The competition within a breed consists of allowing the hounds to run in braces
or trios (provided that there are two or more hounds per breed) within each
stake in the breed, twice. Solitary breed entries usually run alone although,
with permission of the handlers, solitary entries with similar running styles
may be grouped to run together - but they will be scored separately by the
judge(s). For example if there was only one Pharaoh Hound and only one Ibizan
Hound entered at a trial the handlers might be given the option of having those
two run together.
In order to individually identify the hounds for purposes of scoring they are
clothed in a coursing blanket. The blanket colors are intense pink, yellow or
cyan. The blanket color is assigned to the hounds by random draw. Depending on
the trial each hound receives scores from one or two judges for each run. The
final placement within the stake is determined by adding together all of the
hound's scores and comparing that score with those of other hounds in that
stake.
Hounds can be excused from competition for the day for chasing (coursing)
another hound without interfering with the other hound's run. More serious
interference can result in a dismissal or a disqualification ("the aggressor in
a fight on the field"). Two dismissals in 5 trials is equivalent to a
disqualification. Disqualified hounds must be recertified as clean-running
before they can be entered to run against other hounds.
Although the exact definition of sighthound is a topic that can generate an
enormous controversy, in general they are dogs that hunt by sight and are
specialized for rapid running. The AKC has sidestepped the definitional
controversy by designating a sighthound as any breed whose parent club chooses
to call it a sighthound. As is discussed later in this FAQ the AKC is only one
of the lure coursing organizations (and the most recent entry into the field).
Specific breed eligibilities will be discussed separately under each
organization as the different organizations have slightly different policies
towards admitting breeds into competition.
The Italian Greyhound is classified as a sighthound in Europe where it is raced
in some countries, in the U.S.A. however it is classified as a toy by the AKC.
There are a number of rare breeds that are considered sighthounds or separate
breeds by at least some of their fanciers including (but not limited to)
Sloughis, Azawaks, Tazis, Peruvian Inca Orchids, Polish Chorts, Spanish
Greyhounds, Cold Blooded Greyhounds, etc. In some cases - i.e. Tazi's,
Sloughi's and Azawaks there is controversy over whether they are actually
breeds separate from the Saluki. There are excellent arguments on both sides
and we will sidestep this one also in this FAQ (in fact with many of these
breeds there is still controversy as to how the names are transliterated into
English - it is not our intention to take up this controversy, either.)
The ASFA allows racing greyhounds to be lure coursed under their NGA
registrations numbers or under the AKC ILP numbers.
The CKC does not recognize the AKC ILP numbers. The NGA hounds may be
registered with the CKC or lure coursed under their NGA numbers.
Each NGA greyhound has a certificate of registration from the NGA. This
document is a yellow piece of paper approximately 5 inhces in height and 8
inches wide. One the front is all of the registration information for the hound
including the name, breeder, and other information. In the top right hand
corner of this cerificate there are two sets of numbers:
When entering an NGA hound in an ASFA event you need to supply the Volume and
Certificate numbers, not the ear tattoo numbers. To add to the confusion
whenever an NGA greyhound changes owners it's given a new certificate of
registration with new Volume and Certificate numbers.
When the hound is finished growing road work will help in physical
conditioning. However, for the larger faster breeds (greyhounds, borzoi,
deerhounds and salukis) you must work them fast enough to get them to gallop so
that the powerful muscles used to flex and extend the back are conditioned.
Trotting is stiff backed exercise for a dog and the back muscles - which are
the key to a sighthound's speed - are not conditioned. Generally a hound turned
out to run in a large fenced area will not self exercise at a gallop for more
than 20 seconds - a typical lure course run takes 55 seconds. Letting the hound
exercise by chasing another dog or small game often results in a hound that
interferes or has not interest in coursing artificial lures. Extensive play
with the lure toy is better, and/or road work from a bicycle, car (this takes a
station wagon and two people and a SAFE road), golf cart or horse (the best
method for roadwork). In the larger breeds jogging with the owner is not fast
enough.
Getting the hound into running condition takes some dedication on the part of
the owner but once in shape the hound will maintain conditioning fairly well if
you go to trials at least twice a month.
However if you are hoping to practice the hound or wish to socialize it to this
sort of event you should bring it. Remember, you must keep your hound under
control at all times.
NO!
- Do to recent rule changes in both ASFA and AKC coursing you CANNOT enter
an unpracticed hound.
- Unpracticed hounds are quite likely to be excused or dismissed for
interference.
- Even worse they are likely to develop the habit of interference which
they would not have developed had they been properly schooled into lure
coursing.
Once you locate one, drive there with your hound!. Seriously though - locating
a lure coursing practice may be difficult. You have to locate some person or
club who is setting up practice events. First ask other sighthound owners if
they know of any practices. Practices may be set up by:
- Private individuals
- Clubs during special practice sessions
- Clubs at demonstations at dog shows and other public events
- Most clubs also attempt to run practices after their lure coursing trials
Since practices may be harder to find than actual competitive events, if you
locate a practice session you should make it a fairly high priority to get your
hound there.
In addition to the items you would bring when you went to
obseve a field trial:
- Your hound's registration information.
- Until you know that your hound will lure course consistantly you do not
need to buy a slip lead or coursing blankets. The clubs are required to have
these on hand.
3.14 Errors of novice coursers
The most common error made by the novice lure coursing enthusiast is to enter a
hound that lacks mental and physical conditioning into its first trial. It is
an athletic sport, and playing in your back yard does not make them fit enough.
They have to singlemindedly chase the plastic bag, not other hounds. This is a
skill that is trained into them by experience gained practicing with seasoned
hounds that do not interfere but also are not put off from coursing by a
younger hound's playfulness or mild aggression. Seriously dog-aggressive hounds
should be entered only in singles stakes. hounds that have no interest in
chasing the artificial lure when by themselves rarely "click" and course the
artificial lure when run with another hound. Usually they will course the other
hound instead. In addition, hounds that course live game frequently will not
course the artificial lure. For many of these hounds, once they have the "blood
lust" that comes from actual hunting, plastic bags seem a bit tame and not
worth the effort.
Releasing the hound when the lure begins to move rather than waiting
for the huntsmaster to say "Tally Ho!".
The Premium List is the little booklet-type affair you receive in the mail that
tells you WHAT club is hosting WHICH event WHEN, WHO the JUDGES and FIELD
PERSONNEL are, when ROLL CALL is COURSE PLANS, and things like directions to
the site, nearby motels and so forth..
Usually the Premium List is mailed out by the host club two to four weeks prior
to the event. The deadline for pre- entries is typically three days before the
event. 'Late' (day of trial) entries may be accepted by the host club. This
will be stated in the premium list.
- The organization sponsoring the event ASFA, AKC or CKC.
- The type of event, trial, test or practice trial, specialty or all breed.
- Date
- Location
- Host club
- The officers of the club.
- The officers for the event.
- The judges and their assignments and home addresses.
- Contact addresses and phone numbers for event information.
- Date of closure of pre-entries
- Wether "day of event" entries are accepted.
- The day & time that day of event entries close.
