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General Questions?

What is Lure Coursing?

We quote D. Caroline Coile, PhD from her book Greyhounds; “The sport of Lure Coursing was developed to simulate live coursing without killing any animals, walking all day, coping with the dangers of an open field, or trying to judge hounds running game over dissimilar courses. Instead, a white plastic bag is dragged at high speed by way of a pulley system placed on the ground in a large field. Greyhounds go wild at the sight!” It is a way to help keep your dog fit and active, and do something together... thereby improving your relationship and spending time together! A greyhound's instinct, indeed, the purpose that they were bred, is to chase game. The sport of Lure Coursing is a way to satisfy this instinct to chase, have fun with your sighthound, keep him in shape, and maybe win a few ribbons or a title along the way.

What are Fun Runs?

These runs consist of short and simple courses and are primarily for the training and conditioning of dogs. They are often a first introduction into lure coursing for both dogs and owners and a good opportunity to learn more about what it takes to lure a dog. There are no winners or losers in fun runs, but ample opportunity to just have a lot of fun running your dog and meeting other sighthound owners. Occasionally, a judge will be present to pre-qualify a dog for future lure coursing. The health of the sighthound is of primary concern at these events. Dogs are inspected prior to running and can be checked throughout the event. Owners can learn more about the physical requirements for running a dog, i.e., nail conditions, weight of dogs, etc. Any lame or injured dog will not be permitted to run.

How do I prepare my dog for Lure Coursing?

Preparing a dog for coursing should consist of allowing a dog to run freely in an enclosed field, park or other type of area. Running with other hounds, if possible, will help the agility of a dog and going for long walks will build endurance. Nail trimming is extremely important as nails too long can snag in the grass on turns, causing injury to the toes. Also, not allowing a dog to become overweight is very important. An overweight dog will do poorly at coursing and it is detrimental to its overall health. Make a "lure pole" for your dog to practice with at home. Use a pole that is at least six feet long, a rope or string of at least six feet, and a white plastic bag tied to the end of the rope. Tease your dog with it, move it around, and let him chase it. Make a game out of this. Make certain that you let him "catch the bunny" often, to build his enthusiasm. Learn why your dog was retired, if he is an ex-racing greyhound. If he had severe injuries, this may preclude a lure coursing career for him. Before you start coursing, take your dog to your veterinarian for an examination. Make sure that you vet knows that lure coursing is a very physically and mentally strenuous activity for your dog. Get your veterinarian's OK before you start coursing.