| Lure coursing is one of the fun
activities in which your Irish Wolfhound can take part. Here are
some basic questions and answers about Lure Coursing, and links to more
detailed information.
What is lure coursing? A simulation of chasing game by usiong 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 plastic bags tied to the string that navigates the layout. How does it work? A machine, usually a starter motor, turns a whell which pulls a string along the layout. The pulleys make turns that simulate game running, and test the dog's capability to "course" prey. Who holds events? In North America there are three main governing bodies that sanction lure coursing trials; AKC - American Kennel Club ASFA - American Sighthound Field Association CKC - Canadian Kennel Club Each of these organizations have different rules, regulations and award separate titles based on the performance of your hound. Other events such as Straight Racing and Oval Racing are governed by Large Gazehound Racing Association (LGRA), North American Oval Track Association (NOTRA) and Canadian Amateur Racing Associtation (CARA). These types of events will not be covered in this faq. 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:
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.) What is CSFA? CSFA is the Canadian Sighthound Field Association. This organization promotes the sport of CKC lure coursing in Canada, maintains the points system (top ten) and publishes a quarterly magazine CanFan. Editor: Barb Barclay, 2116 Windsor Street, Abbotsford, British Columbia V2T 6L9 , phone or fax 604 855 7427. 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. They will not start the course until you are ready. Follow their instructions and if you are not sure about something ask the Huntmaster. It is always a good idea to let them know this is your first time and they will spend a little extra time with you. 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 (not recognized as a sighthound in Canada) ASFA and CKC offer Miscellaneous Stakes for Rare Breed Sighthounds. 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 and awards a Field Champion (FCh) and Field Champion Excellent (FChX) titles. 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 – 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. Or check you some of the links below. 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. How old does my dog have to be to compete? Hounds must be at least one year of age to compete in a trial. This is a minimum! Irish Wolfhound growth pattern must be considered, some seasoned competitors will not let their hounds run in a sanctioned trial until they are 1.5 to 2 yrs of age. This is a personal choice but always keep the hounds best interest at heart. If in doubt discuss it with your breeder. Most clubs have puppy runs but make sure the people holding the trial know how old your puppy is. Hounds competing in ASFA and CKC events must be precertified before they can compete. What does precertification mean? Hounds must be proven or tested to be able to run with another hound of the same breed or similiar running style without interfering or playing with that hound on the field. Testing in Canada involves running a course of at least 600 yds with at least one other hound. How do I get started? Using the links below find out where and when the next trial or practice is being held that you can attend. Practices are often held following all the running on the first day of a trial. Ask the club secretary if it would be possible to try your hound and find out what it will cost (usually a small fee is required). Also find out what time they think you should be there so you don't miss it. Ask if they know if there will be any IWs running and when they might be running. What next? Try and get there early enough to see the Irish Wolfhounds run! See if this is something you want your hound to do and see if your hound shows any interest. Talk to competitors, they have a wealth of experience and are usually more than happy to share their experiences. Is there anything I should do while I am waiting for the practice? Always encourage your hound. If they see spot the lure, plenty of praise, praise and more praise! Even if you are grass skiing to the starting line! Keep this time limited, IWs get bored very easily. Irish Wolfhounds will lure course however small game and plastic bags may not interest them. This is OK! It just means that this sport is not for them and there are many other ways to share time with your hound. However, if they are enthusiastic and do run a practice this can be the first step in fun sport for both you and your hound. Test your hound (see precertification). Once you have the signed certification form you are now set to enter a trial. Get a premium list for the event you want to enter and follow the entry directions. If you have any questions contact the club secretary. What does a stake refer to? In ASFA there are three stakes or divisions. Veteran stakes are open to novice hounds and field champions alike with the only qualification of having reached the age of five years of age. Open stakes are for the novice dogs only, hounds that have already earned a Field Champion are in a different stake. In CKC lure coursing the hounds are not split and they all run together, open, Field Champion and Veterans (six years of age). ASFA and CKC trials sometimes have single stakes where the hounds can run the course on their own. They are judged but do not contribute to the points/titles. Running in single stakes can be used to focus a hound, especially one that may have been excused or dismissed for whatever reason. Many thanks to Mo Aiken & Don Hamilton, for preparing the answers for the questions on this page. Links for further information on coursing
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