About SHOT

Long ago, our sighthounds were prized by our ancestors for their speed, agility, stamina, and intelligence when following the object of their chase. As these were important qualities, our hounds have been selectively bred for centuries to enhance these natural abilities. After all, our ancestors had to put food on the table as well as rid themselves of unwanted predators and pests. Today, our hounds, although still hunters, don’t often have the opportunity to be used for the purpose for which they were bred as chasing live game is no longer necessary for our daily survival.

In 1972, the sport of Lure Coursing was born to provide our hounds (as well as ourselves) with the excitement of the hunt. Instead of using live game, we have replaced it with white plastic bags tied to a very long string and dragged through an open field around pulleys.

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Believe it or not, most hounds love the plastic bag and chase it just for the sport of chasing something moving faster than them! We add a few turns here and there to keep it interesting. Many of them howl and cry with the anticipation of running after the white plastic bags we call bunnies. This is one facet of dog sports our canine buddies enjoy as much as we do.

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Since 1983, S.H.O.T. has been an organization made up of individuals who promote and are devoted to the sport of lure coursing in the Tidewater area. Our membership is dedicated to the advancement and betterment of sighthounds. We are sanctioned by both American Sighthound Field Association (ASFA) and the American Kennel Club (AKC) to host lure coursing field trials.

 

Recognized sighthound breeds eligible to participate in lure coursing under American Kennel Club (AKC) rules include Afghan Hounds, Basenjis, Borzois, Greyhounds, Ibizan Hounds, Irish Wolfhounds, Italian Greyhounds, Pharaoh Hounds, Portuguese Podengo Pequeno, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Salukis, Scottish Deerhounds, Sloughis, Whippets, and Azawakhs. AKC has also approved sighthounds from the Miscellaneous Group, including the Norrbottenspets, Portuguese Podengo (Médio and Grande), and the Peruvian Inca Orchid, as well as the Thai Ridgeback from the Foundation Stock Service.

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American Sighthound Field Association (ASFA) recognizes Afghan Hounds, Basenjis, Borzois, Greyhounds, Ibizan Hounds, Irish Wolfhounds, Italian Greyhounds, Pharaoh Hounds, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Salukis, Scottish Deerhounds, Sloughis, Whippets, and Azawakhs. ASFA additionally recognizes several other sighthound breeds, including Silken Windhounds, Cirneco dell’Etna, Galgo Español (Spanish Greyhound), Magyar Agar, Polish Greyhound (Chart Polski), Portuguese Podengo (Grande and Médio, smooth-coated), and the Peruvian Inca Orchid.

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Please see SHOT’s Event page for trial dates. Premiums and entry information will be provided as they become available.

We offer practice runs and puppy bumps at the conclusion of Saturday trials, weather, daylight, and equipment permitting. For non-members interested in practice only, a fee of $5 per dog, per run is charged to help offset fuel costs and normal wear and tear on lure equipment.

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Opportunities to experiment with course laying or to run the lure may also be available, depending on time and conditions. If you are interested, please contact the Field Chairman listed on the premium for that specific event prior to the trial.