Lure Coursing FAQ

What is Lure Coursing?

A simulation of chasing game by using a set of pulleys on a specified layout to challenge the running skills of your dog. Also an excellent form of exercise that sighthounds really enjoy!

Do they use real rabbits?

No, lure coursing uses "lures" that are usually plastic bags tied to the string that navigates the layout.

How does it work?

A machine, usually a starter motor, turns a wheel which pulls the string along the layout. The pulleys make turns that simulate game running, and test the dogs capability to "course" prey.

What happens at a trial?

The trial secretary puts all the dogs in a draw by breed and class (open or field champion). The running order and blanket designation are derived from the draw. The dogs run by breed and in trios. First they go in one direction of the layout, then for finals they go the opposite direction. The judges score the course for each hound, and it gets posted for all to review. For Best of Breed runoff (the best open vs. the best Field Champion) they run the forward direction again.

How can they tell the dogs apart?

Blankets are assigned for each course during the draw. The running order is (facing the lure, l to r) yellow, pink, blue. No call names are supposed to be used where the judges can hear, as they are to judge by blanket color.

How can I prepare my dog?

The best training involves running. I take mine out running with me virtually everyday. If you have the right pack they can self condition if they are inclined to do so while they are playing, but you need lots of space for them to get to full double suspension gallop. Alternatives include: having your dog run back and forth between you and a partner; hiring a youngster with LOTS of energy to be chased; and/or have your dog take up swimming. The emphasis here is that the dog MUST BE IN GOOD SHAPE!

Can my dog get hurt?

While it is rare, as the sport is set up to be safe and safety minded, there is an inherent risk. Yes, and the more out of condition that he is the greater the probability! This is an athletic event and as such risks at top performance are possible.

How does my dog get scored?

This is always a bit complicated the first few times you are exposed to it. Lure Coursing lends itself to a more consistent and comparative performance of hounds based largely on the restriction of variables. Coursing, regardless of the type measures:

Speed
Follow
Endurance
Agility
Enthusiasm

BUT, The Best Score of All, is That BIG SMILE on Your Dog's Face When He returns!

What is ASFA?

American Sighthound Field Association is the original organization that codified rules, policies and procedures to hold lure events that end in titles. (They celebrated their 25th anniversary in 1997). The AKC and CKC also have lure coursing programs that establish means to get titles for lure coursing (AKC is based on "majors" much like conformation, while the CKC has guidelines more in line with ASFA.)

Who is the Huntmaster?

The Huntmaster who starts the course and tells the handlers to retrieve their hounds also is responsible for keeping an eye on the hounds for their safety.

Who is the Lure Operator?

The lure operator controls the speed of the lures and is responsible for the safe running of the hounds

What supplies do I need?

SHADE & WATER are obligatory for your dog and nice for you. Additional levels of paraphernalia will become an integral part of your coursing equipment. Most folks end up with some common items such as: blankets, slip leads, vetwrap (not allowed in blanket colors), spray bottles, adhesive tape, extra hats, a towel or two, Ex-Pens, etc.
I always recommend some First Aid items for yourself or others, it does not matter when a dog is in trouble. These include Pediolyte (or any form of electrolyte replacement), which is very important for dehydration from any source, a small drinking bowl (I use a dog frisbee or nylon camping cup), more water, plastic bags, alcohol pads, gauze and tape.

Does the fastest dog win?

The most common mistake is to think of this as a race (see How does my dog get scored? Above)! It involves more than clocking a dog from start to stop! The above categories have point ranges and are totaled for each "course" (a dual use term that in this case means running of up to a trio of dogs in one of the stakes (another dual use term, which in this case means a set of a breed that shares the same position in the title quest, i.e. Open Basenjis, as opposed to Field Champion Basenjis)).. From one to several judges independently assess each course.

Can all breeds take part?

It is readily apparent that many dogs can and do course, however, the organizations (AKC, CKC and ASFA) that promote the sport and maintain the records, identify Sighthounds as:
Afghan Hounds, Basenjis, Borzois, Greyhounds, Ibizan Hounds, Irish Wolfhounds, Pharaoh Hounds, Salukis, Scottish Deerhounds and Whippets; and Rhodesian Ridgebacks

 

What are the different titles that can be earned?

All have a set of titles that ascend as the rest of the dog world has for any event, i.e. CD, CDX.. ASFA, being the oldest of the lure coursing organoizations use: Field Champion, Lure Courser of Merit (LCM) and has a multitude of levels of LCMs, each requiring so many BoBs with so many points (dogs defeated). AKC has Junior Courser (ability of dog to prove that it can run the lures twice under different circumstances), Senior Courser (competitive wins over other dogs), Field Champion winning of so many "majors" (number of dogs competing in that event), and is looking at additional titles. CKC has followed mostly the ASFA pattern based on points per dog defeated.

What does it mean to recover your dog?

After the course (or during if he designates your dog) the Huntmaster tells you to recover your hounds. This is rarely a problem with Wolfies!!! However, the first training any of my hounds get is recall!! I reinforce with command, unique whistle, motion (a circle with my arms) and FOOD!! I want this command to ALWAYS work!! Always praise your dog no matter his results ö remember that up until this time you have probably scolded or punished him for running away, so get the message clear!! Also, there are times that the score may not reflect what you felt your dog did, DO NOT take that out on dog in any fashion (even brooding silence) wrong message!!!

What to do after your course?

Walk your dog and get a little running in to cool him off!!! This is a good time to tell him how good he was and rub him as well as pet him. Like all athletes, he must have a cool down period for his muscles to avoid cramps! I use about 10 to 15 minutes after my course and cool them off with walk, then walk and trot, then trot and walk. I intermittently massage thigh muscles (drive) and triceps of forelegs (reach) muscles as though I was kneading bread to get the excess blood back out of muscles. Your dog will love this contact and it helps ease him back down after running! If hot or hard run, I give water (usually with some electrolyte solution) in small but frequent amounts to help cools system. I have also used the garden sprayer bottles to wet the dog down if weather is real hot or dog is very hot. Some folks use the little sprayer bottles as a means of cooling the dog while limiting the water intake.

How do I find trials?

Contact your breed club who should have a coursing rep or at least a set of contacts for coursing clubs. Also, ASFA has a website at:
  www.asfa.org
which should have a list of all areas and events.
AKC's website is:
  www.akc.org and email to info@akc.org

How can I practice my dog?

Like all athletes, you MUST TRAIN your dog so that (s)he can run without straining itself! This means you need to condition the dog through exercise. Although, lure coursing itself is a great training tool, it must be worked up to before active participation. Most sighthounds will run, and most run with all of their instinct in full force. While any number of techniques have been developed, you should select one that suits you and your dog. One means is to have two folks the dog will run to standing well apart from each other and having the dog go from one to the other. As pups you may use favorite toys on strings or fishing poles to be able to have them chase with minimum risk of injury.

How can I find out if my dog likes it?

Generally, for lure coursing it is easier to prepare yourself than your dog. One easy way to slide into this sport is to attend a trial, test or match and run your dog in the "fun runs" after the event (See How do I find trials? Above). Almost all lure events include "fun runs" after the main event. These are for puppies, novices and dogs that have become too fieldwise. Sometimes clubs charge a nominal sum for these runs, and most operators will do everything they can to encourage the dog to run.

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