Frequently Asked Questions
What is a sighthound?
A sighthound is a type of dog whose original function was to hunt at great speed using their eyesight and are typified by their long, lean bodies. Breeds of sighthound are generally recognised as:
Afghan Hound
Azawakh
Borzoi
Greyhound
Ibizan Hound
Irish Wolfhound
Italian Greyhound
Pharaoh Hound
Saluki
Scottish Deerhound
Sloughi
Whippet
There are other breeds who are recognised along with the sighthound breeds for lure coursing.
These are:
Basenji
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Do I need to own a sighthound to be a club member?
Whilst we are a sighthound club, we welcome members with non sighthound breeds. To apply for membership, please download a membership form and submit it to our club secretary.
A sighthound is a type of dog whose original function was to hunt at great speed using their eyesight and are typified by their long, lean bodies. Breeds of sighthound are generally recognised as:
Afghan Hound
Azawakh
Borzoi
Greyhound
Ibizan Hound
Irish Wolfhound
Italian Greyhound
Pharaoh Hound
Saluki
Scottish Deerhound
Sloughi
Whippet
There are other breeds who are recognised along with the sighthound breeds for lure coursing.
These are:
Basenji
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Do I need to own a sighthound to be a club member?
Whilst we are a sighthound club, we welcome members with non sighthound breeds. To apply for membership, please download a membership form and submit it to our club secretary.
What is Conformation Showing?
Conformation showing (or dog showing) is a competition which is based on the way a dog's individual physical elements (ie its conformation) come together and how closely they represent a breed standard (basically a list and will physically go over the dog (run their hands over the dog's body), and watch the way a dog moves around a ring, to assess the way its physical characteristics impact the dog's movement. The dogs are then ranked according to how close the judge believes they adhere to the standard. The best male and female chosen from the breed will then compete to have a Best of Breed; this dog then goes on to compete with the best of the other breeds which form the Group of dogs, the best of these dogs then goes on to compete with the best of the other Groups of dogs for the Best in Show title.
Conformation showing (or dog showing) is a competition which is based on the way a dog's individual physical elements (ie its conformation) come together and how closely they represent a breed standard (basically a list and will physically go over the dog (run their hands over the dog's body), and watch the way a dog moves around a ring, to assess the way its physical characteristics impact the dog's movement. The dogs are then ranked according to how close the judge believes they adhere to the standard. The best male and female chosen from the breed will then compete to have a Best of Breed; this dog then goes on to compete with the best of the other breeds which form the Group of dogs, the best of these dogs then goes on to compete with the best of the other Groups of dogs for the Best in Show title.
What is Lure Coursing?
Lure Coursing is a dog sport that is the humane, and better controlled, version of live coursing.
In its simplest form, lure coursing is a simulation of a live-game hunt, whereby a course is set up to mimic a path a rabbit/hare would take in a field. A plastic bag is used as the prey, which is on a pulley-system and driven along the course at speed by the lure-driver (this must be kept close enough to the dog to encourage interest, but not so close as to enable the dog to actually grab the bag).
Lure coursing is targeted toward sighthounds; however, all breeds of dogs can enjoy and even excel at the sport.
Lure Coursing is a dog sport that is the humane, and better controlled, version of live coursing.
In its simplest form, lure coursing is a simulation of a live-game hunt, whereby a course is set up to mimic a path a rabbit/hare would take in a field. A plastic bag is used as the prey, which is on a pulley-system and driven along the course at speed by the lure-driver (this must be kept close enough to the dog to encourage interest, but not so close as to enable the dog to actually grab the bag).
Lure coursing is targeted toward sighthounds; however, all breeds of dogs can enjoy and even excel at the sport.
Last updated 21st March 2019