- Most clubs accept entries on day of trial but this is NOT always the case!
- The date and time that pre-entries close.
- Time trial begins (when the committee arrives)
- The time that roll call begins.
- Ribbons trophies and prizes
- Which stakes are offered - Open, FCh, BIF, Veteran, Kennel, etc
- Special conditions of entry.
- These vary from club to club and with the type of event, examples:
- Terraine is rough natural terraine and hounds must be very fit.
- No bitches in season or giving the appearance of being in season.
- No children under 12
- Hounds must have worm free certificate
- The course plan
- A description of the field conditions
- fenced?
- highgrass?
- rough terraine? etc.
- Directions to the trial site.
- The quality of these instructions varies greatly from club to club.
- If they seem vague you might want to convoy with someone who has been
there before.
- Most trials are out in the country at someone's farm and country
street and route signs have a way of suddenly disappearing.
The premium list you receive prior to each event should tell you if food, water
and shade are available - but never depend on it.
It may give a list of motels and hotels that accept dogs but you should
check with them and make sure that they still accept dogs. Motel managers
change regularly and their policies seem to change from week to week.
Entries made before the closing date and time as stated in the premium
list. It is my impression that club's vary as to how they define pre
entries. Some clubs define them by date and time RECEIVED while other
clubs define them by date and time of POSTMARK.
However even if your entry is mailed in time yet due to the failure of the
postal service, it is not received in time for the FTS to
have it at the trial, then you will have to fill out day of trial entry forms on
the day of the trial.
This is one reason to always have your hound's registration materials with
you when you go to a trial.
Clubs may at their option choose to accept late entries after the closing of
pre-entries. This WILL be stated in the premium list. If it is not in the
premium list then late entries are NOT accepted.
Entries accepted after the closing date for pre-entries are considered late or
day of trial entries. The deadline for pre-entries is typically three days
before the event; 'late' entries are usually more expensive because the Field Trial Secretary (FTS) must take extra time to add those
entries to the record sheets the morning of the trial, this delays the start of
the trial.
If you are entering on the day of the trial, you MUST have your completed entry
to the FTS BEFORE Roll Call. Usually the club requires the
entries to be in 30 MINUTES PRIOR TO roll call. The exact time may vary from
club to club but should be stated in the premium list.
As a clarifying example, if Roll Call is a 9:00 am, you must have your entry in
the FTS's hands no later than 8:30 AM.
A notice (usually on page two of the Premium) states:
- ENTRIES WILL NOT BE ACKNOWLEDGED BY MAIL
This means that you will not receive written notice by mail that your entry was
received by the FTS.
It does NOT mean your entry is unacceptable if you mail it!
Roll Call is the time, prior to the commencement of coursing, by which you are
supposed to have your hound ready for inspection by the inspection committee.
At roll call the hound is examined for lameness, and breed disqualifications
(where applicable). Unspayed bitches are examined to see if they show any
evidence of being in season.
After roll call the list of passed hounds is taken to the
field trial secretary so that the draw can be prepared.
Once you are attending trials regularly, the basic equipment you will need
is:
- A lure coursing slip lead
- A set of lure coursing blankets that fit your
hound.
- Additional equipment to consider for the comfort of you and your
hound, list varies with season of year and weather on day of
trial:
- Water, water bowl(for hound), water cups(for you)
- Ground blanket (for hound), chair (for you).
- Shade canopy or 'solar blankets' to go over crates or car in hot
weather.
- Adequate cold weather gear: hound blankets, coats, mittens, hat, boots
for cold weather
- Rainy weather gear: towels to dry hound, rain coat or cape, rubber
overshoes.
I find rain coats to be preferable to rain capes. The capes tend to blow around
and may frighten you hound or interfer with your handling of the hound.
- Indespensible items you should have in the car:
- Plastic bags for dog poop clean up
- Toilet paper for when the porta-potty runs out
- Paper towels
- Plastic trash bags
Lure coursing blankets are the means by which the different hounds in a course
are identified by the judge. They are light in weight and designed to be
non-restrictive to the galloping hound. They should be made of a double
stretch material and you need one in each of these colors:
- high recognition yellow (try and get bright yellow yellow and not the 'green' yellow.
- high recognition pink (hot pink).
- high recognition blue (eye shattering cyan).
A good coursing blanket covers at least 60% of the hound's body without
restricting its running action. Velcro works as a fastener for the "belly
band" for smaller smooth coated hounds but does not work well for larger
hounds or long coated hounds.
The weakest point on a coursing blanket is the portion that runs
under the neck in front of the hound's forelegs. My blankets that have lasted
15 years have this portion made out of the same material as the rest of the
blanket. My blankets that wear out after a few years have this portion made of
waistband elastic material.
A slip lead is a specialized collar and leash combination that allows the
handler to rapidly release an excited hound without breaking a finger or
damaging the hound. The best leads have a broad collar that is several inches
smaller than the hound's neck with relatively heavy 3 inch brazed metal rings
on each end of the collar. The leash portion is strung through the metal rings
in such as way as to hold the hound until one end of the leash is released.
Then the hound is free.
Care needs to be taken to allow the hound to pull forward out of the collar as
it is released. If the slip lead is dramatically pulled from the hound's neck
by the handler, a gesture often made (one time) by novices, the heavy collar
may swing sideways and can hit a competitor or the huntsmaster in the face.
In the future I plan to have a diagram of a slip lead associated with the FAQ.
For now you will have to send Bonnie Dalzell a SASE snail
mail to get a diagram on paper.
A mechanical slip lead is a slip lead device that depends upon a latching
mechanism to allow the hound to be released. I have seen three types, although
there are certainly more. Two of the types are based on quick release latches
that must be pressed by the thumb or finger. One of them is based on a quick
release latch imported from France and the other on a quick release latch that
is a common piece of horse equipement. Both of these may result in a delayed
or a premature slip if the hound is not quiet at the staryting line. I do not
recommend them for inexperienced handlers. I also do not reccommend them for
thrashing excited hounds.
The third type is based on the quick release used in live game coursing in
England. It is a sort of collar attached to a stiff handle with a quick
release ring sticking up from the upper end of the stiff handle. This type
looks like it would be usable even if the hound was quite rowdy in the slips.
However I have not used one.
If you own or co-own more than one hound in the same breed, and you do not
wish those hounds to run together, mark the box on your entry 'Please Separate
My Entries' and also make this request when the hounds are inspected at roll
call. If there are enough hounds entered in that stake, then yours will be
separated. If not, you may wish to pull one of your hounds.
The draw order sheet is the posted list of hounds divided into courses and
with each hound's blanket order assignment. The Draw Order determines WHICH
COURSE your hound is running in, and WHICH BLANKET COLOR your hound must be
wearing at the starting line. Draws are done for Preliminary runs, then again
for Finals. Always check the record sheet after the Prelims to confirm your
hound's Draw for the Finals, as well as the new Draw sheets.
Good trial sites are not easy to find and a lure coursing field trial does not
generate very much income for the club so continued use of the trial site is
dependent upon the good will of the property owner. Clean up after your hound
and yourself! Do not damage property! Park in designated areas and don't go
randomly exploring out buildings, barns and other structures not being used by
the members of the field trial. Do not harrass any livestock that may be on the
trial site. Be respectful of the property.
