THE BASIC DO's and DON'Ts OF LURE COURSING FOR NEW COMPETITORS
Have control of your dog at all times.
Ensure that your dog has shade and access to water.
Toilet your dog BEFORE coming onto the field.
Allow your dog to warm up and cool down.
Ask questions if you are unsure! We were all new once and learning about the sport and are more than happy to answer questions.
Ensure that all unnecessary equipment is removed from the dog prior to entering the field. This includes: cool coats, harnesses, flea/tick collars, e-collars and any other non lure coursing equipment.
Be prepared to catch your dog at the end of it's run. If you need to bring out a food or a toy, please do so in order to catch the dog in the quickest method possible.
Bring your own sun protection. The Queensland sun is very harsh and a lure coursing trial runs over approx 5+ hours. This is a lot of time to be out in the sun unprotected.
Ensure that you have closed in shoes on when entering the field. This is a requirement of our rules.
Have fun. Lure Coursing is a great sport. The dogs love it and as do we.
Do not leave your dog tied up. Either have the dog in a crate or on lead with you at all times.
Do not allow your dog to interfere with another dog's or person's personal space.
Do not crowd the gate area. If it is your turn to run, be close to the gate, otherwise let the Gate Steward know you are here, and move away from the immediate area surrounding the gate.
Do not use a check chain or harness to bring the dog onto the field. Flat collars and head halters only.
As much excitement as you are having and your dog is having, do not scream out to your dog in excitement whilst they are running. 9/10 this results in new dogs running back to their owner instead of continuing to course. Save all of the praise until your dog is back at the finish mark.
Do not bring more than one dog onto the Lure Coursing Field. You are only allowed to handle one dog per person.
Do not bring dogs to the gate area and ask unknown persons to hold your dogs for you. This is dangerous. If you have multiple dogs running closely together, simply let the gate steward know and they will more than likely slide someone in front of you.
Do not be disheartened if your dog doesn't run. Some dogs naturally have the instinct straight up, some take time and others never develop the drive to chase. It happens. You are not alone.
GUIDELINES FOR NEW COMPETITORS These guidelines are intended to help new competitors to understand the progression of the competition from your dog’s first trial to a title. This simple explanation is intended to assist in making sure dogs are entered in the correct class. You are strongly advised to read the Rules which are found on Dogs Queensland Website.
MEMBERSHIP + REGISTRATION You must be a member of Dogs Queensland or another Canine Control Council to compete in ANKC Lure Coursing Trials. Your dogs must either be on the ANKC Main Register, Limited Register, Sporting Register or the Associate Register in order to compete. If your or your dogs are not registered / members, you will need to complete that process before pursuing a Lure Coursing career.
JUNIOR COURSER
The first trial you enter is a Junior Courser (JC). To enter a Junior Courser Test, your dog must be minimum 12 months of age on the day of the trial. You must achieve a pass (score more than 150 points total over two runs on the day). You must pass two JC trials (two runs in each trial). This will give you your JC title. You must achieve this title to progress further.
SIGHTHOUND STREAM
With your Junior Courser now complete you can then choose:
To run your dog alone for a Singles title (sFCH). To achieve the title you must earn 40 points. Points are earned at every trial where the dog scores more than 170 over the two runs of the trial.
or To run your dog for a Field Champion title(FCH). In this case your dog must pass a Qualifying Course (QC) to prove it will course with another dog. Your dog can run its first Open Stakes on the same day as it does a QC if you wish. If it fails the QC it can run in singles on that day. Points are awarded according to placings against other dogs of the same breed in Open Stakes. Points are not transferable between Singles and Open Classes. In order to run in the Open stream, you will need to purchase coursing blankets for your dogs and a muzzle.
IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER BREED OR AN ASSOCIATE REGISTERED SIGHTHOUND
All other breeds and Associate Registered dogs compete in the Coursing Ability stream. On the completion of Junior Courser, dogs are entered in the "Coursing Ability" class. From here they will require 10 passes in order to achieve their next title.
IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE COMPETITOR TO ENSURE THAT DOGS ARE ENTERED IN THE CORRECT CLASSES. PROGRESSION TO SINGLES, OPEN OR CA WITHOUT THE REQUIRED JC PASSES WILL RESULT IN SUBSEQUENT RUNS BEING NULL AND VOID.
ETHICAL BEHAVIOUR AT LURE COURSING EVENTS
The Dogs Queensland Code of Ethics requires that:
As a member, it is incumbent on me to also abide by the following requirements: (a) conduct myself politely and with integrity at CCCQ Ltd approved events; (b) conduct myself in a sportsmanlike manner at such events and in any related activities or communications; (c) respect the reputations of other members, including Judges at CCCQ Ltd approved events and comply with the Dogs Queensland Social Media Policy and Guidelines
At Queensland Sighthound Association lure coursing events, it is expected that, to comply with the above, exhibitors will
Arrive at the vetting time advertised for their class
Present their dog at the gate when their number is called
Follow the instructions of the Huntsmaster at all times
Catch their dog in a timely manner
Accept the decision of the judge(s) politely
Control their dog at all times while on the ground – dogs should be in a crate or on lead in the care of a responsible adult who ensures they do not interfere with another dog. They should not allow their dog to approach other crated dogs
Not enter their dog
if the dog is pregnant
for 10 weeks after they have delivered a litter
if they have been treated for a medical condition or undergone surgery until their Veterinarian has cleared them as fit to run
Any query or complaint concerning scores or placings must be made to the Trial Manager on the day. The Trial Manager will investigate and, if they deem the query justified, will consult the judge and/or the Trial Secretary to amend the score or placing. No scores or placings will be amended after the event.
If exhibitors wish to discuss their dog’s run and/or score with the judge, they should speak to the Trial Secretary or Trial Manager, one of whom will be present at the discussion. They will not under any circumstances contact the judge after the event.