What is Lure Coursing?
Lure Coursing is a tradition steeped sport dedicated which was traditionally started to give sighthounds an ability to hone their age old skills of hunting using their eyes rather than their noses. Lure Coursing tries to stimulate the hound's natural instincts for coursing, by chasing the "Lure" (a bunch of plastic strips, skin or a plastic bag) that is tied to a rope and pulled around spindles and pullies by a motorcycle especially designed for this purpose. The course pattern is irregular and somewhat similar to the way a hare might run in the open field and certainly keeps the dogs and their owners entertained.
Traditionally, a sighthounds included Afghans, Borzois, Greyhounds, Irish Wolfhounds, Ibizan Hounds, Pharoah Hounds, Deerhounds, Salukis, and Whippets. But we at QLCA like to think that the sport shouldn't be limited to the sighthounds only, so we have included Basenjis, Beagles, & Rhodesian Ridgebacks with these hounds as well as any other dog, either purebred or not, that has a penchant for the chase, to come along and compete.
Hunting with dogs goes back to antiquity, as can be seen by pictures and tapestries in Art Museums, but as all good things, Lure Coursing has evolved over time and is now a sport which is extremely popular in England, Europe, and the U.S.A. and came to Queensland, here in Australia in the early eighties in the form that we practice now. Lure Coursing has since spread across the country and can be found in New South Wales, Victoria, and Western Australia, who all have regular meetings. Its safe to say that we here at QLCA where the first to join the fun in Australia and we have never looked back.
Traditionally, a sighthounds included Afghans, Borzois, Greyhounds, Irish Wolfhounds, Ibizan Hounds, Pharoah Hounds, Deerhounds, Salukis, and Whippets. But we at QLCA like to think that the sport shouldn't be limited to the sighthounds only, so we have included Basenjis, Beagles, & Rhodesian Ridgebacks with these hounds as well as any other dog, either purebred or not, that has a penchant for the chase, to come along and compete.
Hunting with dogs goes back to antiquity, as can be seen by pictures and tapestries in Art Museums, but as all good things, Lure Coursing has evolved over time and is now a sport which is extremely popular in England, Europe, and the U.S.A. and came to Queensland, here in Australia in the early eighties in the form that we practice now. Lure Coursing has since spread across the country and can be found in New South Wales, Victoria, and Western Australia, who all have regular meetings. Its safe to say that we here at QLCA where the first to join the fun in Australia and we have never looked back.
History of QLCA
In 1984 Steve and Sabine Mueller arrived from Germany, bringing with them their Afghan hounds and after being involved in Lure Coursing in German for many years, and racing their Afghans on the Greyhound tracks with the Afghan Hound Club for a few months, they decided that there was a need to find a more natural form of chasing for their dogs and many similar dogs with their penchant for the chase. Steve and Sabine floated the idea of lure coursing, however nobody here knew what this was and after a lot of detailed discussions and explanations to many people, decided to give it a go here in Australia.
To read more about the History of the Club, you just click this link.
To read more about the History of the Club, you just click this link.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is any live game ever used in the trials or training of the Lure Coursing Dogs?
No live game is never used in the trials or the training of the Lure Coursing Dogs. The R.S.P.C.A. has fully endorsed our sport and has commended our efforts for promoting responsible dog ownership. Not only do we encourage good health and safe exercise for our dogs, but all our officials are always ready and happy to direct newcomers to the right source of information concerning any health, dietary or handling questions they might have.
What happens during an Official Lure Field Trial?
In an official Lure Field Trial, the dogs are released on the Huntsmaster's call of "Tally Ho" and they follow the lure around the course. Each dog is scored on it's ENTHUSIASM, FOLLOW, AGILITY, SPEED and ENDURANCE. After the scores are totalled at the end of the day (each dog is run twice) prizes are awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd dog in each breed, with the overall winner of the day getting special recognition. These points allotted go towards the title of Field Champion and for those dogs that already have that title, the title of Lure Courser of Merit.
Where do these Field Trials occur?
