Many of you may not know that the sport of lure coursing exists and is available in the Valley from fall to late winter. Field trials are conducted under the rules of the American Sighthound Field Association and there are three local clubs that hold them:

• Desert Fun Bunch
  
• The Arizona Whippet Association (AzWA)
  Rhonda Gifford 480-982-2412
• Arizona Gazehound Association (AGA)
  Julie Konwent at  julswhippet@aol.com or 602-867-8174

Greyhounds and the ten other breeds of sighthounds are eligible to compete. Prizes are awarded as ribbons, with the ultimate goal of attaining the title of Field Champion.

Ideal candidates to compete in lure coursing are those greyhounds that have been retired six months or less. It is best if your dog has only gained one or two pounds more than its racing weight as it is easier on its body to run carrying less weight. Also, recently retired dogs will have retained a greater percent of their racing condition than dogs that have been out of training longer.

Work is required on your part to keep your hound in coursing condition, not just during coursing season, but in the off season as well, so that condition is not lost. A brisk half hour walk three to four times a week would be a good minimum, with jogging or bicycling with your dog being even better.

It is advisable to try your dog in a practice race to help you decide if lure coursing is right for you and your dog. Practice races are run at the end of the day’s coursing. Dogs are judged on speed, agility, enthusiasm, endurance and follow (the lure) so a practice run will allow you to see how your dog does compared to these criteria. It will also allow you to see how easily you can catch your dog after the lure brings it back to the starting line. They must run with no collars on for safety reasons. In coursing, the dogs are allowed to catch the lure at the end of the race — something our retired racers have never been allowed to do before. The lure, consisting of white plastic bags running on a thin line a few inches above the ground, is usually eagerly grabbed and shaken by the dog. The owner slips in and re-collars the dog while it is distracted by the lure. If you have watched races at Phoenix Greyhound Park, you have seen the ease which the handlers catch the dogs while they are looking to see where the lure went.

After running a practice race, if you have decided to continue, the next step, is to get your dog certified to race. Certification races are run each morning of the two day field trials before the regular races begin. Your dog will have to run against another greyhound or sighthound of similar running style to make sure that it won’t intentionally bump an opponent. Most greyhounds have no trouble getting certified. Two judges watch the race and then sign a form saying your dog ran clean. You need to provide your dog’s NGA "volume and certification" numbers on the form.

Now your dog is ready to compete in the Open Greyhound Stake — preliminary and Final Courses. You may be surprised to learn that the majority of dogs competing in lure coursing are not greyhounds and most of the greyhounds that do compete are show dogs, not retired racers. Our dogs, with one year of training and two to three years of racing behind them are the logical choice of dog to compete in lure coursing. They usually are faster than the show greyhounds, too.

When you see how excited you dog gets when it sees the lure and see the tail wagging and the mouth open in a happy grin at the end of a course, you’ll know you made the right decision in deciding to compete your dog.

Field trials are open to spectators, so even if you’re not competing a dog, you can come see what it’s all about.

You can call the NGA (National Greyhound Association) at (785) 263-4660 and give them your dog’s left and right ear tattoo numbers (easily found on your copy of the adoption agreement) in order to get your dog’s volume and certification numbers, the NGA’s equivalent to an AKC registration number.