Lure coursing is a sport for dogs that involves chasing a mechanically operated lure. Competition is typically limited to dogs of purebred sighthound breeds. The AKC has a pass/fail trial for all breeds called the Coursing Ability Test (CAT) and a timed 100 yard dash called Fast CAT where the dog's speed is converted to points. trials, hounds receive a numerical score based on speed (25), agility (25), endurance (20), enthusiasm (15), and follow (15) for a maximum score of 100 points. "Follow" means in pursuit of the lure, not the other dogs. Judges will deduct a pre-slip penalty of up to 10 points for the early release of a hound in a course. Judges can also assess up to 10 points penalty for a course delay. Judges can excuse a hound from competition for failing to run, being unfit, coursing another hound instead of the lure, hound or handler interference, or excessive course delay. Hounds can be dismissed for interfering with another hound. Hounds may be disqualified for being the aggressor in a fight on the field.

AKC

In American Kennel Club trials, hounds are judged for overall ability (10), follow (10), speed (10), agility (10), and endurance (10) for a maximum score of 50 points.

The AKC also offers lure coursing titles for all breeds through the Coursing Ability Test (CAT). This program is pass or fail. To pass, the dog must complete a or course (determined by breed) with enthusiasm.

FCI

In international lure coursing trials in Europe, dogs are judged according to the FCI Regulations for international lure coursing competitions. Lure coursing judges judge the performance of the dogs on the basis of the following five criteria: Speed; Enthusiasm; Intelligence; Agility; Endurance. The maximum number of points to be given for each criterion is 20.

Some European countries (for example, France and Germany) have their own judging systems. Using these systems in international trials is also allowed, as long as the qualifying criteria are within the general FCI framework of rules.

Titles

ASFA

Once an Open hound receives 100 title points plus either two first placements or one first and two second placements, they earn a Field Champion title (FCh). A hound earns a Lure Courser of Merit title (LCM) each time it earns 300 points and four first placements.

Titles can also be earned in Singles stake.

AKC

Once a dog has received 15 AKC lure coursing points, which must include two majors (3 to 5 point at one trial), it will have earned a Field Champion (FC) prefix title. Any dog that has earned the title of Field Champion and has earned 45 additional championship points from the Special or Veterans Stake, shall be awarded the suffix title of Lure Courser Excellent (LCX). The title of Lure Courser Excellent is a cumulative title. Each time a hound accrues an additional 45 championship points, it would be eligible to receive the next title level (LCX II, LCX III, LCX IV, etc.). Once a dog has achieved four qualifying runs (50 point runs) they earn a Senior Courser (SC) suffix title. Twenty five additional qualifying runs after the SC title is earned will results in a Master Courser (MC) suffix title.

FCI

At international lure coursing trials, the CACIL (Certificat d'Aptitude au Championnat International des Courses de Lévriers) is given to the first placed sighthound of each breed and sex, provided that it has achieved at least two thirds of the possible total points. If there are less than six dogs per sex entered, only one CACIL is provided; if there are less than six starters per breed, the CACIL is not given. Sighthounds which did not get at least 50% of the points in the first round, will not be allowed to take part in the second round. The title of an "International Lure Coursing Champion" is given to dogs with complete pedigree, which have gained at least two CACIL within more than 12 months in two different countries, and which have earned at least the qualification "Very Good" at two International FCI dog shows.

Since 2002, the FCI holds an annual European Lure Coursing Championship trial. In 2012, the championships were held in Dunakeszi, Hungary, in 2013 in Pouch, Germany, and in 2014 in Luserna (Italy). The FCI European Lure Coursing Championships took place on 6 and 7 June 2015 in Helsinki, Finland.

Many European countries also have their own National Lure Coursing Championships, as well as National Lure Coursing Cup competitions.

Sanctioning organizations

In the United States, the ASFA and AKC are the two main sanctioning bodies. Hound breeds eligible for competition include:

  • Afghan Hound
  • Azawakh
  • Basenji
  • Borzoi
  • Cirneco dell'Etna
  • Deerhound
  • Greyhound
  • Ibizan Hound
  • Irish Wolfhound
  • Italian Greyhound
  • Norrbottenspets (AKC only)
  • Peruvian Inca Orchid
  • Pharaoh Hound
  • Portuguese Podengo (Medio and Grande)
  • Portuguese Podengo Pequeno
  • Rhodesian Ridgeback
  • Saluki
  • Sloughi
  • Thai Ridgeback (AKC only)
  • Whippet
  • Silken Windhound(ASFA Only)

Breeds that are allowed to compete in ASFA's Limited Stakes are:

  • Chart Polski
  • Galgo Espanol
  • Magyar Agar
  • Peruvian Inca Orchid
  • Portuguese Podengo (3 varieties that are to be run separately)

Only AKC-recognized breeds can compete in AKC lure coursing trials, but all AKC breeds, as well as dogs registered with the AKC's Canine Partners, may participate in the AKC's Coursing Ability Test.

For ASFA, hounds must be registered with an ASFA approved registry, such as the American Kennel Club, National Greyhound Association, the Federation Cynologique Internationale, an ASFA-recognized foreign registry or, in the case of Salukis, a critique registration number from the Society for the Perpetuation of Desert Bred Salukis.

In Canada, lure coursing is sanctioned by the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC). In Canada, the officially eligible breeds do not include the Sloughi, or the Rhodesian Ridgeback. An effort is currently underway to get the Rhodesian Ridgeback included in Canadian lure coursing. The Italian Greyhound, although considered a Toy Breed in AKC is now eligible for Lure Coursing as the CKC recognizes it as a Sighthound.

In Europe, international lure coursing trials are held under the auspices of the Commission for Sighthound Sport of the F.C.I. Trials are organised by local lure coursing clubs, which are either directly affiliated with the national member organisation of the FCI or with a national sighthound club, which again is affiliated with the national FCI member club.

Eligible breeds include all breeds of FCI group 10 (Sighthounds):

  • Afghan Hound
  • Azawakh
  • Borzoi
  • Chart Polski
  • Deerhound
  • Galgo Espanol
  • Greyhound
  • Irish Wolfhound
  • Italian Greyhound
  • Magyar Agar
  • Saluki
  • Sloughi
  • Whippet

The following breeds of FCI group 5 (primitive type) are also allowed to participate; they can gain most national titles and can also take part in the European Lure Coursing Championship trial. However, they can currently not get the CACIL:

  • Cirneco dell'Etna
  • Pharaoh Hound
  • Podenco Canario
  • Podenco Ibicenco (Ibizan Hound)

Basenji, Podengo Português, Rhodesian Ridgeback, and Hortaya Borzaya may participate on national level in some European countries, but they are currently not eligible for FCI international lure coursing trials.

See also

  • Dog sports
  • Championship (dog)

References

Bibliography

  • Lure Coursing Arthur S. Beaman
  • Hounds Hares & Other Creatures, The Complete Book of Coursing by Steve Copold
  • Sighthounds Afield by Denise Como
  • M. H. Salmon ("Dutch"). Gazehounds & Coursing: The History, Art, and Sport of Hunting with Sighthounds, Rev. and expanded 2nd ed. Silver City, N.M.: High-Lonesome Books, 1999. ISBN 0-944383-49-1.
  • Canines & Coyotes by Leon V. Almirall
  • Field Advisory News (F.A.N.), official publication for ASFA
  • Gentiehun Deerhounds - Monthly Lure Coursing in Scotland
  • Video What is lure coursing?