2013, Day 207 - Gums flying

The fun thing I found about lure coursing is that the dogs don't wear muzzles.  They don't run tightly packed so I suppose it isn't considered necessary.  Normally a muzzle wouldn't allow the dog's face to fly like this but I love it.  She isn't upset, her face is relaxed and the motion of her running combined with raw speed is pushing back her flew (lips).  Think of Jeremy Clarkson driving a track-day vehicle or elite runners.  She did great, it was a really nice run and I got some fun pictures in the process.

Canon 1D X, Canon 300/f2.8L IS
300mm, f4, 1/5000 sec @ 250 ISO

2013, Day 206 - Freight train

This is Frankie's brother Sand lure coursing.  Although they're both handsome Sand is a really solid boy, he is about the same height but literally twice Frankie's width.  He is a freight train; Sand builds momentum quickly and there is absolutely no stopping him.  This boy LOVES to run and even though he has more weight to move than most dogs his size he has so much heart, so much drive, that they can't keep up.  Here he's barking at the lure to let it know who's boss!

Canon 1D X, Canon 300/f2.8L IS
300mm, f4, 1/5000 sec @ 250 ISO

2013, Day 194 - Muppet racing

Today Frankie got his first ribbon!  We went lure coursing which is much more suited to his style of running, beautiful but slow.  It is a very subjective thing but it isn't all about speed which means he was able secure the ranking of next best qualified; it means he came in fifth in a very competitive field including some of the best racers in the country.

It was an all breed event so we had some whippets, an Italian greyhound, a couple of Rhodesian ridgebacks, and an afghan hound.  His name is Lil Mo and he is a bit of a chicken.  At check in Mo had to let someone other than Mom touch him which he found rather traumatic but he chased really well.  Given the heat Mo has been partially shaved and looked much like a giant Fraggle running around the track.  I wish there were more muppets to race because I like taking their pictures.

Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon 70-200/f2.8L IS Mark II
200mm, f4, 1/8000 sec @ 320 ISO

2011, Day 177 - Fluttering

For the first time ever I went to watch some lure coursing.  It is different than other types of racing because the distance is longer and the course is irregular so some of the too-smart dogs slow down to try to anticipate the next change of direction so they sometimes aren't the best chasers but they often get a lot closer to the lure.  Anywho, it was a lot of fun!

Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon 70-200/f2.8L IS Mark II
200mm, f5.6, 1/1600 sec @ 200 ISO

Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon 70-200/f2.8L IS Mark II
200mm, f5.6, 1/1600 sec @ 200 ISO