Remember that this is a lure coursing field trial. People often travel long
distances to run their hounds and have paid to enter the competition. They are
there to run their hounds and they may not have had much sleep. Most people at
the trial will be happy to answer your questions but pick the time to approach
them carefully. Don't walk up and start talking to a judge while the person is
judging. Don't try and question an exhibitor while they are actively involved
in competition. Do not come out on the course with your hound, observe from the
sidelines. Keep your hound on a short leash. If your hound is very excited keep
it far enough away so that it does not distract the competing hounds. Don't
allow it to approach other competitors hounds and "get in their faces". Hounds
that are excited by the lure may be rather jumpy and even predatory. Don't
interfere with the hounds of another competitor. This includes not offering
food or water to hounds that are in competition. hounds can become very ill if
run on full stomachs.
Not really, unless you bring along a person to tend to the young children. If
you are participating at a lure field trial you may be there all day and
unsupervised children can quickly become bored. Almost all the people there are
there to run their hounds. Many of the hounds come from childless homes and are
not socialized on children.
The trial sites are frequently on private property which lack play facilities
for children and may contain hazards to unsupervised children. At least one
coursing club that I know of is required by the insurance company of the
landowner of their trial site to ban children under 12 from the trial site.
This was the result of damages sustained to a swimming pool by unsupervised
children at a lure coursing trial.
It is especially important to be careful with very young children around large
powerful dogs. Don't wear your baby in one of those "on the parent carriers"
while trying to control an excited dog that is powerful enough to pull or knock
you over. Remember a 80 pound hound running at 35 miles an hour packs a
powerful punch should it run into you or a child by accident.
The unentered dogs cannot be allowed to run loose during the trial. Allowing
small fluffy dogs that resemble lures to run loose on the coursing field is
inadvisable. Hounds that wish to run but are not allowed to run may be quite
frustrated.
It is important to always have adequate control over dogs that are not actually
participating in the course in progress. There is a fine for having a loose dog
interfere with a course in progress. Novices with retired racing greyhounds
frequently have to pay this fine as the hounds suddenly show much more
excitement than the owner has ever seen up until that time (that is they go
berserk with happiness and excitement).
Sighthounds have thick muscular necks and slender heads and can easily and
unexpectedly slip a buckle collar when they become excited at the sight of the
moving lure with other hounds in pursuit. For this reason you should have a
martingale or choke collar for restraint of the hound at the trial site.
It is relatively common for dogs brought to the trial site and left loose in a
car to become excited at the sight and sound of the lure and destroy part of
the car's interior. Rear view mirrors and upholstery are favorite targets. If
the windows are left partially rolled down the dog may injure itself as it
tries to get out through the window. Crating or tethering the dog with a tie
out that it cannot chew through prevents these problems. Obviously no one
should leave a dog alone in an unshaded car in hot weather.
Well, it's usually paperwork. Each hound is entered, listed on the Roll
Call/Inspection sheet, is presented for inspection and (hopefully) passed. The
Field Clerks then prepare the draw order sheets. The Draw Order for each breed
is done by random picks among the entries. Those Draws must be transferred to
the Record Sheets, and Judges' forms filled out for each breed, each stake.
Draws are done for Preliminary runs, then again for Finals.
Yes! You can help speed up the process!
- Pre-enter when possible,
- Make sure your entry forms are COMPLETELY and CORRECTLY filled out (a sin
sometimes committed by even experienced owners).
- Present your hound for Roll Call at the appointed time (earlier, if the
Committee is ready).
- Have your hound correctly blanketed and ready to run at least two courses
before your hound is called.
- by Denise Como
From roll call to the completion of the trial. Be prepared for a long day,
especially in bad weather. Bring plenty of food and water. Bring warm clothing
and wet weather gear. In hot weather bring shade.
A club can usually complete an all breed trial of 30 hounds in 5 hours. I have
seen 30 hound specialty trials (one breed) be run in 3 hours. However trials
with small entries are often run at a leisurely pace and may take until dusk,
while trials with large entries will be pushed along by the certain knowledge
that they must be completed before dusk. Either way it adds up to a looong
day.
All sorts. Since trials are scheduled events they are canceled only in the case
of extreme weather conditions - tornados, hurricanes, blizzards. I'm not
kidding! Last winter I was scheduled to judge at a trial in New Jersey in early
March. A blizzard came up the day before. It was not until 7 PM the night
before the trial that it was decided to cancel the trial. Not because all the
roads were closed (they were) but because with 24 inches of ice and snow on the
coursing field it seemed that it would be difficult to set up a safe course.
Nails should be cut back to a reasonable length, at least so they don't
actually touch the floor (make very sure you do not cut into the central vein
or 'quick' when doing nails, as they will bleed profusely, leaving the hound
sore, and in danger of infection). They might have to be tended to weekly, if
necessary, but preferably not immediately prior to an event. Check between the
webs of the toes and all the pads to be sure no foreign bodies have lodged
there (thorns, splinters, ticks, chewing gum, strange plant seeds such as gum
balls from the southern sweet gum tree, and so forth), and the tops and
bottoms of the feet. Some folks use Tuf-Foot (R) or Pad-Cote (R) on the pads
to protect them and keep them conditioned. Use caution, as over-use can
irritate the pads of some hounds.
Lure interest! Lure interest is the result of a combination of a genetic desire
to chase anything that moves (which is probably retention of a puppy behavior
phase) combined with training to focus that desire on an artificial plastic bag
lure. A fanatical lure courser would rather chase plastic than rabbits - really
I've had it happen.
In my 20 years experience in breeding lure coursers and competing in the sport
I am convinced that lure interest is strongly, although complexly, inherited
and that two keen lure coursing parents will produce a much higher percentage
of keen lure coursing pups than will breeding in which one or more of the
parents has been demonstrated to have no lure interest.
Go to lure coursing events and help out. Observe for several months. If you
have a sighthound take it to practices - which often follow trials.
One way is to adopt or purchase an healthy, UNINJURED retired racing greyhound
that was NOT dismissed for "fighting" or dropped from a racing program for
failure to run. However racing greyhounds are so fast that they are more easily
injured than the less extremely evolved running breeds. It is very important
that the owner of a racing greyhound used in lure coursing learn to keep the
hound in top physical shape and avoid over running it. They need time to
recover between coursing dates, they are quite prone to injury and overheating
if overweight. Successfully lure coursing a racing greyhound requires self
control because the hound loves to run so much that it will not quit or refuse
to run simply because it has a minor injury -- or even a broken bone!
A high percentage of Whippets, Pharaoh Hounds and Ibizan Hounds have the inate
desire to chase well developed. Salukis seem to have the highest percentage of
hounds with no artificial lure desire. In most breeds, success at getting a
hound that will lure course is dependent upon a combination of genetic interest
and a successful program of puppy lure interest training. Look for a set of
parents with the LCM title.
