Lure Coursing Competitions

Lure Coursing & Lure Pursuit Sanctioned Events

What is Lure Coursing?

Lure coursing is a performance sport developed in the early 70s by Sighthound fanciers who hunted jackrabbits in the open field. They invented lure coursing as a safer, more controlled sport for Sighthounds that would recreate the physical requirements of open field coursing, allowing them to continue testing the functional abilities of their hounds. Lure coursing aims to preserve and develop the coursing skills inherent in Sighthounds and to demonstrate that they can perform the functions for which they were originally bred. The hounds chase plastic bags on a course laid out to simulate escaping game. The plastic bags are pulled around on a nylon string course, propelled by a hand controlled motor.

A coursing dog should have the ability to course without showing signs of undue stress or lack of fitness. Coursing tests many aspects of a dog’s physical structure and temperament. Consequently, dogs who participant in lure coursing need to be both sound and fit.

Lure Pursuit  Sanctioned Events provide an opportunity for Non-Sighthound to participate in lure sport, and to test their fitness, soundness and drive. 

Both Lure Coursing and Lure Pursuit test the dog’s instinct, physical structure and temperament.

Who can participate?

Lure Coursing is open to the following Sighthounds registered on the Main or Limited Register with Dogs Australia.

Sighthound stream breeds are: Afghan Hound, Azawakh, Borzoi, Cirneco dell'Etna, Greyhound, Ibizan Hound, Irish Wolfhound, Pharaoh Hound, Saluki, Deerhound, Sloughi, Whippet, and Italian Greyhound.

Although not recognised as Sighthounds in Australia, Basenji and Rhodesian Ridgebacks are considered eligible breeds for the purposes of Lure Coursing Sanctioned Events.

Lure Pursuit is open to all other breeds and Associates registered on the Main, Limited, Associate and Sporting Registers.

Try Out & Development Days

Try Out & Development Days are an opportunity to see if your dog will run without the pressure of a trial. Assistance is provided to both dog and handler that is not available during a sanctioned event.

For further information regarding Try Out & Development Days, please contact the following clubs:

• Fast Paws Sydney Inc
  https://fast-paws.com

• NSW Lure Coursing Association (Sighthound Development Days)
  https://www.nswlca.com.au

Do I need to buy special equipment?

Not unless your dog is in the Sighthound stream and you plan to run your dog in Open or Field Champion Classes. If that is the case, once your dog has qualified as a Junior Courser and passed a Qualifying Course you will need to purchase “blankets” (racing jackets) for your dog in the recognised colours of yellow, pink and blue, along with a muzzle (non wire).

For more information contact the Lure Coursing Competitions Working Party or one of the club's that hold events.

Lure Coursing Huntmaster's NSW

Please find below a list of persons who have either completed the DOGS NSW Lure Coursing Working Party Huntmaster Training or have been deemed suitably experienced to perform the role of Huntmaster at a Lure Coursing or Lure Pursuit sanctioned event, Try Out, Fun Run or Education Day.

Lure Coursing Lure Operator's NSW

The following Lure Operators are deemed suitably experienced and competent, in accordance with the Dogs Australia Lure Driver Competency Standards (effective from 1 January 2023), to operate the lure at any Lure Coursing sanctioned event, Try Out or Education Day.

• Bear Paintain (Lure Coursing Lure Driver – Trainer & Assessor)

• Tony Maxwell

• Daniel Blackwell

• Jamie Ang

• Seamus Kelly Vella Aloisio

Should an affiliate or individual have an enquiry regarding Huntmaster or Lure Operator training, please contact the DOGS NSW Lure Coursing Competitions Working Party via email: jckwndrs@gmail.com.