lure coursing

[greyhoundkrissi]

Hi, anybody know anything about lure coursing? I would like to get my Krissi involved in something like this, but i don't know much about it as you can probably tell! She had a wrist injury whilst racing, and i'm wondering if this kind of activity would bring about this problem again. She runs free in the woods, and clocks up a few mph when the mood takes her, or if she sees the odd rabbit or squirrel so she's quite fit and almost at her original racing weight (27kgms) I live in Rainham in Essex, and haven't met many people with ex-racers, so if anybody out there can point me in the right direction i would be most happy! thanx, janina.

 

[aslan]

Try the coursing forum on here Janina - you might get a better reaction there. Down the bottom of the first page of K9 community.

[SIZE=8pt][Moved to Coursing forum - Nigel][/SIZE]

 

[Lydia]

Hi Janina,

I've actually lost the details I had for the lure coursing, the British Field Sports Assosiation or something like that hold regular lure coursing meetings.The chap who organises those is lovely and has Afghans, (or did have).

Somebody else will have his details for you. The lure coursing is held in different places, and, I think they meet either monthly or 2 monthly.

I have got details of another group, The Sussex Longdog Assosiation, their details are www.sussexlongdogs.org.uk, or ring Mick Hawkins 01892 834765. I don't know these people personally, so don't know if they just run longdogs, or pure greys as well.

You could also try our very own Mark Roberts, if you click on his name, you'll be able to contact him. He was orgainising lure coursing for whippy's, you might be able to run your grey at his club.

As for the injury your girl got from racing, it could flare up again. Personally, I think I would give her a try, and see what happens.A club that has the course set up for the larger breeds, would obviously be better for her.

Lyd

 

[BeeJay]

>The chap who organises those is lovely and has Afghans, (or did have).

This is the BSFA new website addy.

BSFA web site

 

[Lydia]

it's years since I've spoken to Gary Peskett, I thought it was Afghans but could easily have been Borzois.

Lyd

 

[BeeJay]

They have 'zio's as well as whippets. Ch Shoalingam Sovereign and Shoalingam Sentennial live with them I think I've got this correct. If not someone will correct me I'm sure.

 

[~JO~]

I would like to take my whippet for a go at lure coursing, I have contacted Gary Peskett for the info. However, can anyone tell me is there anything I need to train my dog to do before he goes?

 

[BeeJay]

I would like to take my whippet for a go at lure coursing, I have contacted Gary Peskett for the info.  However, can anyone tell me is there anything I need to train my dog to do before he goes?

I don't know if Caroline (Dessie), Vanna or Liz Third visit this forum very often. They've all been lure coursing for years and would be good people to offer advice.

From my very limited perspective. All you need is for the dog to be physically capable ie fit and mature enough. Personally I wouldn't lure course a whippet under 1 year old because of the strain on an immature body. Actually I don't know if the BSFA will allow you to compete with one younger than a year anyway. The dog has to chase the lure - which most whippets do. And it's not to interfere (sp?) with the running of the other dog ie grab hold of it and play with it or worse fight it.

First time it's probably best to run your dog with another more experienced one.

Sorry as Scott said run your dog solo as a trial first. Then the first time that your dog competes find a sound experienced one to run with. Most of the dogs running at the BSFA events if they are old enough do compete proper the first time that they go.

With the BSFA the dogs aren't drawn Scott you find your own dog to run against. Mind you that might have changed as I didn't go at all last year. But that's how it was the year before.

 

[Scott Frodsham]

I'd sugeest soloing it for it's first couple of runs. (just my opinion!) :unsure:

Regards,

Scott.

 

[~JO~]

My friend has a lure machine so I could give my 16mnth old a few goes on that first before taking him to a meet - hopefully that should give me an indication as to whether he would chase. But to be honest he chases anything so it shouldn't be a problem!!!

Thanks for the help

 

[Vanna]

Beejay, you've summed it up very well. The BSFA doesn't allow any hound to run before it is 12 months old, and you can choose your own running partner. New dogs usually have a trial first thing, and if they run well, they can compete the same day if you want. Usually it is a good idea to run them solo for the first 2 or 3 runs. They won't be able to win any classes running alone, but that way you can be sure they are following the lure and not the other dog. Once you know they are doing the right thing then let them run with an experienced dog, preferrably of a similar size. (I mean another of the same breed and a similar size - whippets run against other whippets, Salukis againast Salukis etc)

The BSFA website explains how it all works better than I can. The dogs love it!

 

[Liz Third]

I think Vanna has covered most of the points, but I always take mine racing first and so they are accustomed to chasing a lure already. That obviously depends on whether you have a racing club near you. If mine are going well on the lure I run them with a suitable partner straight away. The important thing is to find a running mate who is about the same speed, and who does not cheat by cutting off corners, this will only teach your new one to do the same. If they watch a few runs before going themselves they will soon pick it up. Good luck with yours, see you at the lure-coursing!