One source for lure machines, pulleys and trolling line is:
Thomas Bianchi
Injoy Wood Products
PO Box 21
Charlotte, VT, 05445
802-425-3691
Once you locate a local lure coursing club you may encounter local craftsmen
who are making lure coursing equipment.
Lure coursing blankets and slip leads are often made by local coursing fans. A
source for blankets and slip leads by mail is:
Sue Meier
46 Berkshire Valley Rd.
Kenvil, New Jersey, 07847
In the history of lure coursing a number of configurations have been
tried. Things that definitely don't work include - AC powered lure
machines made from washing machine motors - these lack the power to
accelerate the lure fast enough to keep the lure safely in front of
the hounds. Corner pulleys made out of bicycle hubs. These are too
narrow and present a danger to the hounds. Experimentation is welcome.
Remember the system needs to have enough speed and acceleration to
keep the lure safely ahead of the hounds. It needs to be portable. It
needs to be inexpensive.
They are issued by different organizations. AKC titles are recorded by the
American Kennel Club and are printed out on official AKC documents such as
official pedigrees and on championship certificates and are published in the
AKC Awards publication. ASFA titles are issued by the American Sighthound Field
Association and are published in FAN (Field Advisor News). They will not appear
on official AKC issued pedigrees. This does not mean that the ASFA titles are
in anyway inferior. In fact in my opinion and experience the LCM is the most
difficult lure coursing title to earn. The AKC JC is the easiest, the SC next,
the ASFA FCh next and the AKC FC is next.
Don't limit yourself and your hound's chances to run. There are few enough lure
coursing field trials as it is. The AKC titles go on your hound's permanent AKC
records but once you have the FC there is not much incentive to continue.
Obtaining an ASFA LCM is the supreme test of both coursing interest and long
term vigor in a lure coursing hound.
Short biographies of personalities in coursing - alphabetically by
last name:
Denise Como has raised, owned, bred and competed with Borzoi since 1978 (other
breeds since 1966), and shares space with several adopted, retired track
Greyhounds (and one Whippet). Currently (1995) President of Garden State
Sighthound Association (founded in 1976), she is involved with several
committees within the American Sighthound Field Association (ASFA) and the
American Kennel Club (AKC) Lure Coursing program . She is a member of the
Borzoi Club of America (BCOA), Charter/ Past President (and current member) of
the Borzoi Club of Central New Jersey (BCCNJ). She is a delegate to the New
Jersey Federation of Dog Clubs (NJFDC). She oversees GSSA's efforts to promote
the various Sighthound activities, most recently amateur oval track racing
(under the auspices of NOTRA - National Oval Track Racing Association).
Bonnie Dalzell is an all breed ASFA and AKC Lure Coursing Judge, a long time
(since 1977) activist in Lure Coursing and the breeder/owner of more Lure
Coursing titled sighthounds than any one else in the world (over 80 titled
hounds to date). She has had hounds in the ASFA Top Ten since 1977.
Bonnie Dalzell's kennel name is Silkenswift and she bred, trained and
campaigned the Borzoi bitch, Silkenswift Pye's Dark Design LCM6 CanFCh
(Darkness). Darkness was the #1 ASFA sighthound in 1981 and 1982. Bonnie
Dalzell is also the breeder of Treybeau's Fantasy LCM6 a greyhound belonging to
Dean Wright. Fantasy is the all time top lure coursing greyhound.
Currently Bonnie Dalzell's brindle male Borzoi Aatis:
- ORC FC Silkenswift Captain Chaos LCM
is the #1 ASFA lure coursing Borzoi for 1994.
In real life Bonnie Dalzell:
- teaches anatomy on and off at the Veterinary College of the University of
Pennsylvania.
- Does free lance writing on a variety of subject including computers, science
fiction, natural history and dogs.
- Does freelance technical, natural history and fantasy illustration for
museums, books and individuals.
These are lure coursing trials sponsored by the American Sighthound Field
Association and held in accordance with ASFA rules and regulations.
The hounds are run in competition under ASFA running rules and regulations.
The oldest lure coursing organization's (ASFA's) trials are open to purebred:
- Afghan Hounds
- Basenjis
- Borzoi
- Greyhounds
- Ibizan Hounds
- Irish Wolfhounds
- Pharaoh Hounds
- Rhodesian Ridgebacks
- Salukis
- Scottish Deerhounds an
- Whippets
The hounds must be at least one year old or older on the day of the trial, and
be individually registered with:
- The American Kennel Club [AKC]
- The National Greyhound Association [NGA]
- an AKC-recognized foreign registry (this includes running Borzoi on
their Russian reg. numbers.
- possess a Critique Case number [CC] from the Saluki Club of American
[SCOA], for desert-bred Salukis.
In the near future ASFA is going to require one-time proof of
registry/ownership according to new directives.
An exciting change being pioneered by ASFA is the future formation of a
"Miscellaneou"' class or stake, for other Sighthound breeds recognized by the
FCI [Federation Cynologique Internationale), a world-wide registry
organization. This would allow breeds such as the Azawak, Chart Polski, Sloughi
and others to compete. While titles would not be gained directly from ASFA,
American parent clubs of these breeds may wish to recognize the accomplishments
of these hounds within their registry body.
Note: Not all trials will offer all of these stakes. Optional stakes are
designated with an *.
- Singles * (Hound runs by itself - no points are awarded towards a
title - can't run inBOB or BIF.)
- Open (Hounds who have not earned the ASFA FCh)
- Field Champion (Hounds who have earned the ASFA FCh)
- Veteran * (In most sighthound breeds, hounds over 6 years old (5
for Irish Wolfhounds). Veteran Stake entries may not be entered in
any other regular stake at the same trial. 1st placements from the
Veteran Stake do not count toward a FCh title. If veteran wins BOB
or BIF over competition -- that counts as a first
toward FCh)
- Best in Field (BIF) * (Open to the BOB winners of the day.)
- Breeder * ( competition in this and in Kennel is determined by
scoring out of Open, FCh or veteran).
- Kennel *
If there are 20 or more hounds in a given stake in a given breed, that
stake will be split and multiple placements will be awarded in that
stake. Stakes are split so as to produce as many sets of 10 as
possible. For example an entry of 30 open whippets would be split
into 3 sets of Open whippets with 10 hounds per stake rather than two
Open whippet stakes of 15 hounds.
Best of Breed must always be determined by a single run consisting of
a brace or trio, however, so if there were 4 stakes of Open whippets
BOB would be determined by running the best of those 4 winners against
the top winner from the Field Champion stake.
- Field Champion (FCh)
- Competes against other hounds of the same breed in the "Open stake". To
earn the title the hound must accumulate 100 breed points and earn 2 first
placements or 1 first and 2 second placements over competition that receives
qualifying scores or that is dismissed. A first over a non-qualifying scoring
hound doesn't count but if he attacks your hound and is dismissed then the
hound counts. The maximum score is 100 points per judge. To achieve a
qualifying score the hound must receive at least half this total. These
judges-score points are different from the breed points mentioned above. Best
In Field (BIF) determined by running against the winner of
another breed will count as a first if the hound winning BIF was the only entry
in its breed. (For example, if a single Saluki is entered, but wins BIF by
defeating the best of 17 Whippets, it is credited with a "first over
competition".)
