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I have been a lure operator for about 15 years. I have heard people describe courses for a particular breed – “that’s a basenji course, that is a greyhound course, or that is a whippet course”. What may these people be talking about? They are referring to the recovery distance between the turns. The bigger or faster the hounds the greater distance you need between corners. The great lure operator knows how to work with either type of course plan for either speed of hound. However, for this article I will present some opinions for running the lure for the whippet (legal disclosure----these are just my opinions, put the dart guns down).
The whippet is known for its ability to burst up to 35 mph on a straight away. Some of us have been fortunate to see that whippet maintain that speed through a turn – that is very rare. Whippets are able to run fast and maintain an agile frame. Giving the whippet a 30 yard lead may not be necessary, but I would keep it close to that for the very fast whippets. Giving a good lead at the tally ho is a good idea to allow for the hounds to get their feet underneath them and prepare for the terrain. However, that does not mean the bunny should have turned the first corner before they are released. A good course plan allows for long run outs and run in’s. If the lure reaches the corner before the hounds are released you are not setting the hounds up for the
The whippet is known for its ability to burst up to 35 mph on a straight away. Some of us have been fortunate to see that whippet maintain that speed through a turn – that is very rare. Whippets are able to run fast and maintain an agile frame. Giving the whippet a 30 yard lead may not be necessary, but I would keep it close to that for the very fast whippets. Giving a good lead at the tally ho is a good idea to allow for the hounds to get their feet underneath them and prepare for the terrain. However, that does not mean the bunny should have turned the first corner before they are released. A good course plan allows for long run outs and run in’s. If the lure reaches the corner before the hounds are released you are not setting the hounds up for the
second turn and it becomes a challenge for the good lure operator. If you find that you need to wait that long before releasing the hound, then that corner is not needed (remember that for the next time you use that course plan and alter it before you publish it).
A great lure operator knows he is doing a good job based upon the hounds reach. If the dogs heads are angled down low and the hound appears to be pouncing, then the lure is too close. This can lead to the hound not seeing a change in the terrain or a turn until it is too late- he will tumble head over heels or attempt the turn and do a barrel roll or just yank out his shoulder. If the hound is running with its head up, he is either a puppy or inexperienced hound or the lure operator has taken the lure so far away that the hound does not know where it is. While we are
A great lure operator knows he is doing a good job based upon the hounds reach. If the dogs heads are angled down low and the hound appears to be pouncing, then the lure is too close. This can lead to the hound not seeing a change in the terrain or a turn until it is too late-
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As hounds cheat across the field more and more you lead hounds into a potential “t-bone” collision. Rewarding the cheating hound while in some cases looks safe, a great lure operator knows how to keep the lure in front of the true leading hound and only takes it away from him when leaving it truly presents a hazard. A great lure operator who has designed the course plan, laid out and walked the course knows how to make “recovery” choices – pull away from the leading hound and giving it back to him in another part of the course.
