Lure coursing -- a unique sport in the Valley

PETERSEN-FREY/For the Frontiersman

The Palmer fairgrounds went to the dogs. At least for one day. On Sept. 21 a lure coursing trial took over the east side of the grounds as 15 dogs competed in chasing a fast-moving lure. The trial was the second hosted by the Valley based Alaska Winds Coursing Club. At the completion of the Sunday trial the club was sanctioned by the American Sighthound Field Association to hold field trials that will contribute to a competitive dog's overall points in lure coursing field events.

Lure coursing consists of a lure, usually a white plastic bag, tied to a moving line that is dragged around a pre-arranged course or continuous loop. The course simulates the way a rabbit might run and the lure travels at 35 to 40 miles per hour over this curvaceous course. An average course is 500-600 yards in length. Both the ASFA and the American Kennel Club sanction lure coursing as an official competitive event for sighthounds.

Sighthounds are dogs that were traditionally used to hunt game by sight rather than by tracking. These dogs specialize in rapid running. Breeds approved as sighthounds include Afghan hound, Basenji, borzoi, greyhound, Ibizan hound, Italian greyhound, Irish wolfhound, whippet, Rhodesian ridgeback, Saluki, Scottish deerhound and pharaoh hound. During competition the dogs are judged on characteristics such as speed, agility, endurance, ability to follow, enthusiasm and overall skills.

Local whippet owner Ren/e Clayton was a founding member of the Alaska Winds Coursing Club. She purchased her first Whippet in 1985 and learned from the breeder about lure coursing. She and her family now own six Whippets.

"I've never had to train my dogs," Clayton said. "Chasing a moving object is an inherited keenness that is automatic, the dog either runs or he doesn't." Clayton does admit, however, that some dogs do need a more structured training program. Similar in appeal to agility trials that have grown in popularity among dog owner of all breeds, lure coursing is an enjoyable, humane way to test a dog's abilities and to have some fun as well.

During a trial dogs run in groups of two or three, each wearing a brightly colored vest to distinguish one from the other. The speed and agility displayed by these dogs is impressive. A Whippet is small and light on his feet, while the Rhodesian Ridgeback displays strong powerful strides. Lure coursing is the natural progression of hunting dogs into sport. It is exciting to watch the natural grace these dogs exhibit as they travel at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour.

Present at the Sunday trial was Mike Hussey, regional director for the ASFA. Mike traveled from Colorado to serve as a judge for the trial and also to ensure that the club followed procedures that would allow eligibility for sanctioned field events. Alaska Winds expects to hear whether they received sanction within the next few weeks. The winner of Sunday's trial was Rhodesian ridgeback Ch. Anchor Ridge Zomari Mata Hari, nicknamed Zo‘, owned be Steve and Connie Wright.

Can any sighthound participate in a field trial? Not exactly. Rules established by the ASFA do not allow for noncertified dogs to enter a competition. To become certified a dog must run a clean qualifying run with another dog in the presence of an ASFA judge. Clubs such as the Alaska Winds hold regular practice sessions and can assist a new sighthound owner in preparing his or her dog for lure coursing. In addition to basic training the dog must be registered as a sighthound and registration papers are required at all events.

To learn more about lure coursing, check out the Alaska Winds Lure Coursing Web site at www.akwinds.com.