Lure coursing is a form of simulated hare hunting.

Lure coursing – a beloved activity

Lure coursing is a form of simulated hare hunting where the dog chases a “cloth” across an open field. For the podengo, which in its home country of Portugal is often used for hunting mainly rabbits, Lure coursing can be an absolute favorite activity. We have met several podengos who squeal with joy immediately when they hear the sound of the rope running the cloth around the track, including podengo Fidde who even becomes hard to hold as soon as he hears the quad bike start to pull out the cloth for the next race.

The rope with the cloth at one end is laid out around 10-15 pulleys in the ground and then a motor pulls in the cloth/hare which is chased by two dogs in each race. The “hare” throws in different directions just like a real hare would do to get away. During a Lure coursing test, the dogs run two races on the same day. How the dogs run and how they chase the hare is observed by judges on the course. The assessment and scoring is based on five criteria, see heading Criteria.

How do I start?

The dog must have reached the age of 9 months to participate in LC training, but you can start training it at home already as a puppy by pulling a cloth/plastic strips on a string on the floor as a game. If it is 9 months old, you start by taking your dog to a training session. You can try once without being a member, then you need to become a member of the Swedish Greyhound Club. Please note that all dogs participating in training or trials must wear a muzzle, you can contact a Lure coursing club for help with this. Under the heading What equipment do I need? you can read more about how to train your dog to muzzle before you try a race.

Once your dog has run a number of training runs and shown that it is focused on chasing the rag and can run with another dog, you may want to go ahead and have the dog run license runs. In the license races, the dog runs during training in front of a licensor who decides whether the dog runs passed.

Licence race

You can arrange a support dog yourself, the support dog does not have to be of the same breed. Before the start of licensing, the dog must run at least 1 solo race and 1 pair race, which are noted on the application form for the license book that you print from SvVK’s website. A license is awarded to the dog after 3 approved license races that must be completed on at least 2 different training dates and approved by at least 2 different licensors, alternatively one and the same judge can approve all 3 races. The 3 approved licensed races may not be conducted with the same support dog. The races should, if possible, be run with support dogs of both sexes. Bitches that run may not participate.

Podengo Portugues Pequeno and Medio must be 15 months old to run the last license race, Podengo Portugues Grande must be 18 months old.

When can my dog start competing?

After three approved license races, in front of two different licensors, the dog has received its license to participate in lure coursing tests where it has a chance to get a certificate and ultimately a championship. Please note, however, that the dog must run against another dog of the same breed in order to be certified.

Lure Coursing test (competition)

Podengo Portugues may only participate in CSS class, not in international test. Bitches that run may not participate. The maximum age for starting dogs is 8 years old, which also applies to support dogs. Dogs may start in the year they turn 8. The track length should be between 400-700 meters for Podengo Portuguese Pequeno/Medio, respectively 600-1000 meters for Podengo Portuguese Grande.

The minimum number of starters in a breed is 2 participating dogs, if it is only 1 it will count as an exhibition race outside the competition and the dog will not be credited with any points for the race.

Criteria

The judge evaluates the dog’s Lure coursing characteristics according to 5 criteria; Agility, Speed, Endurance, Obedience and Enthusiasm and you can get a maximum of 20 points per moment for these 5 = 100 points per judge. A dog that has not achieved at least 50% of the maximum points in the first round may not start in round 2. A passed test is awarded to a dog that has obtained at least 50% of the maximum points in both races, if this is not achieved, the dog is not approved and is therefore removed from the results list. To be awarded a certificate, the dog must obtain at least 75% of maximum points. ATTENTION! There is a rule regarding maximum temperature during training and competition, svvk.se

What equipment do I need?

The dog needs to have a special muzzle that is approved for Lure Coursing, it is designed so that the dog can breathe/pant properly with an open gap which they must be able to during and after a race. So you cannot buy a “normal” muzzle in the zoo/dog store. Only a few models are approved for LC, and you can get tips on suppliers via Agneta Österberg, whose contact details you can find under the heading Where can I read more about Lure coursing further down.

Also keep in mind that the dog usually needs to get used to having a muzzle, therefore feel free to train it with just a muzzle for LC, for example the Australian model, see picture below, which can feel a little freer. Let the dog familiarize himself with the muzzle at home first, and maybe on a few walks, so he gets used to it before an LC race.

You also need two LC blankets (a small “vest”), one red and one white respectively, if you want to run license races or LC tests with your dog.

Where can I read more about how Lure coursing works?

www.pklc.svvk.se contains all the information you need to start with Lure coursing, there you will also find a calendar for training and LC tests. In the Podengo Friends Facebook group, there is also Agneta Österberg, who has extensive knowledge in Lure Coursing and can answer questions via email to:

What is Sled hare respective roundabout?

Sled hare is another, similar way to train dogs that like to run fast. You can read more about it under the tab Sled hare.

Short about Lure coursing

Try practice runs once with no membership required.
Become a member of the Swedish Greyhound Club if you want to continue.
You need to get an approved muzzle and LC cover.
Then start with practice runs until it works well.
After that, you can run licensed races (3 approved) with your dog.
Finally, Lure coursing test/competition where the dog can win a certificate.

Tips for some links and Facebook groups

Licensrace

In the video below, Tizzel Fidelio Of Kaspar “Fidde” runs a license race in Katrineholm. Agrião De Viamonte “Mozart”, who already had a license, entered the race as support dog.

LC test (competitive race)

Here is the LC test in Norberg and Fidde takes his first certificate. You can follow him and Björkbygdens Blomsterälvan Rosetta ”Ettan” for most of the race. As you can hear, waiting dogs howl eager to start after Fidde and Ettan.