- Lure Courser of Merit (LCM)
- Competes against other hounds of the same breed in the "Field
Champion stake". To earn the title the hound must accumulate 300
breed points and earn 4 first placements. Each first placement
must be over at least one competitor earning a qualify score.The
hound may earn multiple LCM's. Each requires 4 firsts out of the
Field Champion stake and an additional 300 points. At this time
the LCM is the most difficult lure coursing title to earn.
There are 5 categories:
- Speed (25)
- Agility (25)
- Endurance (20
- Enthusiasm (15)
- Follow (15)
The judge(s) score the hound in each category producing a score between 0 and
100. Qualifying scores are 50% or above. Most judges score qualifying runs
somewhere between 60 and 80 points. On a given day the exact numeric score is
less important than the hound's score relative to the other hounds. Notice that
in ASFA coursing Speed and Agility are considered the most important
categories. This reflects the importance of open field (i.e. live game)
coursing experience in the minds of the founders of ASFA - if the hound is
after a hare exactness of follow is worthless if the quarry outruns the hound.
Live quarry does not slow down so that the slow hounds can stay sighted. Only
lures adjust themselves to the speed of the slower coursers.
In each stake within a breed (Open, Field Champion and Veteran) 1st,
2nd, 3rd, 4th and NBQ (Next Best Qualifying) placements are awarded.
The scores from the judge(s) are added up for both the preliminary and
final runs. The hounds are awarded placements within their stake based
on the summed scores. Points towards the titles (ASFA championship
points) are awarded as follows:
- 1st place = 4 times the number of dogs in the stake to a maximum of 40
points.
- 2nd place = 3 times the number of dogs in the stake to a maximum of 30
points.
- 3rd place = 2 times the number of dogs in the stake to a maximum of 20
points.
- 4th place = 1 times the number of dogs in the stake to a maximum of 10
points.
- NBQ - no points.
The winners of these stakes will then compete in a runoff for Best of Breed
(BOB). The BOB winner will receive points equivalent to the greatest number
earned by any hound in the breed. For example if there were 5 hounds in the
Open stake and 3 hounds in the Field Champion stake and the Field Champion won
the BOB run off it would receive 4X5 = 20 points rather than 4X3 = 12 points
towards its Lure Courser of Merit title. The winner of the Open stake would
still receive 20 points towards its ASFA Field Champion title.
The additional points that may be awarded in BOB are only awarded if the BOB is
earned by a run off. A hound earning BOB over the winner of a larger stake by
forfeit would not earn additional championship points.
The Top Ten is a list published by ASFA in FAN that ranks the top coursers for
each year. It is based upon a system called The Bowen System, first developed
by Michael John Bowen. This system assigns the hound points each time it
receives a placement (1st through NBQ) at an ASFA trial. The hound earning a
placement receives a point for itself and a point for each hound it defeats
within its breed. For example if the hound was the only hound of its breed and
it received a qualifying score it would also receive one Bowen point. If it was
a first place hound in a stake of 12 it would receive 12 Bowen points. Unlike
like ASFA championship points (which are used to earn the titles) Bowen points
do not maximize out at 10 hounds in a stake. If the hound was second in a stake
of 13 it would get 12 Bowen points. A simple formula is:
Bowen points = number of hounds in stake -(placement-1)
If the hound is awarded the Best of Breed over the winner of the other stake in
its breed - whether it defeated that other hound in a run off or won the Best
of Breed by forfeit - then it also earns Bowen points based on the number of
hounds in the other stake. For example a hound wins first in a stake of 8 Open
hounds, then it is awarded Best of Breed with an entry of 5 in the Field
Champion stake. It will earn 8 + 5 = 13 Bowen points. Many beginners find this
state in which there are two different point system: the Bowen system and the
ASFA title awards system quite confusing and often err in their calculations of
their hound's ASFA championship points.
Remember:
- Bowen points:
- Equal the number of hounds defeated (one for each hound defeated plus
one for your own hound)
- ASFA championship points:
- Max out at 10 hounds
- For BOB are equivalent to the maximum earned by the hound winning the
larger stake by a run off
- No additional points are awarded to the BOB winner (if from the
smaller stake) if there is a forfeit rather than a run off.
8.1 What Are AKC Lure Coursing Trials?
These are lure coursing trials sponsored by the American Kennel Club and held
in accordance with AKC Lure Coursing rules and regulations.
In September of 1991 the AKC began its own program of Lure Coursing as a sport
under the guidance of Dean Wright, a long time promoter of ASFA lure coursing
events.
As of 1994 The AKC breeds that can participate in AKC Lure Coursing included 11
recognized sighthound breeds: Afghans, Basenjis, Borzoi, Ibizan Hounds, Irish
Wolfhounds, Greyhounds, Pharaoh Hounds, Salukis, Scottish Deerhounds, Rhodesian
Ridgebacks, Whippets.
The AKC's policy is that a sighthound breed is a sighthound breed if the
breed's parent club considers the breed to be a sighthound. This has, as you
can imagine, led to some really intense rhetoric on the definition of a
sighthound. We will wisely avoid this controversial matter of definition in
this FAQ.
Regular stakes are Open and Specials. Open is open to all hounds who have
earned an AKC Junior Courser or other qualifying performance titles.
- Junior Courser (JC)
- The hound must run in 2 events under 2 different judges or
judging panels. The hound will run alone on a course of at
least 600 yards that has at least 4 turns. The hound must
run the full course with enthusiasm, not stopping to visit with
spectators or take a potty break during its run. The judges
award a "pass" or "fail" not a numeric score.
- Senior Courser (SC)
- After January 1, 1994 the SC title is awarded based upon the
hound's performance in 4 AKC field trials. Prior to that date
the title was awarded based upon performance in 2 AKC field
trials. To earn an SC the hound must receive a qualifying score
in 4 AKC field trials under different judging panels.
- Field Champion (FC)
- This title proceeds the hound's name. This title is awarded once
the hound has accumulated 15 AKC Lure Coursing Points. There must
be at least 2 firsts valued at 3 points or more issued by two
different judges or judging panels.
As of Jan 1, 1994 the AKC point scale is as follows:
Points for first place
5 4 3 2 1
------------------------------------------------------------
number of hounds in competition
Whippets 15 11 8 5 2
Borzoi, Rhodesians 10 8 5 3 2
Balance of sighthound
breeds 6 5 4 3 2
- When first place earns 5 second place earns 3, third place earns 2.
- When first place earns 4 second place earns 2, third place earns 1.
- When first place earns 3 second place earns 1.
This will certainly be revised in the future, but not in 1995.
The hounds are scored on a scale of 0 to 50. There are 5 categories
each of equal value:
- Speed (10)
- Agility (10)
- Endurance (10)
- Overall Ability (10)
- Follow (10)
The judge(s) score the hound in each category producing a score between 0 and
50. Qualifying is 25 or above. Most judges score qualifying runs somewhere
between 30 and 40 points. On a given day the exact numeric score is less
important than the hound's score relative to the other hounds.
