Just got back from another fabulous day out chez Team Rose. We had a big turn-out - sixteen Deerhounds, including Tara the Wolfhound x Deerhound, and twenty-one other breeds - a mixture of lurchers, Whippets and Greyhounds with the odd terrier thrown in for good measure. New Deerhounds, too - word's clearly getting around. Tara won the Deerhound stakes, from Creubhag and Rannoch (the way the card worked out because of no courses, we ran three in the final) and Jake the small but mighty Bedlington x Whippet won the paher breeds stakes from Flint. The weather was good, if on the cool side for June, the comapny was congenial and the craic was awesome. A huge thank you to Team Rose, not least for the newly built road up to the field which means we can take the cars right up the hill.

Because our dogs and Sue's are all buddies and can be safely let off to play together, Marjory and I hung out for a while after most people had left so that the dogs could have fun. My lot disgraced themselves by sneaking off down the hill to the rabbit warrens with malice aforethought and taking Marjory's Madam with them. This included DownJess, who had spent most of the day doing her famous impression of a hearthrug with no legs in case anyone might ask her to run after a lure. She may be nearly eight, but she is still most definitely up for a bit of mooching while she's got the chance and is definitely keen on going AWOL for a spot of hunting. Fortunately, Kevin got ahead of me when I went to retrieve them and did his own famous impression of a running deer, to be followed up the hill by Tavish, Dileas, DownJess and Madam, all giggling like naughty schoolchildren.

If you're in Scotland or even just visiting, check out the dates on the front page for the next meeting - we'd love to see you.

Just to say thanks again on behalf of all us from Lurcher Link - you made us welcome as always. A few lurchery pics by way of thanks!
Grissom and Pebbles racing

Cheeky Dandy - think I heard someone threatening to tie him to the lure!

L-R Jake (as mentioned above) Holly and Indi

R-L Blanco, Zucco & Biscuit with Pebbles in the foreground

My boy - most dischuffed cos I didn't put his name down

We had a great day out and it was so nice to talk to so many people. We were very pleased with Tara she certainly seems to be getting the hang of things. Sorry we had to dash off so soon after the final but we were starting to worry about our injured greyhound who had been left at home.

I took a few photos of the day and they can be found in my gallery at:

http://www.celtichound.co...nts/dh_june_09/

Here are a few from the deerhound final

we had a great time

counting the days until the 19th of july

thank teamrose

xxx

Wonderful photographs, thank you for the link.

Just wanted to say a big thank you for yet another great day out..old Jack thought he won his races, Holly was besides herself at being allowed to chase, Indi had a ball and Jake never took his eyes off that lure..the final was a close one and on another day i'm sure Flint will take it from Jake. The wee man (Jake) is totally crashed out..he ran his little heart out. We wont make the 19th but will make the 7th of August..cant wait! Thanks again for making us all so welcome.

Looks fab! Really nice pics. I laughed out loud at the description of the wee Yorkie (?) being threatened to be tied to the lure.

We're looking forward to meeting everyone on 19th July when we'll bring up our two holy terrors to see how it's done. Even our oldest, Murphy, will still be too young to race properly, but we're looking forward to meeting all the other deeries, and hounds of all shapes and sizes.

And, of course, the craic most of all.

Michael

I'm interested in finding out more about the lure coursing in the UK.How many judges per trial, and are all the trials you speak of sanctioned - for points? How does the point system work there and at what age are the hounds permitted to begin a coursing career? Under what circumstances would a dog be disqualified? After how long and what would it take to re-qualifiy a dog? When you talk of mixed breeds running, I assume, (a dangerous thing to do..I know) that they do not run with pure bred dogs in a Best in Field run, nor are they awarded points...correct? ? Or, are those events were mixed breeds run just a 'fun run'? Do you offer a 'veterans' run at all runs, or just at Specialties? (for dogs over 7yr) Do you have a puppy run? (not for points)
Thanks - be gentle this time (I'm tired)
Cassandra

Is it Lure Coursing, (as it is here(Canada) or the posted Lure Cursing??

cassandra1260 wrote:

Damn! That's what comes of using Phil's Mac rather than go through to my study and use my own PC which has a much more efficient keyboard!