We are leasing our grounds at Wally Tate Park, Kuraby from the Brisbane City Council & we keep bags, scoops, bins and so forth on hand for safety and cleanliness. We completely police our fully dog proof fenced area and are very proud to leave the area in perfect condition for our next Lure Coursing Meet. To access the park go through the carpark at the Mosque and keep driving up a narrow bitumen road that says 10kms per hour and you will see the park in front of you.
No live game is never used in the trials or the training of the Lure Coursing Dogs. The R.S.P.C.A. has fully endorsed our sport and has commended our efforts for promoting responsible dog ownership. Not only do we encourage good health and safe exercise for our dogs, but all our officials are always ready and happy to direct newcomers to the right source of information concerning any health, dietary or handling questions they might have.
What happens during an Official Lure Field Trial?
In an official Lure Field Trial, the dogs are released on the Huntsmaster's call of "Tally Ho" and they follow the lure around the course. Each dog is scored on it's ENTHUSIASM, FOLLOW, AGILITY, SPEED and ENDURANCE. After the scores are totalled at the end of the day (each dog is run twice) prizes are awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd dog in each breed, with the overall winner of the day getting special recognition. These points allotted go towards the title of Field Champion and for those dogs that already have that title, the title of Lure Courser of Merit.
Where do these Field Trials occur?
We are leasing our grounds at Wally Tate Park, Kuraby from the Brisbane City Council & we keep bags, scoops, bins and so forth on hand for safety and cleanliness. We completely police our fully dog proof fenced area and are very proud to leave the area in perfect condition for our next Lure Coursing Meet. To access the park go through the carpark at the Mosque and keep driving up a narrow bitumen road that says 10kms per hour and you will see the park in front of you.
Is there any gambling involved?
NO. No gambling is involved with this sport as strictly outlined in our rules.
What happens if a dog sustains an injury?
As in all sports, the athletes, in this case the dogs, can sustain injuries, although much rarer than in human competitions (it seems that dogs never push themselves to their absolute limit) and for this reason we have a Veterinarian in attendance at most of our functions. Safety & First Aid officers are present at every meet.
Are there any restrictions to a dog racing?
Any dog with a drive for chasing is welcome. However puppies under nine months are not to be coursed in competition but may be trialed during specially designed runs for Novice and puppies, to be taken before and after the official event. For these runs, no written entries are required. Also bitches in season are not to be coursed.
My dog is not a pure breed, does this matter?
Any dog not registered with a club or other body that is recognised by the A.N.K.C. or the Greyhound Racing Control Board will compete in the Unregistered section. Competitors in this section are not graded and do not receive Championship points. They compete for designated awards on the day as well as the Year End competition for the Best Unregistered Dog.
What is it like to attend a Field Trial?
Finally, no amount of detailed description will ever be able to convey the atmosphere of a Lure Coursing Meet unless you actually participate!
NO. No gambling is involved with this sport as strictly outlined in our rules.
What happens if a dog sustains an injury?
As in all sports, the athletes, in this case the dogs, can sustain injuries, although much rarer than in human competitions (it seems that dogs never push themselves to their absolute limit) and for this reason we have a Veterinarian in attendance at most of our functions. Safety & First Aid officers are present at every meet.
Are there any restrictions to a dog racing?
Any dog with a drive for chasing is welcome. However puppies under nine months are not to be coursed in competition but may be trialed during specially designed runs for Novice and puppies, to be taken before and after the official event. For these runs, no written entries are required. Also bitches in season are not to be coursed.
My dog is not a pure breed, does this matter?
Any dog not registered with a club or other body that is recognised by the A.N.K.C. or the Greyhound Racing Control Board will compete in the Unregistered section. Competitors in this section are not graded and do not receive Championship points. They compete for designated awards on the day as well as the Year End competition for the Best Unregistered Dog.
What is it like to attend a Field Trial?
Finally, no amount of detailed description will ever be able to convey the atmosphere of a Lure Coursing Meet unless you actually participate!
