MAHA Lure Coursing CAT test

Ran Pow in the AKC CAT ( Coursing Ability Test) with MAHA last weekend

Huge amount of fun. Got there midday on Sat, walked the dogs (Powwow, Punch and Malcolm), set up the popup, crated and watered and then walked around. Watched several races before checking in, studying the course, pondering body mechanics and the amazing speed of the Whippets and Greyhounds. Really interesting watching all the different sighthounds and coursers - temperaments and body mechanics. Greyhounds, Whippets, Italian Greyhound, Borzoi, Afghans, Basenji, Ibizan and Rhodesian Ridgebacks in attendance at the MAHA meet.

Took Pow over and let him watch two races - that was all it took to get him fired up and ready to course. At check in, the stewards checked us off the list and made sure any females were not in heat, and gaited us up and down a bit to ensure there were no lameness or movement issues. After that, we waited some more for all the races to be done. Then they moved on to settling tied scores, then did Best of Breed runs, then the final Best in Field run - where each top breed dog ran together. I think it was an Ibizan, Whippet and Greyhound in one run in the weekend. Interesting to see them run against each other.

Lots to listen to and watch. Listened to talk about what makes a good lure operator - and saw it in action as a dog got tangled in the line and the operator came to a quick stop to prevent injury. Heard about different aspects of runs, how the lure operator can help the dogs out, and which dog in a run you orient the lure to (the one that is actively pursuing it, not cheating or attempting to run ahead). There was discussion about how much of a game lure coursing is and abstracted from the real thing, as the cheaters might be the more likely hunters, cutting corners and attempting to outwit the plastic bags, tough prey that they are.

It was hot, but I kept the dogs wet on the underside, and come time to queue up for the CAT test, Pow was still fine. It was about 5 pm when we ran. He nicely heeled up to the start, I fiddled stupidly with the leash (note to self: make slip leads for next coursing outing), and waited for the lure operator, judge and huntmaster to give the ok and make eye contact with each other. They asked if we were ready, hand signaled for the lure to start moving, and yelled "Tally Ho!!" And off he went. And he disappeared over the hill, to reappear in hot pursuit of the lure back towards us, and off again in a different direction. When finally the lure came to a stop after 600 yds, I called my dog, he came, I leashed him up and the judge handed us an orange Q ribbon, first leg accomplished!

The other CAT test breeds: Golden Retriever, Norfolk Terriers, Belgians, GSD's, I think Wire Fox Terriers, Border Collie, Doberman and something that might have been a Staffy or Staffy x Beagle cross. I'm probably missing something, but that gives you an idea of the wide range of fanatics.

The Rhodesians looked like they really would shine on an endurance course, longer than 900 yds. They seemed to fall into a steady pace, intent on simply running the bags until the bags gave up. The Borzoi seemed a bit bothered by the heat, and turned themselves off if feeling the situation not right. The Greyhounds were pretty steady, as were the Whippets - many runs of both of them. The one Iggy I saw lost sight of the lure yesterday once, and run uphill in an attempt to see the lure - eventually the lure was run back out to pick him up, as he was intent on staying out in the field to hunt it up! Ran great on his second run of the day. The Ibizans seemed to bark a bit while running, and were fun to watch - they seem to be a little other worldly and different from the other hounds.