Fun For Every Dog

By LaDonna Seely, Star Tribune Sales and Marketing

Last update: December 28, 2007 - 5:45 PM

Cheering, clapping and laughing encouraged dogs of every shape and size to set off in pursuit of a white plastic bag. While some pooches gave chase at lightening speed, others ambled along, looking otherwise unimpressed and ready for a nap. Either way, the lure course at Doggie Palooza on October 29 in St. Louis Park provided non-stop entertainment for first-timer dogs and spectators alike.

Watch the fur fly

What began as the competitive sport of live bait coursing in which dogs chased and hunted an animal by sight, rather than scent, has morphed into a testing and skills training event that measures and improves dogs' coursing instincts. The lure, a plastic bag or artificial fur, is attached to 600 to 1,000 yards of string strung around a series of mechanical pulleys arranged to simulate the running and turning behaviors of prey. Dogs chase the "bait" while judges score the hounds on enthusiasm, speed, endurance, agility and how accurately they follow the lure.

All breed and sight-hound-only options

While American Kennel Club competitions are sanctioned only for sighthound breeds (Whippets, Basenjis, Greyhounds, Italian Greyhounds, Afghan Hounds, Borzois, Ibizan Hounds, Pharaoh Hounds, Irish Wolfhounds, Scottish Deerhounds, Salukis and Rhodesian Ridgebacks), lure coursing has grown in popularity with all breed owners.

Laurie Stromberg, owner, Lure Coursing Fanatics the first all-breed coursing club in the country, can testify that all dogs love the thrill of the chase. "I love watching the dogs get excited about playing this game," Stromberg says. "I don't care what size or color they are, what their nose looks like, or what type of hair they have."

Started just three years ago, Lure Coursing Fanatics attracts customers from as far away as Minneapolis to its two-acre fenced course in Somers, Wis. Stromberg also travels throughout Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and recently received an invitation to Texas to set up lure courses for fundraisers and demonstrations. She is also helping all-breed lure course organizations get started in California and Denmark.

Local clubs

For sighthound owners in Minnesota, many more lure coursing options are available. There are three clubs in the Twin Cities area: the Northland Amateur Racing Club, the Greater Twin Cities Whippet Club and the Minnesota Coursing Association, plus a new upstart in Duluth called Goin' Up North Coursing Club.

Although dogs cannot compete in American Sighthound Field Association trials until their first birthday, it's best to encourage dogs' chasing instincts when they are very young. "As they get more intent and ready to compete, we expose them to running with other dogs," says Gail Wieberdink, Greater Twin Cities Whippet Club secretary. "If they don't run a clean race, or interfere with other dogs, they will get disqualified. So just hold your breath and hope for the best."

LaDonna Seely is a volunteer for A Rotta Love Plus, www.arottalove.org, an award winning rottweiler and pit bull rescue, adoption and education organization.