Lure coursing - harmless fun or ........

[poacher3161 1,766]

not all lurcher's will actually run a lure,I've tried to time my dogs on many occassions down the year's with my mates greyhound lure and have never had a lurcher that would run it,my mate the greyhound trainer reckons once they have run a lot of live quarry you are wasting your time trying,I suppose if you ran them from a pup and they knew nothing else it would work,so my question to you lure courser's would be,"do any of you run live quarry regularly?"this is not a criticism but a genuine question and would like some honest answer's,yis,wirralman

I believe alot of the non ped raceing people will not let their dogs see live quarry as pups as the dogs are in the learning process but have heard them running rabbits when older.I am going on when a mate whos now retired from work was running a pup on for another mate a well known lad on the non ped raceing scene and from a 12 week old pup he would take him down to the allotment to spend the day with him .The path to the allotments young rabbits would be running about and the pup managed to catch one when it was 4 and half month old and another at 5 month the lad who he was running it on for wasent pleased and took the pup back the dog later became a supreme raceing champion but my mate laughing said if he had seen meny more rabbits as a young dog he believes he would not have entertained the lure.atb dell

[Tom Pickering 28]

not all lurcher's will actually run a lure,I've tried to time my dogs on many occassions down the year's with my mates greyhound lure and have never had a lurcher that would run it,my mate the greyhound trainer reckons once they have run a lot of live quarry you are wasting your time trying,I suppose if you ran them from a pup and they knew nothing else it would work,so my question to you lure courser's would be,"do any of you run live quarry regularly?"this is not a criticism but a genuine question and would like some honest answer's,yis,wirralman

 

One of my oldest bitches who always used to look keen and as soon as the lure moved she wouldn't chase. I got into racing so used to take her along with the other dogs upto the polo field but she never seemed that bothered and one day just seemed to click. The first year she chased the lure at 5 1/2 years old. She got reserve endurance dog at chatsworth and reserve in the coursing at midlands and a couple more, so abit of a late starter to say the least. Shes 7 1/2 now and still gives the young ones a good run.

With regards to quarry definatly wouldnt say shes done lots, but does everything singled handed that dosent give much of fight back. Shes completley different (in a good way) when out lamping compared to my other two which got introduced to the lure and bunnies at the same time - learn from my mistake

[chartpolski 27,715]

not all lurcher's will actually run a lure,I've tried to time my dogs on many occassions down the year's with my mates greyhound lure and have never had a lurcher that would run it,my mate the greyhound trainer reckons once they have run a lot of live quarry you are wasting your time trying,I suppose if you ran them from a pup and they knew nothing else it would work,so my question to you lure courser's would be,"do any of you run live quarry regularly?"this is not a criticism but a genuine question and would like some honest answer's,yis,wirralman

I believe alot of the non ped raceing people will not let their dogs see live quarry as pups as the dogs are in the learning process but have heard them running rabbits when older.I am going on when a mate whos now retired from work was running a pup on for another mate a well known lad on the non ped raceing scene and from a 12 week old pup he would take him down to the allotment to spend the day with him .The path to the allotments young rabbits would be running about and the pup managed to catch one when it was 4 and half month old and another at 5 month the lad who he was running it on for wasent pleased and took the pup back the dog later became a supreme raceing champion but my mate laughing said if he had seen meny more rabbits as a young dog he believes he would not have entertained the lure.atb dell

 

I've known a lot of Non-Ped and Greyhound men who have given their pups a rabbit or two to "keen" them up, when they've shown no interest in the rag, usualy worked.

 

Cheers.

[wirral countryman 2,110]

I know what your saying chartpolski and it definitely works for a track dog when its losing interest or flagging a bit,it does sharpen them up,but too many live drops and they won't run the hare(track),all track dogs are introduced to the lure from an early age before seeing anything,its an age old trick,but not one you can use too often,atb,wirralman

[collie/grey 238]

My dogs won't 'lure' course, they will only straight race but not chaseing the lure, they run but wait for dogs to pass them and chase the dogs!! I find it abit of fun and lets the dogs burn off abit of steam while they've been walking around on lead all day, the dogs only like it cause they can run with the other dogs, my pup raced for the first time at the yorkshire game fair and she just ran after the other pups then came back I think if a dog works regular they won't race after the lure purely because they know the lures fake!

[mooshka 22]

I never did lure coursing with Willow but loved Straight racing throughout the Summer.. enjoyed the social gathering of friends and dogs.. Lurcher Racing has become a competitive sport for some and when your dog is faster than the rest you get a little proud :-) Willow was always kept in peak condition/fitness and could withstand running in extreme heat. Providing you are responsible and take good care in these conditions I don't see that running in the summer is a problem...

 

If you want your dog to chase the lure for a bit of summer fun then you would need to start them as a pup otherwise they have no idea. I've been to many lure coursing events but only at gamefairs where it seems to be just a bit of fun but as for the straight racing it seems to be getting more and more like greyhound racing and soon see lurchers coming out of traps... I can only give my opinion on gamefair racing not the official lure coursing events but yesterdays straight racing at the poachers rest show, saw the two fastest dogs on the day in peak condition and both good workers... with the overall winner being a rough coated bitch!...