Levels of Competition
Dogs are coursed by breed in braces (two) or trios (three), based on the number of dogs available for the run. Dogs can run alone if there are no other dogs of the same breed entered, however their scores will not qualify towards a title unless they defeat a hound in the Best of Breed run. Running order is determined by a random draw, and is not based on size or comparable ability. Dogs can compete in open stake, field champion stake (for dogs who have earned the requisite points) or veteran stake (dogs over the age of six years except Irish Wolfhounds (5 years) and Whippets (7 years)). Each dog runs twice during the trial. The first run is the "preliminary". After all preliminaries have been run, the course is reversed for the second run, called "finals". Once all preliminaries and finals have been run, Best of Breed is determined for each breed by stakes run-off or by forfeit. All placements must be determined by total score (preliminary + final), run-off or forfeit. After the Best of Breed runs, the top dogs from each breed may compete for Best in Field to determine the best hound for the trial. Some clubs opt to provide a Best in Event which brings Best of Breed dogs from multiple days to run off. In AKC trials, Italian Greyhounds are not permitted to compete for Best In Field. This is because Italian Greyhounds might be mistaken as prey by the larger sighthound breeds.
Read more about this topic: Lure Coursing
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