A day at the races: Lure coursing at Prado Park
Lure coursing involves sight hounds competitively chasing an electronic lure (white plastic bags) around a gigantic field. The dogs compete by breed in trios: e.g three Salukis, three Whippets etc. They are judged on: following (no short cuts on the winding chase), agility (turning sharp corners), speed, endurance, and enthusiasm. I think every dog scored 100% in the last category. These dogs howled and strained to be let loose for the chase. I have grouped the dogs in the order of their competing: Whippets (Whippets rule lure coursing — the fastest and the most entries), Salukis, Basenjis, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Irish Wolfhounds, Russian Wolfhounds (Borzois), Ibizan Hounds, and Pharoah Hounds. (Alas, no Afghans or Greyhounds at this trial.
Of particular note is the Saluki, Reya (a lure coursing queen), who is a rescued dog now a champion. She is the black and white Saluki.
Also, see the high speed collision between two Pharoah Hounds pink and turquoise vests) and their immediate rebound. Note that the Pharoah Hounds run with mouths wide open because they bark all the way through the course — the only sight hounds to do so.
2 years ago • Notes