Dual Champion (DC) is awarded to a sighthound that has earned both an AKC Field
Champion title and an AKC conformation Championship title. This title also
proceeds the hound's name and replaces either Ch or FC.
If Fred judges on Saturday and Joan judges on Sunday that is obviously two
different judges. However if Joan judges alone on Saturday and Joan and Fred
judge together on Sunday that is two different judging panels.
AKC registered hounds may be entered without having CKC registration
provided that an additional "listing" fee is paid. The titles will not
be awarded until the CKC registration is obtained on the hounds.
There is no separate Field Champion stake at CKC Lure Coursing Trials.
All hounds are entered in the Open stake.
- Field Champion (FCh)
- Field Champion Excellent (FChX)
To earn a Canadian FCh the hound earns 100 points with two firsts over
competition. The competition includes existing Canadian Field Champions. To
earn a FChx the hound earns a TOTAL of 300 points and 6 firsts. It is not
eligible to earn the FChX until after the FCh requirements are met but first
placements earned prior to the FCh carry over towards the FChX. If a hound
finishes its FCh with 6 firsts then it only needs to earn an additional 200
points to earn the FChX. The Canadian FCh is more difficult to earn than the
ASFA FCh but the FChX is a slightly easier to earn than the ASFA LCM.
The scoring system, categories and points earned towards titles are similar to
the 100 point ASFA model. Canadian Field Trial secretaries
usually require some proof that the hound will run "clean" in competition prior
to accepting an entry.
First place through 4th earn championship points as with ASFA. No points are
awarded for 5th (NBQ).
- terms officially defined in the ASFA or AKC rules are so indicated by
(ASFA) (AKC) or (both) in parens at the end of the definition.
- BIF
- Best in Field (both): not the villian in "Back to the Future".
The award given to the hound winning the stake that is composed of the winners
of all of the breed stakes. It may also be won by forfeit. In ASFA it carries no
additional points but if it is awarded as the result of a run off, it does give
a hound that was a singleton in its breed a first over competition. In AKC lure
coursing the BIF award (by competition or by forfeit) gives the BIF hound points
equivalent to the maximum earned by any BOB winner on that day.
- BOB
- Best of Breed, not Robert.
In ASFA the award given to the hound winning the run off between the winners of
the open, field champion, and (if present) veteran stakes. The BOB may also be
awarded by forfeit if all but one eligible hound declines to run. In the case
of a trial where only one stake has an entry the BOB is automatically awarded
to the winner of that stake.
In AKC trials BOB goes to the hound winning the run off between the winners of
the Open and Specials (Field Champions of Record) stakes.
- Bowen points
- Total hounds defeated points (one foreach hound defeated plus one for your own hound) used to calculate the ASFA Top
Ten. Named for Michael John Bowen, an Irish Wolfhound fancier.
- FTS
- Field Trial Secretary - the official at both ASFA and AKC trial who is
responsible for seeing that the paper work is done correctly. Technically on the
day of the trial the actual work may be done by the Field Clerk and the FTS does
not have be at the trial site. Most experienced coursing clubs find that it is
best for the FTS to be present at the trial.
Field Advisory News (FAN) the oldest and first Lure Coursing Magazine. Lists
addresses of ASFA Lure Coursing Field Trail Secretaries, Trial Dates and many
useful articles. Contains official ASFA news including rule changes and the
annual ASFA convention.
Subscriptions, letters and articles:
Editor: Vicky Clarke
PO Box 399
Alpaugh, CA 93201
$30/year 6 issues bulk mail, check made out to FAN
AKC Coursing News - The official AKC Lure Coursing publication. Contains
information on rule changes, events and useful articles. Articles tend to
emphasize information for beginning coursers.
subscriptions:
AKC Fulfillment Department
5580 Centerview Drive
Raleigh NC, 27690-0643
$25 per year - issued quarterly
ASFA as of Jan 1995:
Corresponding Secretary:
Kathy Budney
1098 New Britain Avenue
Rocky Hill, CT 06067
- ASFA free informational pamphlets (one set per request).
- Send self addressed, stamped envelope.
- The ASFA rule book with revisions is available for $4.00.
Denise Scanlan
1517 Virginia Avenue
Rockford, IL 61103
ASFA Regional Directors
Contact the nearest for current ASFA info
This list is taken from the Jan/Feb, 1995 issue of FAN (Field Advisory News)
Region 1 AK, WA, OR, ID, MT
Greg Ward, 9 W Salmon Avenue, Spokane, WA 99218
Region 2 HI, CA NV, AZ
Al Crume, 27452 S. Corral Hollow Road, Tracy, CA 95378
Region 3 CO WY, UT, NM
Daphane Lowe, 13775 Vollmer Road, Colorado Springs, CO
Region 4 TX, OK, AR, LA
Judith Newton, 4318 Oakside, Houston TX, 77053
Region 5 ND, SD, IA, NB, MN, KS, MO
Frank Zaworski, 745 E Country Trail, Jordan, MN 55352
Region 6 WI, IL, MI, IN, OH, KY
Jack Helder, 2975 Zimmer Rd, Williamston, MI 48895
Region 7 TN, NC, SC, MS, AL, GA, FL
Sherrie Ecksmith, 7009 Ravenglass Lane, Charlotte, NC 28227
Region 8 ME, NH, VT, MA, RD, CT, NY, NJ, PA, DE, MD, VA, WV
Jane Schreiber, 916 Rocky Ford Road, Powatan, VA 23139
Note the ASFA annual convention is in April each year and since some
officers change at each convention these addresses can become stale in
a year's time.
CANFAN (CFSA)
Barb Barclay
2116 Windsor St
Abbotsford, British Columbia
Canada
V2T 6L9
Phone or Fax 604 855 7427
General Information on AKC Lure Coursing-informational pamphlets etc.
Dean Wright
1235 Pine Grove Road
Hanover, PA 17331
phone (days) (717) 637-3011
(this is Dean's business - so they will answer "Hanover Lube and
Brake". You must ask for Dean Wright)
AKC Coursing (in the New York Office) (212) 696-8276
District Area SightHound Association (DASH))
DASH participates in ASFA & AKC Lure Coursing and NOTRA oval track racing
DASH President Robert Jordan
1818 Price Lane
Bowie, MD 20716
301-249-1715
DC Area:
DASH Coursing Coordinator W. E. Shainline "WES"
301-459-3785
Baltimore Area:
DASH VP Bonnie Dalzell
5100 Hydes Rd
Hydes, MD 21082
410-592-5512
e-mail bdalzell@clark.net
Garden State Sighthound Association (GSSA)
GSSA participates in ASFA & AKC Lure Coursing and
NOTRA oval track racing
635 Monmouth Rd
Cream Ridge, NJ 08514
ATT PHONEMAIL - 908-928-9271, PRESS #4 FOR GSSA
FAX - 908-928-0903
Yes, please.
I have some very well written and researched material on hand from Denise
Como on "what to take to the event", planning for the weather, and diet and the
coursing hound. I should have this edited into the FAQ soon. This version being
a minor update to correct some spelling (never my strong point)
errors.
