Sport and travel

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

Care and raising

First heat

If you’ve got a little female puppy at home, first heat might catch you off guard, so it’s not a bad idea to make some preparations ahead.

Interesting information

Dogs at work

Domestic dog is the oldest domesticated animal and it has provided accompaniment to humans for 14 thousand years at the minimum. During this time, it underwent numerous changes and a long development. All the dog breeds of today are a result of human...

Interesting information

Dogs and horses

I am not much of a horse person, but from time to time, I like to go horse riding. Usually, I leave my fuzzy friends at home. The presence of horses upsets them. When I was getting my dog fellows, I didn’t think about the fact that not all the breeds...

Interesting information

Why do dogs dig?

If you take pride in your nicely groomed garden and your dog belongs to the category of the so-called diggers, it probably doesn’t make you very happy. However, frantic digging in earth doesn’t please not even us, who wink at a few holes in the grass....

Care and raising

How to train calling with a whistle?

Calling a dog is without any doubt one of the most important commands that the dog should reliably master at any situation. Most often, we call the dog using the command “come”, but we can also emphasise it with a whistle. It pays off mainly in...

Interesting information

Five myths about dogs

I have always thought, that I know my four-legged fellows to their last hair, but there’s always something that manages to surprise me and there’s always a lot to learn from them. Some of the myths are so deep-rooted, that one doesn’t even fall upon...

Výchova a péče

How do the dogs and cats hear?

Simply put: much better, than us, humans. And cats even hear much better than dogs. But from experience, I can say, that it also depends on what and whom they want to listen to. How is it with dogs?

Care and raising

How to unteach your dog to beg?

Does your dog beg for food at the table? Do they beg even from strangers when you’re at a restaurant? Then you should know, that you are one-hundredth percent guilty of this yourself. If a dog learns to beg for human food, it is an educational mistake....

Care and raising

Dog Puzzles

When the weather is lovely rather for ducks than dogs for a longer period of time and long walks don’t come into question, my fluffy friends are getting get bored at home and start with their shenanigans. I always try to think of a home activity to...