters of the rules. I do think when a certian game rises to prominance and folks begin to breed the individuals that excel in the games, there is a very good possibility of dumbing down the natural instincts.
I cant think of a better example than asking dogs to trail something that is walking a few ft behind. The really good tracking dogs that I have had the pleasure to train and use all have one thing in common. They have a burning desire to catch what they are tracking. Track dogs should be bred first and foremost to pass this trait on to the next generation. After that, consideration should be given to the nose, stamina, obedience, and in the case of hounds, their voice. I think many of the breeds have already been dumbed down to the point of uselessness. Anyway, I feel blessed that the hounds have been largely overlooked by the show crowds and still have their natural instincts to track and catch.