🐾🏆✨ Welsh Corgis are small dogs with big energy. Bred as working herding dogs, their natural instinct is to move, herd, and chase. Full of agility, curiosity, and determination, corgis thrive when given a purpose — whether it’s running across a field, playing a game, or following a lure in sport. And this makes Lure Coursing perfect! ✨🐾 🙂
Lure coursing is an exciting dog sport that brings out a dog’s natural instinct to chase. Originally developed in the USA in the 1970s, the sport was designed to assess and preserve the coursing skills of Sighthounds in a safe way, using an artificial lure instead of live game. In Australia, lure coursing has been formally recognised by Dogs Australia (formerly the ANKC) since 2015, though Sighthound fanciers have been participating in the sport for many decades.
The sport involves dogs chasing an artificial lure — usually a plastic bag attached to a string — across a field. The lure is pulled by a specially designed motor around a course with pulleys that create sharp corners, simulating the unpredictable movements of a fleeing prey animal. Dogs are expected to see the lure “running” away and give chase, demonstrating speed, agility, and focus. Each event is overseen by a lure operator, who controls the machine driving the lure, and a hunt master, who directs the proceedings with commands such as “tally-ho” (to release the dog) and “retrieve your dog” at the end of the course.
Lure coursing is ideal for breeds that are energetic, independent, and have strong hunting instincts — including corgis. Participation requires dogs to be fit, sound, and agile, as the course length ranges from 600 to 1,000 metres, and each dog is expected to complete it twice on the trial day to qualify. No special equipment is needed beyond leads and collars — two per participant. Dogs must be registered members of Dogs NSW, with purebreds on the Main Register and mixed breeds on the Associate Register. For dogs that enjoy a safe, controlled chase, lure coursing provides a fantastic outlet for their natural instincts, offering both physical exercise and mental stimulation.
While the sport was originally developed for Sighthounds — such as Salukis, Greyhounds, and Afghans — it is now open to all breeds. Competitions are split into two streams: one for Sighthounds and another called the Coursing Ability Test (CAT) for all other registered breeds and associate register dogs.
Titles awarded:
| Title | Abbreviation |
|---|---|
| Junior Courser | JC |
| Senior Courser | SC |
| Lure Courser of Merit | LDM |
| Lure Courser Excellent | LCX |
| Coursing Ability | CA |
| Coursing Ability Advanced | CAA |
| Coursing Ability Excellent | CAX |
| Single Lure Courser of Merit | sLCM |
| Single Lure Courser Excellent | sLCX |
| Singles Field Champion | sFC |
| Veterans Field Champion | vFC |
Whether you’re a seasoned competitor or trying it for the first time, lure coursing is a fun, safe, and engaging way to channel your dog’s energy and love of the chase.
For full rules and regulations, please see the Dogs NSW website.
*Important update: In September 2025, the New South Wales Lure Coursing Association Inc (NSWLCA) announced that from 2026, it will no longer run Coursing Ability Tests and will focus solely on Sighthound Trials, alongside Sighthound Development Days. With a number of affiliates now conducting sanctioned events — and others preparing to do so — they felt this is an ideal moment for the club to refine its focus. NSWLCA will continue to support Huntmasters, Lure Operators, and Aspirant Judges, maintaining its proud tradition of nurturing and developing sports officials.
Members enjoy discounted specialty show entry fees, as well as many other benefits.
