Lure coursing is the the competitive equivalent of "the hunt." It is designed, as nearly as possible in a controlled environment, to replicate the function of the sighthounds and dual-sense hounds in order to guage ability. This is accomplished by use of an electric motor which pulls a lure around pulleys placed in the ground over a course of at least 600 yards. Dogs are judged on several categories including speed, agility, endurance, follow and overall ability (or enthusiasm). More importantly, the dogs that are "game for the lure" absolutely love it!

If you own a Rhodesian Ridgeback (or Afghan, Basenji, Borzoi, Greyhound, Ibizan Hound, Irish Wolfhound, Italian Greyhound, Pharoah Hound, Saluki, Scottish Deerhound or Whippet) and you have them in good shape, you should definitely check this out.

There are two organizations in the United States which sanction lure coursing events - ASFA (American Sighthound Field Assocation) and the AKC (American Kennel Club). Though the event is basicly the same under both organizations, competition rules and titles and how they are earned vary. Below are links to the ASFA and AKC web sites related to lure coursing.