Lure Coursing Competitions
Lure Coursing & Lure Sanctioned Events
What is Lure Coursing?
Lure coursing is a performance sport developed in the early 70s by Sighthound fanciers who hunted jackrabbits in the open field. They invented lure coursing as a safer, more controlled sport for Sighthounds that would recreate the physical requirements of open field coursing, allowing them to continue testing the functional abilities of their hounds. Lure coursing aims to preserve and develop the coursing skills inherent in Sighthounds and to demonstrate that they can perform the functions for which they were originally bred. The hounds chase plastic bags on a course laid out to simulate escaping game. The plastic bags are pulled around on a nylon string course, propelled by a hand controlled motor.
A coursing dog should have the ability to course without showing signs of undue stress or lack of fitness. Coursing tests many aspects of a dog’s physical structure and temperament. Consequently, dogs who participant in lure coursing need to be both sound and fit.
Lure Pursuit Sanctioned Events provide an opportunity for Non-Sighthound to participate in lure sport, and to test their fitness, soundness and drive.
Both Lure Coursing and Lure Pursuit test the dog’s instinct, physical structure and temperament.
Who can participate?
Lure Coursing is open to the following Sighthounds registered on the Main or Limited Register with Dogs Australia.
Sighthound stream breeds are: Afghan Hound, Azawakh, Borzoi, Cirneco dell'Etna, Greyhound, Ibizan Hound, Irish Wolfhound, Pharaoh Hound, Saluki, Deerhound, Sloughi, Whippet, and Italian Greyhound.
Although not recognised as Sighthounds in Australia, Basenji and Rhodesian Ridgebacks are considered eligible breeds for the purposes of Lure Coursing Sanctioned Events.
Lure Pursuit is open to all other breeds and Associates registered on the Main, Limited, Associate and Sporting Registers.
TITLES
| LURE COURSING TITLES | TITLE | SASH |
| Junior Courser | JC. | YES |
| Senior Courser | SC. | YES |
| Singles Field Champion | sFC. | YES |
| Single Lure Courser of Merit | sLCM. | YES |
| Single Lure Courser Excellent | sLCX. | YES |
| Field Champion | FCH. | YES |
| Lure Courser of Merit | LCM. | YES |
| Lure Courser Excellent | LCX. | YES |
| LURE PURSUIT TITLES | TITLE | SASH |
| Junior Pursuit | JP. | |
| Lure Pursuit | LP. | |
| Lure Pursuit Advanced | LPA. | |
| Lure Pursuit Excellent | LPX. | |
| Lure Pursuit Champion | LP CH. | |
| Lure Pursuit Master | LPM. |
More information on titles and eligibility is available in the rules on the Dogs Australia website.
Try Out & Development Days
Try out & Development days are an opportunity to see if your dog will run without the pressure of a trial. Assistance is provided to both dog and handler that is unavailable during a Sanctioned Event.
For further information regarding Try & Development Days please contact the following clubs:
Fast Paws Sydney INC https://fast-paws.com
NSW Lure Coursing Association (Sighthound Development Days) https://www.nswlca.com.au
Do I need to buy special equipment?
Not unless your dog is in the Sighthound stream and you plan to run your dog in Open or Field Champion Classes. If that is the case, once your dog has qualified as a Junior Courser and passed a Qualifying Course you will need to purchase “blankets” (racing jackets) for your dog in the recognised colours of yellow, pink and blue, along with a muzzle (non wire).
For more information contact the Lure Coursing Competitions Working Party or one of the club's that hold events.
More information
Lure Coursing Competitions Working Party Contacts
Lure Coursing Competititons Working Party Chair - Jacki Winders: [email protected]
Lure Coursing Huntmaster's NSW
Please find below a list of persons that have either undertaken the DOGS NSW Lure Coursing Working Party Huntmaster Training or deemed suitably experienced to perform the role of Huntmaster at a Lure Coursing & Lure Pursuit Sanctioned Event, try out, fun run or Education Day.
| Michelle Broadley | 0414 685 137 |
| Shell Gurney | 0404 129 425 |
| Jackie Winders | [email protected] |
| Kerry Hoffman | 0422 513 296 |
| Daniel Blackwell | [email protected] |
| Rachel Gambino | [email protected] |
| Claire Richards | [email protected] |
| Priscilla Hickie | [email protected] |
| Samantha Raines | [email protected] |
| Samantha Hendricks | [email protected] |
| Seamus Aloisio | [email protected] |
Lure Coursing Lure Operator's NSW
The following Lure Operator’s are deemed suitably experienced and competent as per the Dogs Australia Lure Driver Competency Standards (Effective from 1 January 2023), to operate the lure at any Lure Coursing Sanctioned Events, Try Out or Education days:
* Bear Paintain (Lure Coursing, Lure Driver – Trainer & Assessor)
* Tony Maxwell
* Daniel Blackwell
* Jamie Ang
Should an Affiliate or individual have an enquiry regarding Huntmaster or Lure Operator training, please contact the Dogs NSW Lure Coursing Competitions Working Party via email: [email protected]
@dogsnsw
