Activities
Racing
Amateur racing is the number one activity here at Stout-Hearted Hounds. It was the first sport we seriously got into when we got our Greyhound, Cali, and it has been our favorite sport ever since.
There are two types of racing, straight track racing and oval track racing. Straight racing meets are sanctioned by the Large Gazehound Racing Association (LGRA) and oval meets are sanctioned by the National Oval Track Racing Association (NOTRA). In both cases the main objective, of course, is speed. Race meets consist of three programs, with as many as 20 or more heats per program. Up to four dogs can run in each heat and are released from starting boxes. Straight tracks are 200 yards long and oval tracks range from 270-440 yards in length. Dogs may earn a straight racing championship (GRC) and an oval racing championship (ORC) once they have accumulated 12 championship points.
Terrier Racing
Terrier Racing is similar to sighthound racing, but on a much smaller scale. There are two types of terrier racing, flat racing and steeple chase. Flat racing is run on a regular flat course, while steeple has a number of hurdles along the length of the track that the dogs have to jump over. Dogs are raced based on height rather than breed. They are released from starting boxes and run in heats of up to six at a time. The tracks can be up to 200 feet in length and have a finish line that requires the dogs to pass through a small hole in order to complete the race. Terrier Races are sanctioned by the United Kennel Club (UKC). There are four main titles that a dog may earn; the United Flat Racer (UFR) and United Steeplechase Racer (USR) may be obtained after the dog has earned 100 points in competition. The United Flat Racing Ch (UFRCH) and the United Steeplechase Ch (USRCH) may be obtained after a dog has earned the above titles as well as 250 more points and 3 fastest racer in meet awards.
Open Field Coursing
Open field coursing is the coursing/hunting of live game (usually jackrabbits) out in wild territory. Open field coursing is the truest test of dog's ability to fulfill its original function, but it is not for the faint of heart. Hunts are conducted in a similar fashion to lure coursing trials. Dogs run in heats of up to three or four, and are judged on their speed, agility, endurance etc. In order to flush out the game, dogs and owners must hike over miles and miles of rough and rugged terrain; sometimes spending several hours out in the field. Sometimes the jackrabbits are caught, but for the most part they live to run another day. Coursing championships are awarded to dogs that have met the requirements set forth by the sanctioning body. There are several organizations that sanction open field hunts, but the one we participate with is the National Open Field Coursing Association (NOFCA).
Lure Coursing
Lure coursing is a sport for sighthounds that is designed to simulate the hunting of game. Trials are sanctioned by the American Sighthound Field Association (ASFA) and by the American Kennel Club. Lure courses are constructed using a system of pulleys, a motor and a plastic bag as the lure. Courses range in distance from 500 to 1000 yards, and consist of long straight aways as well as a series of turns. Dogs run in trios (or fewer depending on the number of entries) and are judged on a number of categories including speed, agility, endurance and follow. Field Championships are available to dogs that meet certain requirements.
Weight Pulling
Weight pulling is the canine-equivalent of weight lifting competitions for people. During weight pulling competitions a single dog, equipped with a specially designed weight pulling harness, must pull a loaded cart a specified distance within a specified amount of time. After each pull, the cart is loaded with more and more weight to determine which dog can pull the heaviest load. Weight pulling competitions are sanctioned by a number of organizations including The United Kennel Club, International Weight Pulling Association, and the National Kennel Club.
Field Trialing
Dachshund field trialing is an activity that aims to test a dachshund's skill as a scent tracker. Participants walk in a gallery to raise the game (rabbits or hare), then once a rabbit has been found two dogs (called a brace) are released onto the scent line to see how accurately they can track the rabbit's trail. Stakes are divided by sex (i.e. open dogs, open bitches, field champions etc) and each dog is judged according to how well it works the trail. Because the purpose of field trialing is to test tracking skills, no game is taken during the course of a trial. Dachshund field trials are offered and sanctioned by the American Kennel Club (AKC), which awards Field Championship titles to dogs that earn the required number of placements and points. In addition to AKC sanctioned field trials, the North American Teckel Club (NATC) offers hunt tests for dachshunds to test their skills as hunters of both large and small game.
Conformation Showing
Conformation shows, commonly known as dog shows, are events in which dogs are judged and awarded for their physical conformation to a written standard. In theory, dog shows are meant to be a way of evaluating which dogs are suitable for breeding, but at Stout-Hearted Hounds we believe that form should follow function. We participate in dog shows whenever we can, but the performance sports are our main priority. Nevertheless, dog shows are a great way to socialize for both you and your dog and allow for a lot of bonding time between dog and owner. We show our dogs in UKC, IABCA and Rarities events.