I would like to have a "personalities in lure coursing section"
initially limited to people who have been in lure coursing at least 15
years or who hold a national office in ASFA or the AKC. If you are one
of those or know one of those people and would like to write up some
bibliographical notes I will be happy to edit them and then return them
to you for approval prior to including them in the FAQ. If you are
writing notes about another person be sure to give me
a contact address for that person (internet or snail mail) so that I can
make sure they know what is being posted about them and they can check
facts for accuracy.
The "personalities section" is not intended for "flames" so, no matter
what you think, positive and historical material only, please. I am
currently assembling a biographical note on Lyle Gillette.
(keep an eye on this space I will expand this list over time)
- 12.1 ASFA HISTORICAL BOOK 1972-1989 - Find out what makes ASFA great!
$45 (checks payable to ASFA
Bill Brown
20725 S. Western Avenue
Chicago Heights, IL 60411
A collection of essays on the history of ASFA and lure coursing, including
sections on equipment and great coursing hounds written by the people who
developed lure coursing as a sport over many years. Includes photos of the top
hounds in the ASFA breeds and extensive lists of titlists.
- 12.2 ASFA INFORMATIONAL PAMPHLETS. One each free to individuals:
Order from:
Denise Scanlan - ASFA forms and pamphlets
1517 Virginia Avenue
Rockford, IL 61103
- The Sport of Lure Coursing
- Guidelines for Judges
- Guidelines for Lure Coursing Practice
The following is available for $5.00
- Guidelines for Course Design
- 12.3 SO, YOU WANT TO RUN YOUR SIGHTHOUND?
by Denise Como of Garden State Sighthound Club.
635 Monmouth Rd.
Cream Ridge, NJ 08514
$1.00 plus SASE with 52 cents in stamps.
- 12.4 AKC LURE COURSING TURNS TWO. Bonnie Dalzell, MA. AKC Gazette July
1993.
Written by the all time top breeder/exhibitor (in terms of number of titled
hounds) in lure coursing. Photocopy available from author. Send SASE and 50
cents to Bonnie Dalzell, 5100 Hydes Road, Hydes, MD 21082. Text available for
reprint by any non profit dog group interested in the lure coursing sport
provided you obtain author's permission. You must write the AKC Gazette to
obtain permission to reprint the exact article, as it is type set in the
magazine with photos, etc., however.
- 12.5 LURE COURSING: FIELD TRIALING FOR SIGHTHOUNDS AND HOW TO TAKE PART
Beaman, Arthur S. Howell Book House, 1994 (ISBN 0-87605-628-?)
This book is written an established dog writer who has lure coursed his Saluki.
Half of the text by page count of this hardbound book consists of information
published separately by ASFA and the AKC. That is the ASFA (cost $4.00 -
revisions free with SASE) and AKC (free) rule books which are revised annually
and exact reprints of the AKC breed standards for sighthound breeds. The latter
are available from the individual breed clubs, usually free with a SASE. The
author's extensive knowledge of lure coursing is demonstrated by his reference
to the LCM (Lure Courser of Merit) title as the "Lure Coursing Master" title.
[Under construction]
Yes! - the ones I know about are:
Amateur racing is sponsored by a number of different organizations which differ
as to which breeds of sighthounds are admitted to the events. The races are of
two sorts, straight races which are generally whippet only (NPR and NAWRA) and oval and
u-val races which are open to many sighthound breeds and are sponsored by (NOTRA) and a past Secretary-Treasurer of NAWRA. He is also the editor of the Whippet Wrunner, the
newsletter which publishes the results of both straight and oval racing.
Jack Lewis
13765 South 1300 West
Riverton, UT 84065
- Information provided by Sam Banks DVM
by Sam Banks DVM - NOTRA: National Minor Breed Race Secretary
The National Oval Track Racing Association (NOTRA) was started to"encourage
competition within each breed of sighthound under a highly uniform standard."
Under NOTRA rules, there is standardization of track shape and sizes, placement
of pulleys, track railings, judging, scoring, and starting. It is a very fair
system of competition for registered sighthound breeds of Afghan Hounds,
Borzoi, Greyhounds, Ibizan Hounds, Irish Wolfhounds, Pharaoh Hounds, Salukis,
Scottish Deerhounds, and Whippets. Whippets are considered the "Major" breed,
while the other breeds are called minor breeds.
Oval or U-val shaped tracks are used for competitions. The minor breeds must
run at least 300 yards. The tracks can either have permanent fences which meet
NOTRA approval, or temporary tracks built of stakes and surveyors tape. The
track surfaces can be dirt or grass, and are usually very level and close
mowed, such as parks. Continuous loop or drag type equipment is used. The
pulleys are set at the recommended distance away from the inner rail to reduce
the likelihood of a dog running over the pulleys. The lure is kept far enough
out ahead of the lead dog to make it always appear to be heading for the rail,
encouraging the dogs to run close to the rail, again keeping the dog away from
the pulleys and the string. There are several factors which make this a safe
style of racing. First, the field is smoother than most lure coursing fields
and the path that the dogs run has no surprising sharp turns. Second, all dogs
are running in the same direction, therefore collisions are less likely.
Lastly, the path that the dogs should run has no pulleys or strings. All these
things tend to reduce the number of serious injuries.
A starting box is required for Whippet oval racing, and encouraged for the
other breeds. Synchronized slip mechanisms are allowed for the other breeds, as
is hand slipping with starting judges who penalize any pre-slipped hound into
last place for that race. The dogs are graded according to past performances,
so that they run with other dogs of the same caliber. The box they start in is
based purely on the luck of the draw, the inside box being advantageous. Either
3 or 4 heats, or "programs," are run depending on the length of the track. The
judging is objective, for they only judge the order of finish. The dogs earn
points according to their finish. As they win heats, and more points, they move
up the ladder at that meet, the winner is the hound with the highest total at
the end of the day. Points toward your dog's Oval Racing Championship title
(ORC) are given to the the top one or two non-titled dogs. The number of points
earned depend on how many starters there were that day. ORC champions do not
earn any more ORC points, but can earn National ORC points (NORC).
Agility and intelligence, as well as speed, are important in oval racing. The
fastest dog does not always win. Agility is important in getting out of the
starting box quickly, as well as being able to hug the rail at top speed. Dogs
must learn to get to the rail quickly to have the shortest possible distance to
run. Experience in several race meets is needed for the dogs to learn to run
the oval efficiently. NOTRA rules require that the dogs run muzzled and be box
trained prior to racing. To participate in NOTRA competitions, a dog should
first be trained to chase a plastic lure and run muzzled. Box breaking is the
next step, and this can take one to several practice sessions to accomplish
depending on the dog. Most of the Borzoi at the first East Coast Minor Breed
race meet held by Hampton Roads Whippet Club in 1990 were titled lure coursers
and were box broken in one practice session.
- Titles are:
- OvalRacing Champion
- Supreme Oval Racing Champion
- For NOTRA Information contact:
Jack Lewis, President NOTRA
13765 South 1300 West
Riverton, UT 84065
The American Whippet Club (AWC) sponsors the National Point Racing (NPR)
NPR. The straight racing clubs, AWC & NAWRA have similar rules and will accept
race scores from the other group for the initial seating of racers. The
biggest difference between these groups is that the AWC controls the NPR
program.
