麻豆社区

The Alaskan Husky is no longer the only dog putting the territory on the map.

A new society has been formed to bring the sport of lure coursing to the Yukon.

Lure coursing consists of dogs chasing an artificial lure across a field, following a pattern meant to mimic a live pursuit.

Courses are typically more than 500 metres long.

The Yukon Sighthound Lure Coursing Association will aim to promote the sport and hold lure-coursing trials for all breeds of dogs, and specifically the Afghan Hound.

"Dogs love this sport and it is a chance for dogs and their owners to get outdoors and for the dogs to run and have fun,鈥� Jackie McBride-Dickson told the Star.

"It is really good for dogs and their health.鈥�

Last month, four local Afghan Hounds competed at the 77th annual Afghan Hound Club of America National Specialty Show in Portland, Oregon.

The U.S. national event is a little like the Oscars of events for Afghan Hounds, McBride-Dickson explained. People are dressed in bling, artisans are displaying their wares in colourful decorated booths 鈥� jewelry, quilts, shirts, silk ties, paintings 鈥� all portraying the Afghan as the 鈥榢ing of dogs.'

Local dogs that attended were Daghan Little Miss Sunshine 鈥極live' owned by McBride-Dickson and her husband Scott Dickson, as well as Olive's littermate 鈥楾ajah,' owned by Heather Balfour.

Clif and Sheila Robertson's Croatian import Celestian Avalon 鈥楩rankie' and his daughter Daghan Hurricane 鈥楬attie' also attended the prestigious event.

The dogs and their trainers flew to Vancouver in late September and then drove to Portland for the five days of the show.

The Yukon dogs did very well for themselves at the national event.

鈥極live' placed second in stake one of the lure coursing stake one trial, while 鈥楩rankie' placed third. 鈥楬attie' placed third in stake two.

All in all, the Yukon dogs were fit and fast, said McBride-Dickson.

鈥楾ajah' went on to qualify in the rally and obedience divisions, eventually placing third in the triathlon 鈥� an accumulation of event scores. 鈥楩rankie' placed fourth.

"Not bad to have two Yukon hounds in the top four of the triathlon, and two in top three placings in the lure coursing,鈥� McBride-Dickson said.

Those interested in more information on the new group are invited to call McBride-Dickson at 667-6376.