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What is Lure Coursing.
Lure Coursing
is usually limited to sighthounds, that is, dogs that use
their eyes rather than their noses for hunting. (For example
- Afghans, Borzois, Greyhounds, Irish Wolfhounds, Ibizan Hounds,
Pharoah Hounds, Deerhounds, Salukis, & Whippets.) We also
include the Basenjis, Beagles, & Rhodesian Ridgebacks with
these hounds.
Any other dog, pure bred or not, that has a penchant for the
chase, may compete.
Hunting with dogs goes back to antiquity, as can be seen by
pictures and tapestries in Art Museums.
Lure Coursing is now a sport which is
extremely popular in England, Europe, & the USA & came to
Australia in the form that we practice now in the early eighties.
It first came to Queensland and now New South Wales, Victoria,
& Western Australia have regular meetings.
Lure Coursing tries to stimulate the
hound's natural instincts for coursing.
The "Lure" (a bunch of plastic strips, skin or a plastic bag)
is tied to a rope that is pulled around spindles & pulleys
by a motorcycle especially designed for this purpose.
The course pattern is irregular & somewhat similar to the
way a hare might run in the open field.
NO
LIVE GAME IS EVER USED IN THE TRIALS
or the training of the lure coursing
dogs.
The R.S.P.C.A. has
fully endorsed our sport and has commended our efforts for
promoting responsible dog ownership.
Not only do we encourage good health & safe exercise for our
dogs, but all our officials are always ready & happy to direct
newcomers to the right source of information concerning any
health, dietary or handling questions they might have.
In an official Lure Field Trial,
the dogs are released on the Huntsmaster's call of "Tally
Ho" & they follow the lure around the course.
Each dog is scored on it's enthusiasm, follow, agility, speed
& endurance.
After the scores are totaled a the end of the day (each dog
is run twice) prizes are awarded to the 1st, 2nd & 3rd dog
in each breed, with the overall winner of the day getting
special recognition.
These points allotted go towards the titles of Field Champion
& for those dogs that already have that title, Lure Courser
of Merit.
NO
GAMBLING IS INVOLVED WITH THIS SPORT.
As in all sports,
the athletes in this case the dogs can sustain injuries, although
much rarer than in human competitions, it seems that dogs
never push themselves to their absolute limit.
We have a Veterinarian in attendance at most of our functions
& Safety & First Aid officers are present at every meet.
Finally,
no amount of detailed description will ever be able to convey
the atmosphere of a Lure Coursing Meet unless you actually
participate!
How your Dog is Judged.
Lure
Coursing is not only a test of speed & your dog is evaluated
on the following points:
*ENTHUSIASM:
(Max 15 Points) Lively, single minded, showing great eagerness
& determination in regard to the lure, after the "Tally-Ho"
& until the lure passes the marked "Finish" for the course.
*FOLLOW:
(Max 15 Points) Chasing the lure with the intent of taking
it, while maintaining a path of reasonably close proximity
to the lure's course, considering the relative positions of
the dogs to the lure and to each other. Keenness is exhibited
when the dog reacts immediately to any change in the motion
of the lure. A dog that becomes unsighted for some good reason
& yet attempts to find the lure again is not severely penalised,
depending on how hard it works at trying to find the lure
again, & how soon it does so.
*SPEED:
(Max 25 Points) Rapidity in moving, the rate of moving or
progress. Credit goes to the dog, which levels out low, stretching
& really drives. Since timing is not used to measure speed,
the dog's manner of "putting out" is an important means of
assessing its ability to cover ground.
*AGILITY:
(Max 25 Points) The ability to move quickly & easily. Nimbleness
in negotiating terrain, which may cause a dog to slip or slide.
Turning without going wide or cutting or breaking stride.
Co-ordination of movement.
*ENDURANCE:
(Max 20 Points) Lasting quality, stamina of physical & mental
concentration. Credit is given to the dog, which does not
fade, or pull up or slacken.
PENALTIES: Pre-slip penalty
for dogs whose handlers start their dogs before the Hunts
master has given the "Tally-Ho".
Course delay penalty:
Dogs which delay their course or whose handlers delay the
course may be penalised, but not by trying to retrieve the
lure upon completion of the course.
That
is how a judge assesses the performance of your dog, even
though a judge's decision is final you are welcome to discuss
your dog's performance or ask for help in case of non-performance,
with any of the judges present on the day.
Lure Coursing Code of Ethics.
1.
Subject to clause 8b(iv} of the constitution - Any member
found guilty of baiting a dog with
live game shall be immediately banned
for life from the Lure Coursing Association (Inc.}
or an affiliated club or association.
2. It is the owner's responsibility
to ensure that the dog is in good health.
3. Bitches in season
must not be raced during their season and from
(6} six weeks from the onset of season -for the bitches welfare.
4. No puppies under the
age of (9} nine months to be raced in competition.
5. Instructions and Directions
of the Officers of the Day; Hunts-master, Judges, Chief Steward,
Lure Operator, Safety Officer, and Registration Officer must
be respected and obeyed.
6. Dogs must be kept on
suitable lengths of restraint for public safety and animal
welfare.
7. Cleanliness of the
grounds -including removal of dog droppings -are the responsibility
of the dog's owner or agent.
8. No "Interbreed"
racing during competition.
9. "Interbreed" racing
during training runs
will be at the discretion of the Hunts-master
of the day.
10. It is recommended
that dogs run in pairs whenever possible.
11. That all dogs on the
Lure Coursing grounds be under control of an Adult at all
times, with the definition of an Adult to be 16 years of age
or over. -
12. Adults only to be
in catching pen during
races or at
Hunts-master's discretion.
13. Only officials
or other authorised persons
to be allowed on the Course during races.
14. In the case of disputes;
the decision of the president, secretary
and other authorised persons
will be final.
15. All protests
must be in writing
with a $10.00 fee and
submitted to the Racing Secretary
on the day.
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Information supplied by:
Queensland Lure Coursing Association
www.qldlurecoursing.com
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Photo taken by:
www.dogs4sale.com.au
Links to Lure Coursing Information
http://www.lurecoursing.org.uk/
- Good information
http://www.k9web.com/dog-faqs/activities/lurecoursing.html
- Good information
www.qldlurecoursing.com
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