Kelley,
It was nice meeting you and seeing your dogs this weekend. I was prompted to check out your website, and found myself with a couple of questions...
What is lure coursing? I'm thinking that is what the dogs are doing when they are wearing silks, but how far are they coursing, and what is the lure?
Your dogs are gorgeous. I have seen ridgebacks before, but they looked like labradors - shortish legged, wide barreled, and thick. Nothing like the streamlined and leggy dogs you and your friends had out this weekend. I was impressed with your dogs look hands down.
The other question I have will be asked in pm so you aren't put on the spot in public.
Cheers!
M
Trust me Sean, I hung my head in shame every time I muttered that they were show dogs
Lure coursing is a racing sport for dogs. You have a pulley system, a motor & a whole lot of line with three plastic bags attached to it. It's supposed to be a sighthound sport that proves a dog still has the instinct to chase. Titus (red dog) loves to do it where Lucius (blonde) has no interest. We took Hilde out & did it with her one time too. If it moves she wants to stop it from moving & had a blast at it. For Ridgebacks it's kind of a joke but it does show you the speed they can haul out at in a controlled environment. Like Sean said, it is all just a game. It doesn't prove a dog has instinct to do anything except chase a plastic bag.
Thanks for the compliments on the boys! They're pretty - now I'm hoping we can get a little more than just pretty out of them. Mr. Mason & Krystal have been really great & super patient with both them and me since I have no clue what I'm doing. I'm really getting addicted to watching the dogs mentally develop when we've had them out for training.
I really enjoyed talking with you all there.
I'll go check my PM now.
Kelley
