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WHAT IS LURE COURSING
Lure Coursing is an activity designed for sighthounds to preserve and enhance their natural attributes of beauty, grace, and speed of a sighthound. A sighthound is any purebred Afghan, Basenji, Borzoi, Cirneco dell'Etna, Greyhound, Ibizan Hound, Irish Wolfhound, Italian Greyhound, Pharaoh Hound, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Saluki, Scottish Deerhound, Silken Windhound, and the Whippet. Some rare sighthounds are now being allowed to course, such as the Azawakh, Sloughi, and the Pedango.
Hounds compete only within their breed. They usually run in groups of three (but due to the number of entries, sometimes in pairs). These dogs are blanketed in the standard colors of yellow, pink, or blue. The blankets are used for identification on the field when being judged that is the only identification allowed.
The hounds will run the course twice, a preliminary run and a final run. Scores from both runs are then added together for a combined total score. Hounds are awarded placements and points based on where they finished and the number of hounds they competed against. The hounds are running not only for fun and to keep their natural abilities alive, but also for titles.
The first title they can earn is a Field Champion. To earn this title the hound must have 2 first placements (or 1 first and 2 seconds) and a total of 100 points. The next title is Lure Courser of Merit. For this title they must have 4 first placements and 300 points. They can go to on to earn LCM II, III, IV, etc., for each additional LCM title the requirements are the same but the points and placements start all over.
The hounds are judged in 5 areas. Follow, Enthusiasm, Agility, Speed, and Endurance. Follow is worth 15 points and is defined as "maintaining a path of reasonably close proximity to the lure's course." Enthusiasm is worth 15 points and is defined as "lively, single-minded interest." Agility is worth 25 points and is defined as "ability to move quickly and easily. Nimbleness." Speed is worth 25 points and is defined as "the rate of motion or progress. Credit is given to the dog which levels out low, stretching, and really drives." Endurance is worth 20 points and is defined as "stamina or physical and mental concentration."
The hound will be given a score for the course he ran based on the above criteria and also the judge's own personal way of judging. Some judges imagine an average course, then award or deduct points based on the dog's performance. While other judges imagine the perfect course then deducts points where he sees a dog being less than the best.
The equipment needed to course your hound is very simple. You will need a blanket (which most clubs offer a variety of sizes) or you can have your own made to fit your hound. You will also need a slip lead to release your hound at the line.
Now that you know what Lure Coursing is, what you can get out of coursing, how your dog will be judged, and what equipment is needed, you are ready!! But please, do not release your hound till you hear the "T" in Tally-HO!!
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