AKC FAST CAT ® by LEW OLSON
F ast CAT ® is one of the new- est titling events in AKC, and consists of a fenced area of 100 yards long and approxi- mately 20-30 feet wide. The dogs chase a lure from the starting line, and are timed to the end of the 100 yard straight course. If your dog likes to chase things, this could be the sport for you and your dog! The times are converted into miles per hour, and when a certain point level is achieved after a few runs, the title of BCAT is awarded. And the pay off for Toy breeds is that there are time com- pensations given for height! And each dog runs one at a time. I found out that Dallas Air Dogs, in Midlothian, Texas (near Dallas) was going to be running six trials in three days, on December 31, January 1 and January 2. I called Jill Davis (who loves performance events) and she was excit- ed as I was! She brought two of her Brus- sels Griffons, “Miles” and “Brooks”; and I brought a Brussels Griffon, “Andy”, and my Toy Manchester, “Hutch”. I had a CA (Lure Coursing Ability title) on Hutch, and Jill has Drag Racing titles on her two Griffons (UKC titles, used to be known as Terrier racing). We got up early to check out the course and situation. The course had chain link fencing all around it, and enough length to accommodate the 100 yard run (or about 140 yards leav- ing good room at the end and start for the handler and dog). They had a timer on a tower, as well as a lure course set up that went from the start to the end,
and back again, to bring the dog back. The lure was a piece of white plastic. The course was flat and on grass. So many people were so excited about this new event that the club was able to fill all six events! Most people who brought dogs were new to this, but it was wonderful to see the dogs so excited and so willing to run. There were many different breeds running all weekend from Great Danes, to German Shorthair Pointers, Whippets, a Plott Hound, Doberman Pinchers, all types of Spaniels, Corgis to Chihuahuas, Bos- ton Terriers, Chinese Crested, York- shire Terriers and much more! Almost all qualified in their runs! A few were reluctant to leave their owner, but the owner was allowed to go to the end of the course and call their dogs. I never saw so many people excited at a per- formance event before, and it was truly spectacular to watch all these breeds run so fast with such excitement to run to try and catch the lure! I truly recom- mend this sport to any dog owner, and that includes all Toy breeds! Each dog was as excited for the next event each day, and there was much barking and whining in excitement as they waited for their turn. Everyone was clapping and congratulating each dog as they finished the course! Some dogs were so enthusiastic to run, they needed to be held on very tightly until the timer started the start of their run. The nice thing about showing a Toy breed is that we get a handicap due to their height. The rules state:
• 18" or greater = handicap is 1.0 • 12" up to less than 18" = handicap is 1.5 • Below 12" = handicap is 2.0 Three of our four dogs achieved their AKC Fast CAT ® title that weekend, called BCAT. You can continue to com- pete after this, to gain more titles. The more times your dog qualifies on runs, your dog can achieve more titles. There are also other lure coursing events, and each of them offers AKC titles. I can’t recommend this sport highly enough, and dog with a bit of drive and the ability to chase will love it! For more information, visit http:// www.akc.org/events/fast-cat/. To find an event in your area, check here: https://www.apps.akc.org/apps/event_ calendar/.
“Hutch” in mid air.
“Andy” takes off after the lure.
58 • T op N otch T oys , M arch 2017
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