Coursing
In lure coursing, dogs chase an artificial lure across a field, following a pattern that is meant to simulate live coursing.
A typical lure course is between 500 and 1000 meters long, and may incorporate some obstacles or jumps. The course must have a minimum number of turns in order to simulate prey (the jack-rabbit or hare) changing direction in a chase. The fields can be fenced or not. Dogs are coursed by breed in braces (two) or trios (three), based on the number of dogs available for the run.
If a dog is lure focused they will typically follow the lure from start to finish and not run off course. Dogs with some considerable lure experience, termed “lure-wise”, may try to anticipate or “cheat” by attempting to cut off the lure instead of trying to capture the lure using follow, speed and agility. Sighthounds generally have no need to be trained or enticed to chase the lure since the desire to chase is instinctual. However some breeds may require lure play at a very early age to encourage them to follow an artificial object with enthusiasm. Serious training and conmpeting should not start too early, however, as the hard fast turns are tough on a dog’s developing joints and lure coursing before the age of one can cause joint problems later in life. Dogs must be at least one year old to compete officially.
We are not aware of any official regular pumi competitors in coursing, but a lot of people have tried their pumis in this sport recently. The above picture was taken of Ménesvölgyi Prézli Mamusz and here is a video of Annabell Bohemia Vivace from the Checz Republic who have recently tried their skills in coursing:
