 Small dogs can do that (Nandi's first title)
Last weekend, Nandi earned his first title. He completed three successful lure coursing runs with the AKC which means a CA title. In lure coursing, dogs chase a mechanically operated lure (usually a plastic bag). Traditionally, it is meant for sight hounds but the AKC now has a pass/fail competition for all breeds.
He loves it! We've tried several different sports and so far this is his favorite. He usually is the smallest dog at the competitions. At the first race we went to, he was the smallest and fastest small dog (under 12 inches) there.
We were waiting for his turn and the woman in front of us was getting ready to run her Boxer. She looks at Nandi and says, "OMG, you're running that?" There were many things I could have said but I just said yes, he is running. At which point, she starts talking about how she thinks it is cruel to make small dogs run that far.
After he ran, on our way back she stops me to ask how he did. I was tempted to say something snarky but I told her he ran well.
Nandi and the Boxer ran the same distance because small dogs and brachycephalic breeds both run 300 yards (big dogs run 600). The Boxer was eight seconds faster. Nandi is six pounds.
He ran twice that day and he wanted to go back and run again. He was trembling with excitement and kept trying to go back to the track. People commented on how enthusiastically he runs and how well he follows the lure. So proud!
*Photos were taken by a spectator. |