I agree with what Mark has said -- but there is a HUGE difference between racing and coursing. Safe coursing is a sport enjoyed by the dogs (though we owners have fun watching and protecting them from harm!) which should model their hunting abilities. Racing is a human industry that destroys sighthounds as much as fanciers who have bred the hunter out of these 12,000+ year old domesticated hunting and companion dogs and bred up the show ring qualities. For example, I love Afghans, but the breed has suffered an un-historic change in their body types to the extent that most of the thousands of them bred in this country alone aren't fit to run down a Chihuahua (not that I would ever do that! ;>). This is why I support us looking into insurance, and using the guidelines and rules set forth by established coursing organizations such as ASFA, NOFCA, and AKC, etal.... Fencing is a good idea too, for those of us who need it, but IMO should be a local decision to have. Of course, keeping the dogs safe should be the first and only rule before anything else. The organizations I speak of are dedicated to safe coursing -- though it is a sport, and dogs can get hurt -- so having first aid on hand should be an automatic thing. Also, dogs should *never* be allowed to course if they don't pass an inspection by an experienced person. I just want to make sure we don't confuse racing, though. There is nothing more destructive to the perpetuation of these dogs as they have been bred for thousands of years than misinformation about their care and what *should* be done with them. More sighthounds die due to ignorant owners than to disease -- and that shouldn't be considering how much information there is out there on these dogs! If you like them in your bed, that's all you -- but please don't deprive them of their natural hunting skills because you are afraid that responsible coursing is the same as racing! (Not that you did, Mark!) My 2 cents etal... Jonneth
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