Coursing isn't only about the speed, but also about the dog’s desire to hunt

Hunting and exercise. If the dog loves both these activities, then coursing is the perfect activity for it. This cross-country race is based exactly on the desire of the dog to catch its prey.  

Hunting and exercise. If the dog loves both these activities, then coursing is the perfect activity for it. This cross-country race is based exactly on the desire of the dog to catch its prey.

Coursing, such as typical oval racing, is mostly associated with greyhounds. Cross-country races are becoming an increasingly more popular sport even for other active dog breeds. Of course, also for their masters. This way, the ancestors of the dog don't matter. The important thing is the desire to hunt.

Hare coursing, that is, running after a live hare, rat or cat, is prohibited in the Czech Republic. You can only try Lure coursing, when the dogs hunt for an artificial substitute or some tassel.

Dogs run the races preferably on a slightly sloping surface and empty meadow. The bait is dragged by a winch across the meadow zig-zag, so that it simulates a running hare. The route of the race should consist of natural obstacles, so that the dogs could also show their intelligence. The goal is to catch the bait.

The race has two parts, in each of which the dogs run a different route. There are always two dogs of the same breed and sex against each other, distinguished by colour cloths. Their performance is evaluated according to speed, effort to catch the bait, dexterity, endurance and intelligence. The maximum amount of points to be earned in one round is 100. If the dog gets 50 points, then it can advance to the second round. The winner is, naturally, the one with more points.

So, in coursing, it's not only about time in which the dog is able to catch the bait. Overall, its hunting instincts, that will show during the race, are important. Therefore, it's not good to force your dogs into racing if they're not into hunting. You will not get a good performance from them without the desire to hunt.

The best way to find out is to visit a coursing training. You don't need any special equipment for that. But if you decide to race, you must get a coursing licence. It is limited only by the age of the racer, that is, your dog, and its fitness. For racing, you must get a muzzle and a coursing cloth or a collar.

 

Related articles

How to Help a Dog with Arthritis

Arthritis ranks among the most frequent diseases of the joints in dogs. It is accompanied by pain and limitations for physical activity. And because it cannot be cured I’ll give you some tips how to make the life of your buddy with arthritis easier.

Obesity in Cats

Nowadays even our pets are subject to diseases of civilization. Obesity is no good for them as well as for people. Do you know how to tell if your cat is obese and what are its causes and consequences?

Anaplasmosis – Hidden Threat

The season of ticks is back again and so it is the right time to start protecting our pets. These parasites also bring anaplasmosis except from borreliosis. And the fact that this disease is not generally know does not undermine its serious impacts on...

The Secrets of Cats’ Whiskers

The whiskers on cats’ face are probably too noticeable to ignore them. But do you know all the places where cat’s whiskers with sense of touch are? And do you know how this comprehensive tactile body functions?

How Assistance Dogs Help Children Read

As you might know, the assistance dogs help people with various physical or mental disabilities nowadays. But there is a program in the US and in other countries which helps children to improve their reading and communication skills.

Why to Use Grain-Free Dog Food?

We are all try to give our dog companions the best, from health care to the leisure activities. Nutrition is no exception to that and it is prone to modern trends similar to those of regular human food. Reducing or opting out the grain from the diet is...

How to Work It Out When Your Dog Has to Rest

Whether it has undergone castration or any other surgery, your dog needs to rest more after it. But this can sometimes seem almost impossible. To “force” your beloved pet to rest is not easy, indeed. A few tips how to handle this situation follow.

How to administer a pill to a cat

If you have one of the furry furring balls at home, maybe you know, in what kind of devil some of them are capable of turning into, if you need to give them a pill. If your cat belongs precisely among those, in which it’s almost a superhuman task, I...