UTAH SIGHTHOUND RACING
AND
COURSING CLUB

So what is lure coursing?

Lure coursing has been around for many, many years.  In the 1970's Lyle Gillette and other sighthound enthusiasts invented a new form of lure coursing using an artificial lure instead of  live prey  used previously.  This allowed owners to continue coursing  hounds in a safe environment, away from the barbed wire fencing where prey could easily slip through, but where hounds could get injured.

Lure coursing is run on a large field - usually 5 or more acres in size.  A series of ground pullies are placed randomly in the field, then a line is strung around them making a continuous loop.  Attached to the line are three white plastic garbage bags which represent  'the bunny' .  A lure machine (motor)   powers the line around the pullies.  The course can be anywhere from 600 yards to 1200 yards in length.

Who can participate in this sport?

This sport is strictly for sighthounds. That is not to say that non-sighthounds can't participate in practices and fun matches.  But, only sighthounds can partipate in 'field trials' where they are awarded points for their performance.

The breeds that are recognized as sighthounds by ASFA (American Sighthound Field Association) are:  Afghan Hounds, Azawakhs, Basenjis, Borzoi,  Greyhounds, Ibizan Hounds, Irish Wolfhounds, Italian Greyhounds,  Pharaoh Hounds, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Salukis, Scottish Deerhounds, Sloughis and Whippets.

Why participate in this sport?

Sighthounds love to chase prey.   That is not to say that every sighthound will enthusiasticly chase a plastic bag around the field - but many do and absolutely love it.  They are doing what they have been bred to do, and are obeying their genetic makeup.  There is nothing more enjoyable for a dog owner than to see their dog fulfilling a natural instict that is so much fun for them.  Another reason for participating is get your dog a title.  Yes, all this fun and a title too! 

How do I get a title?

For your dog to get a title, one must attend field trials.  They are held by different sighthound clubs around the country.  These are official trials, with ASFA or AKC judges who will watch your dog run with others of its breed and give points for enthusiasm, follow, speed, agility and endurance. 

To get the title of  field champion, your hound will have to accommulate 100 points, and in addition get either 2 First Placements, or 1 First Placement and 2 Second Placements during his running career.  Of course those placements have to be run with competion.  He can't get a first placement if he runs in an Open Stake - alone.

Dogs run at least twice each trial and there are usually 4 stakes from which to chose:

Open - your dog hasn't gotten a title yet and will run with the other dogs who don't have their F. Ch. yet. 

Field Champion - your dog has accommulated at least 100 points and is running with other dogs who have qualified for F.Ch. and is on their way to accumulating points and placements to become a LCM (Lure Courser of Merit),

Veteran - your dog is 6 years old or older, except for whippets who have to be at least 7 years old, and Irish Wolfhounds who need only be 5 years old to be considered a Veteran, and

Single Stake - your dog runs alone and doesn't receive any points.

The hounds are scored by the judges on each of the two runs they make at the trial using the criteria below:

The first run of the day  is called the preliminary run, the second run of the day is called the final run.  Each dog will have a preliminary score and a final score that is summed together to give you a final score.  That score will tell you how well your dog ran, according to the judges,  relative to the others in his stake and breed.  If your dog gets the highest score it wins for the stake.  But if there is a tie for the breed/stake, then your dog may run off against the other dog(s) to get the highest placement.  This is not a requirement as an owner can always forfeit a run off if their dog is too fatigued from the earlier runs.

A note - judges also have the ability to dismiss, excuse or disqualify your dog if it displays aggression or interferes with the coursing of another hound rather than following the lure. 

How do I find out about Field Trials and practices in my area?

You can check out the ASFA website, www.ASFA.org.   They have a very handy calendar and club listings and contacts where you can get information about what clubs are in your area.  Once you find a club, contact them and they will no doubt be happy to have you and your hound's company at their practices and trials.