Lure Coursing Your Peruvian Inca Orchid Dog

As of January 1, 2000 Peruvian Inca Orchids have been eligible to compete in the American Sighthound Field Association (ASFA) Miscellaneous Stake. The PIO is a lean muscular hound built for agility and is therefore well suited for lure coursing. Though not as fast as a whippet, the PIO is a fairly speedy breed. Since the Inca's did not have a written language, there is little to no history of what the PIO originally hunted. They do hunt by sight and are fascinated by birds. My PIO's will chase birds for hours in the field. Killdeers are their favorite bird to chase, although sparrows are the easiest for them to catch. Mine will also hunt rodents and rabbits. Like most sighthounds, they can enjoy chasing white plastic as much as live game. I have found that playing with plastic bags will help them chase the lure. A PIO does not enjoy chasing the lure alone; they prefer to run with competition. They will only chase the lure by themselves for so long before they lose interest. I learned this lesson the hard way, as have others who have used their PIO's as test dogs.

Getting Your Puppy Started

The best way to interest your puppy in the lure is to play games with plastic bags. Always make it fun and quit before the puppy is bored. You want to leave the puppy wanting more. If at all possible, take your puppy to field trials. That way the pup will get used to the sights and sounds of a trial. Lure trials are usually run over a weekend and at the Saturday event, there is usually a practice session, be sure to sign up. If the puppy is young and unsure, just have the lure taken out a little ways (maybe to the first pulley) and don't be afraid to run with your puppy. Make it a fun game for both of you. As the puppy grows older and gains confidence, then you can sit back and watch the running. When the pup is eleven months old, he is ready for his pre-certification. You need to find someone with an older dog with a similar running style that you can run your puppy with. Peruvian Inca Orchids are out there running and if your in luck you might find one that you can run with your puppy for pre-certification. If you have been doing the practices and playing with the bag, your PIO will be interested in the lure and not the other PIO! If your PIO wants to play with the other PIO, it is time for more practice, though if all goes well, you will have a pre-certed PIO. Then you just have to find some trials with competition. If you would like to know more about, please feel free to lure coursing with your Peruvian Inca Orchid dog, contact Sarah Martens of Illinois at (217) 893-0417.

Find out more about lure coursing in general, the American Sighthound Field Association (ASFA) in particular, or find a lure coursing trial in your area at the official ASFA website. WWW.ASFA.ORG

©2001 Peruvian Inca Orchid Dog Club of America