NPR straight racing is open only to whippets. All dogs start from a starting
box and must run muzzled. Dogs 8 to 14 months old can race as a puppy. Puppies
race 150 yards. The adults, 10 months old and up, run four heats of 200 yards.
The only thing these dogs are judged on, is who crosses the finish line first.
This is a speed event. Although a quick start is a benefit, top end speed is
much more important. The dogs can be barred from racing if they intentionally
foul another dog. Incidental contact is not a foul. Generally speaking if a
dog turns it's head and then moves into another dog it is a foul.
The NPR clubs are located in Texas, Missouri, Ohio, Virginia, Delaware, New
Jersey, and Washington.
- For information on NPR racing contact:
Barbara Koch
6541 Dartbrook Dr.
Dallas, TX 75240
(214) 661-1013
- Information provided by Sam Banks DVM
- NARWA orginated on the West coast in 1988.
- The events sponsored are 200 yard straight track races.
- The titles awarded are:
- Racing Championship [RCH]
- Supreme Racing Excellence [SRE]
NARWA straight racing is open only to whippets. All dogs start from a starting
box and must run muzzled. Dogs 8 to 14 months old can race as a puppy. Puppies
race 150 yards. The adults, 10 months old and up, run four heats of 200 yards.
The only thing these dogs are judged on, is who crosses the finish line first.
This is a speed event. Although a quick start is a benefit, top end speed is
much more important. The dogs can be barred from racing if they intentionally
foul another dog. Incidental contact is not a foul. Generally speaking if a
dog turns it's head and then moves into another dog it is a foul.
NAWRA is run by it's member clubs. The NAWRA clubs are located mostly in the
west, California, Nevada, Utah, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia,
Canada.
For NAWRA information contact:
Jean Balint
2037 San Luis St
Fairfield CA 94533
- Information provided by Sam Banks DVM
The National Greyhound Association serves as the registration body for racing
greyhouds. Unlike the AKC, which has member clubs but not member individuals,
individual breeders and fanciers are members of the NGA. In this way it is
similar to the Canadian Kennel Club. The NGA predates mechanical-lure track
racing and began life as the National Coursing Association, a body modeled on
the English coursing association.
Although the NGA registers the racing greyhounds the actual racing is
controlled by legislation in the individual states that allow pari-mutual
betting on greyhound races. Even in states without legalized professional
greyhound racing all that is forbidden by law is betting on races. Amateur
racing itself is legal as long as animals are not abused under state
anti-cruelty laws.
The NGA is a body separate from the track owner's professional group the NGTOA
(National Greyhound Track Owner's Association).
In professional greyhound races the hounds are raced 8 at a time from starting
boxes wearing colored blankets for identification. The distances vary but the
commonest is 3/16 mile. The dogs are raced muzzled because the intense
excitement of having 8 fanatical racers on the course at the same time can lead
to casual biting and the thin skin of greyhounds easily tears. The muzzles are
NOT and indication of viciousness on the part of the hounds nor of mistreatment
by the owners or handlers.
Greyhounds are naturally lean and a conditioned dog shows ribs and hip bones.
Dogs that are so fat that these structures become invisible may be subject to
heat exhaustion should NOT be allowed to race.
The scars one sees on many retired greyhounds are generally due to the thin
skin and the ease with which it tears in even the slightest altercation with
another hound. They are not an indication of human mistreatment.
The NGA supports a fascinating museum with a gift shop that has many
greyhound items, write for their gift catalogue:
The Greyhound Hall of Fame
407 S. Buckeye
Abilene KS 67410
The NGA has a magazine, The Greyhound Review.
For subscriptions, which are $30/year for non-members:
RR 3 Box 111B
Abilene, KS 67410
The NGA has a greyhound computer BBS:
- Here is the first version of the lure coursing FAQ.
- It was written by Marcia Cavan with additional info from Carol Mount.
- It was posted as a part of the AKC FAQ but has since been
removed.
A "lure" coursing course consists of a line strung through a series of wooden
pulley set within a large field (many acres) with a "lure" (usually a white
kitchen garbage bag!) attached at some point on the line. This line is also
strung through a wheel that is attached to a power source usually a car starter
motor as the lure needs to have enough power to be kept safely ahead of the
fastest of the hounds. The hounds run within their own breed up to 3 per "heat"
with each hound running and being scored on 2 heats. Each hound wears a blanket
(similar to at the Greyhound track) of either yellow, pink or blue with the
scoring being assigned to the blanket color and the performance it gave. The
dogs are scored on the categories of speed, agility, endurance, follow and
enthusiasm with a "perfect" score being 100.
Up until 1992 only the American Sighthound Field Association (ASFA) held lure
coursing field trials and awarded dogs titles. Dogs earn their F.Ch (Field
Championship) running against other dogs of the same breed and receiving a
certain number of 1st and 2nd placements AND a total of 100 points. The point
scale is based on the number of dogs competing and on the placement the dog
receives. Once they earn their ASFA F.Ch. they can then continue on to earn
their LCM (Lure Courser of Merit) that requires four 1st placements over other
Field Champions and a total of 300 points. There are then LCM II, III etc.
titles.
The point system is:
First place: 4 * number of dogs upto 40 points
Second place: 3 * number of dogs upto 30 points
Third Place: 2 * number of dogs upto 20
Fourth: 1 * number of dogs upto 10
Fifth (NBQ - Next best qualified) -- no points but recorded in case or
error in 1-4 placements.
If there are enough dogs in a given breed, the stakes are split and multiple
placements (two first places, etc) are awarded.
In 1992 the AKC accepted Lure Coursing as a sport and their titles are JC
(Junior Courser) that requires a dog run alone on a 600 or so yard course two
different times under 2 different judges. With this they can then run in AKC
trials with competition and can earn their SC (Senior Courser) in 2 trials by
completing the courses. Dogs that have an ASFA FCH do not need the JC title to
run for SC. The AKC F.CH (that is a prefix to the dog's name versus a suffix
for ASFA titles) is earned like a conformation championship where the dog is
required to win 2 majors (wins worth at least 3 points) and a total a 15
points. Dog that achieve both conformation and field titles are noted as a Dual
Champion (DC).
Both ASFA and AKC have approved 11 breeds: Afghan, Basenji, Borzoi, Greyhound,
Ibizan Hound, Irish Wolfhound, Pharaoh Hound, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Saluki,
Scottish Deerhound and Whippet.
BDz - a person with a "northern" accent- was taught "foe-net-ik spell'n" in
the 5th grade in rural Florida. As a result she is permanently "spelling
challenged", as they say. So when you spot spelling errors, please contact the
FAQ's author, BDz, who will be very grateful. Matters may improve if I can find
a html editor with spell checking built in but as things stand if I import the
document into my word processor with the spelling checker I have trouble
getting it back out as an ASCII file with all of the spacing got the html
document intact.
Lure Coursing FAQ (html version 2.24.95)
Bonnie Dalzell, bdalzell@clark.net