Coursing
Hunting, or coursing, is the ultimate game to play with your Saluki. It is the breed's raison d''tre and their continued use for this purpose has preserved them as they are over a long period of time. The Saluki is a prime hunting machine and weapon; his natural born instincts give him a strong desire to run down and catch whatever he sees moving. Of course, these instincts can get him into trouble if he's turned off lead in the wrong place at the wrong time. The first thing to remember is to hunt with a Saluki in remote and totally safe areas, far from roads, livestock, or other temptations that can lead to disaster. Bear in mind, a Saluki is an endurance runner and can go for miles. Second, make sure your Saluki gains experience and is conditioned slowly and progressively until he is capable of running down and catching prey.
The best strategy is to start him as a youngster. Raise him with regular visits to open fields where he can learn about natural barriers, obstacles, and changes in terrain, and at the same time build a solid, strong body, a foundation capable of handling what is in store. If you are starting with an older dog, be sure he is in good health and weight, and work him slowly up to the condition necessary to handle the rigors of running down and catching game. Typical courses are one to two miles in length; your Saluki will be expected to run this distance at full speed and return prepared to do it again.
White- and black-tailed jackrabbits are the main prey hunted in the US; one or both are found in most of the states west of the Mississippi. Ideal terrain is vast, open areas of preferably flat or slightly rolling fields, with natural cover moderate enough to house and hide the prey, yet still afford a good view of the course.
Although many people enjoy spending a day in the field with their Salukis, just hunting and watching them run, others prefer some form of organized event as a social and competitive outlet. In North America, two organizations have been formed for this purpose. The events, referred to as hunts, are judged on a specific system and hounds are scored on each day's performance. Credit is given for catching (taking) the game. Titles are awarded based on specific requirements, placements, points, and take credits.
The National Open Field Coursing Association (NOFCA) awards the titles Coursing Champion (CC) and Award of Coursing Merit (CM). Primarily based in California, NOFCA holds most of its events there, but regularly sponsors others in New Mexico, and occasionally in Nevada. In the past, hunts have been organized as far east as Minnesota.
Hunts may be for one specific sighthound breed (referred to as a breed hunt), or for various breeds competing against each other (known as a mixed hunt). Since the weather is hot, and the ground dry and hard most of the year, the competitive coursing season is limited to late October through February. The grand finale for each NOFCA coursing season is the Grand Course. A hound must earn an invitation to this event by obtaining a required number of points throughout the season, as well as possibly meeting other requirements.
The North American Coursing Association (NACA) awards titles similar to NOFCA's, with the initials NACC and NACM representing them. NACA is based mainly in Wyoming, with hunts also held in Nevada, Utah and Idaho. The weather can be more extreme in the areas used by NACA, and their hunting season ranges mid-September through April. The special event held at the close of their season is called the Whitetail Invitational. Again, specific requirements must be met in order for a hound to compete in this event.
New areas suitable for hunting are always being sought, as hunting with hounds is legal (with proper permit) in most mid-western and western states.
Whether or not one chooses to hunt in organized competitions, providing a Saluki with the opportunity to course live game will bring the BIGGEST smile to his face and possibly yours, too!
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One of the most popular sports that Saluki folk enjoy is lure coursing. Although it was organized in the US by some of the same individuals who established the official clubs for open field coursing, the two sports have relatively little in common. Factors such as each lure course's brief length and the lure chasing hounds' inability to 'work' the game illustrate two major differences.
In lure coursing, your Saluki chases a plastic lure attached to a motor operated line approximately 600 to 1200 yards long, stretched out in an irregular, zigzag pattern over a field. Slipped singly, or with one or two other hounds, the Saluki follows this fast-moving lure and is graded on his agility, speed and other attributes. Salukis that excel at this sport are exceptionally keen to chase the "plastic bunny", and follow the lure closely, cutting into the corners deeply and showing blazing bursts of speed. Most lure coursing judges admit that the Saluki is the most beautiful of the sighthounds to watch run the lure.
Coursing demands that your hound be absolutely fit and experienced at running on varied turf. Remember to warm up and cool down your Saluki with adequate stretching and walking before and after his run. Preparation for competitive youngsters includes much off lead running in fields and forests with other dogs, from puppyhood and throughout their competitive years, to produce Salukis that can manage the ground under them, and understand the cues from their running mates. This sort of experience also produces hounds that are reliable off lead. Many owners continue to course older hounds who may be past their prime, and as long as the dogs are fit enough to handle the sprint, it's a wonderful way to spend the day.
This sport, along with open field coursing, is somewhat more dangerous than are the others. Opportunities for high-speed crashes abound, especially with inexperienced hounds. Your Saluki must also be able to run without being aggressive to the other hounds on the field with him, and must be tested as running clean prior to entering an official lure coursing event.
Lure coursing organizations include the American Sighthound Field Association (ASFA) and the American Kennel Club. Titles range from Junior Courser (JC) to Field Champion (FCh or FC) to Lure Courser of Merit (LCM). Many coursing trials are held around the country and throughout the year, depending on the climate in each region. Lure coursing clubs all offer testing at their trials, and once your Saluki is certified, you can enter just by going to the trial on the morning it starts, but make sure you arrive well before Roll Call!
Lure coursing, unlike open field, allows you to stay in one spot, so enthusiasts tend to bring along a lot of gear on the day. Chairs, water and tents for shade are the basics. On a hot day a small inflatable swimming pool, filled with ice cubes which melt slowly into cool water, can supply a welcome respite for your Saluki. For winter trials, warm coats are in order.
Camaraderie and watching your Saluki do something he really enjoys are wonderful reasons to take up this sport on a casual basis. Excelling at lure coursing also demonstrates your Saluki's ability to focus, his mental resiliency, his ability to forgive competitor aggressions and his overall health in what, during a prolonged competitive season, can prove to be a physically demanding sport.
Materials are from: http://www.salukiclub.org/