Back on topic; it could be either or both depending on how your dog is running on the day.

cassandra1260 wrote:

l
Basicaly, none of the above applies to us. We're not official or affiliated (yet) so points don't enter into it. One judge (a second judge is used if the first judge has a dog in a run); first past the post; no qualification necessary. We've never had to disqualify a dog for misconduct yet - we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. We don't run off the best Deerhound against the best other breed, purely because we couldn't take the shame when Jake beat us. We haven't had lure coursing at the breed show (the UK Specialty) for donkey's years and we don't discriminate on age grounds - we hope owners will be sensible about running pups and so far they have been.

That said, I'd be interested to learn how your system works - can you give us a rundown, please?

Murph the Magnificent wrote:


Dandy is my friend's Chinese Crested, but thinks he is much bigger! Dandy is absolutely fearless, and likes the girlies. He walks with my lurcher and his pack mate a saluki, so perhaps he just acts like his big daft mates will help him out:lol:

One of the lovely things about going along to the Lure Coursing is the fact that it is so laid back and welcoming to all breeds/ages, and for folk like me it is a great socialisation for the dogs, as well as chatting to like minded doggy folks. I know many think like me that it is a bit of fun and the dogs always think they are winning, so it would be a pity if it became too competitive, as inevitably someone will be left out. The atmosphere also helps nervy dogs relax, as I've heard so many owners say how pleased they are with their dogs behaviour around such a crowd - perhaps that's the laid back vibes of those chilled deerhounds:)

I second what Biscuit said..i love the racing for what it is..great fun for the dogs and owners alike. I often read about coursing/racing on another forum and the bitchiness and the carry on is unreal..i cant imagine the coursing at Fire Hill ever being like that. Competition does funny things to people.

Wow looks like a stunning day weather wise and a good day had by all, congratulations to all who won their races. Wish I lived nearer. great pictures.

Kevin and I would just like to say that we will not allow any bitching as we started the coursing for the dogs to have fun and to share what we have because we know that we are very lucky to just be able to walk out of our door and our dogs have free running with no hassle it is so nice for us to watch other dogs running we hope that the deerhounds will be offical one day but nothing will change for all the other breeds of dogs that come first and fore most it is for fun and it will be staying that way.

If any one has any ideas to make the coursing better please let us know

suerose wrote:


I think that's why it works so well - even the dogs seem to pick up on the laid back vibes and everyone enjoys themselves. I think its lovely that you allow others to share what you have..and not just Deerhounds..honestly, old Jack has had a new spring in his step since being allowed to come to the coursing.

My husband is involved in a gundog group..field trials etc..i dont go along anymore to the family/bbq - any days..as it is sooo bitchy and back stabbing..just not my cup of tea. We were commenting on the way home yesterday that there is none of that feeling at the coursing, everyone is welcoming and friendly. From a personal point of view i really appreciate the comments made about Jake and the fact that everyone makes a fuss of old Jack..really makes my day.

Hi Cassandra
As Sid has said, Sue runs her events for fun and as such no points or anything like that.
If you want to know about Lure Coursing in the UK check out The British Sighthound Field Association (BSFA) website at www.lurecoursing.org.uk. There we have points which lead to Lure Courser of Merit (which have just been awarded to Deerhounds for the first time in the BSFA's history).

You could also look at the Sussex Longdogs site at www.sussexlongdogs.org.uk.

Regards

Spring

It looks great fun,we'll definitely have to get to a meeting one day!

Murph the Magnificent wrote:


can't wait to see you ..how old is murphy?

it is simply one the best days out there is..


Fiona

Another fantastic day with Team Rose, this 100% non competitive day is the best way to enjoy your hounds and good company. The Rose family have supplied toilets, refreshments and now a new road :)Is there no end to their generosity?

Don't change a thing......well there is one thing you could do.....can I have Rannoch;)

I loved watching my pups run, even although they are 18months, they are still pups to me. It didn't matter that Willow ran right back to the car, her sister got the hang of it after her second run and I'm sure this will not be her last visit:) Bryn loves his day out and now that we can drive right up to the course my mum and Bella will be back at the next one.

It's lovely to see the big hounds chilling outB)