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Searching for something entertaining to do with your dog? Maybe a terrific social gathering with other dog lovers? Look no further than lure coursing, an old practice that is experiencing a resurgence. According to research, Lyle Gillette and other California sighthound enthusiasts established lure coursing as a performance in the 1970s, and lure coursing was established in the United States.It’s first used to evaluate and preserve sight hounds’ coursing abilities securely without utilizing any live game.

Lure coursing was created as a safer and more regulated activity that mimicked the physical demands of open-field coursing. The hounds follow plastic bags around a course designed to resemble a game escape. Dogs that participate in a lure-coursing sport must chase an electronic lure.  At every course tournament, the course pattern is different and erratic, using a hand-controlled motor, plastic bags are pulled down on a nylon string course. There is no breed restriction on lure coursing participation. It involves two streams: one for sighthounds and another for all dogs.     

Why take up lure coursing?

Lure coursing is a better choice if you have dogs that appreciate a hard pursuit in a secure setting, or if you have a sighthound and you love seeing them uncover and utilize their instincts and abilities. Pharaoh hound, whippet, Irish wolfhound, Saluki Deerhound, Borzoi, Greyhound, Italian Greyhound. Sloughi are among the sighthound breed that makes up the sighthound stream. In the sighthound stream, Basenjis and Rhodesian Ridgebacks are also competitors.

Terriers and other high-energy, independent breeds with natural hunting instincts will also enjoy lure coursing as a sport and for dogs to take part, they must be healthy, extremely fit, and agile.

Will my dog course?

It’s important to know that there’s no guarantee that your dog will chase a lure; some will start chasing as soon as they sense movement, while others will take a few runs to figure out what’s expected of them. Typically, dogs competing in obedience and agility take a little longer to begin chasing the lure. However, dogs competing in obedience or agility have been trained to obey their handler’s commands and to stay within a certain distance of them. There are no commands on the coursing field other than to let your dog know the time to run and catch its target.

Is your dog a good fit for lure coursing?

Not every dog is particularly enthusiastic about lure coursing, even though it is arguably the most enjoyable activity for some. However, breeds that belong to the sighthound category are the ones that are most naturally skilled at dog lure coursing when hunting. Sight hounds- also known as gazehounds- rely on their keen sense of vision and their innate capacity for fast running.

Breeds of sight hounds include:

Whippets and Greyhounds among others, Afghan hounds, Borzoi Irish Wolfhounds, and Salukis. These dogs are typically born with a few similar characteristics, such as pointed snouts, long legs, high hips, and narrow waist which enable them to identify prey and hunt it down quickly.                 

Dog species are similar in many ways, however, sight hounds are different from other dogs in that they hunt mostly by sight rather than scent. Finding safe ways to let these dogs participate in this behavior might be challenging for the typical pet parent. Dogs that participate in lure coursing maintain ideal physical health, find a supportive network of other handlers, and have an organized outlet for their natural behavior.

How can you determine if your dog is a good fit for lure coursing?

Firstly, all competitors must refrain from acting in a reactionary manner. They have to be more engaged with the visual hunt than the other dogs. Additionally, they must be in excellent physical health.  Make sure to have a full physical examination from a veterinarian, preferably one with experience in dog sports.

There is a risk with any dog sport. Dogs acting erratically, getting hurt physically, or aggravating undiagnosed medical issues are among the things to take into account. You can visit ASFA or AKC websites for more information if you are interested in learning more about the sport or competing with your holy hound.

Are there dog lure-coursing devices?

Apparently, there are a lot of lure-coursing devices that are available. They are basic to competitive. There is also a range in the prices. The materials’ quality, maximum speeds, and durability all vary. It is also important to take caution when setting up a lure course in your backyard. Your dog may get hurt if they take too many sudden twists. Make sure to do your  research on the best machine course layout for you and your dog to avoid buying irrelevant devices that aren’t useful for your dog.

The next section below explains the rules you need to know as regards lure coursing.

Lure coursing rules

• You are permitted to have an aggressive dog, but it must be under control
• Every dog needs to be kept in check. Dogs should never go “nose to nose” without permission of both handlers. 8 feet apart with a 4-foot lead is a safer rule of thumb   
• When running the course, all dogs must be kept on a leash at all times.
• Dogs that are aggressive against people are not permitted on the property. Dogs that are aggressive towards people will be asked to leave (no refund granted).
• Once your dog enters the field, there are no refunds, even if they decide not to race.                                         
• You have to give a signed waiver before your dog is allowed to run.
• Tidy up your dog’s mess
• If you bring kids, please make sure they behave themselves. Never allow them to pet another dog without the owner’s consent
• Take good care of your dog including  housing, water, and heating

What dogs are interested in lure coursing?

Lure coursing offers numerous advantages to dogs who are inherently inclined to pursue moving objects, both psychologically and physically. Physically, pursuing objects across the field exhausts almost any dog, producing healthy, energetic dogs that are swift and powerful. Dogs find that lure-coursing stimulates their minds by helping them to focus and by letting them satisfy their innate, hardwired inclinations, which makes them feel happier.

What are the benefits of lure coursing?

Not only does lure coursing provide all dogs with excellent exercise, but it also boosts the self-esteem and endurance of the canines, according to Feinberg.

Below are the benefits of lure coursing:

• Dogs can develop their recall skills and experience the excitement of pursuing in a secure setting.
• It provides structure and direction to a simple stroll while also assisting in the development of a dog’s confidence, socialization abilities, and ability to ignore everyday distractions.
• It also aids in removing extra energy and adding extra strength
• The dogs have a fantastic run, which benefits their level of fitness.
• It’s also a fantastic chance for people to meet new people get out and spend time with other dog enthusiasts.

Conclusion

In this article, we have examined what lure coursing is,  its benefits, rules, and also how to know if your dog is a perfect fit for lure coursing. We hope that this article will give you the necessary answers that you might want to know as regards lure coursing.