What is Lure Coursing?Created in the 1970's, lure coursing was designed as a safer way for sighthound owners to test and preserve their hounds' hunting & coursing abilities. Instead of live game, hounds chase plastic bags tied to a string.
Hounds run alone, in pairs, or in a group of three, and are judged on several categories. In ASFA, these categories are follow, agility, enthusiasm, speed, and endurance. In AKC, the categories are follow, speed, agility, endurance, and overall ability. Hounds run a minimum of two times, and their scores are added together to determine placements. There are many lure coursing titles a hound can earn. AKC and ASFA both offer Field Championship titles. |
What are Coursing Ability tests?In 2012, the American Kennel Club added Coursing Ability so that dogs of all breeds and mixes could earn titles in lure coursing. CATs are similar to "Singles" stakes in lure coursing. Dogs run by themselves and are only scored on a Pass/Fail basis. The dog must run continuously and with enthusiasm to pass. Three passes earns the dog a CA title, 10 total passes earns the dog a CAA title, and 25 total passes earns the dog a CAX title. For each additional 25 passes, a number is added to the CAX. A Dog with 50 passes has a CAX2 title, a dog with 75 passes has a CAX3, etc.
As long as the dog is registered with the AKC as a purebred or through the AKC Canine Partners program, they are eligible to run in CATs. |