Racing

Racing is perhaps the most exciting of all the terrier trial events. There are two types of races: flat and hurdles (also known as

Steeplechase). The track is

a straight course with a starting box at one end and a stack of straw or hay bales with a hole in the middle

(the finish line) at the other. A lure (usually a

piece of fur) is attached to a piece of string that is pulled along by a Lure machine. The

terriers are muzzled for safety (theirs and the catchers). The first

dog to cross the finish line (behind the bales at the entry to the catch

pen) is the winner. That is not always the dog that was first as they entered the hole in

the hay bales! Each race may be a series of

heats, semis, and finals. A championship race is run in each division and is a competition between the

winners of the flat and hurdle

races. To qualify for the championships those dogs MUST have run in BOTH their flat and hurdle races.

How it Works:

The racing division consists of two events: Flat races and Steeple chase races (also called hurdles).

Time permitting novice dogs will

be allowed a practice run prior to racing starting. It is not recommended that your dog run in more than 2 practice runs as they will

tire and risk overheating.

Within each event there are classes so that the

terriers

compete by age, gender and height. Dachshunds are run separately from the

terriers. Each 'heat' (race) consists of up to 6 terriers or dachshunds. Each dog will be assigned a colored racing collar with each

dog in a given heat wears a different color. The racing judge will record the results of each heat by the color the terrier is wearing.

Heats are established prior to the trial, making it necessary to pre-enter the racing event. Post entries are not accepted for racing.

When your heat is announced, take your

immediately to the 'on deck' area next to the starting gate. There you will be given your

colored collar and you will draw a number (1 through 6) to determine which gate to load your dog in.

Terriers must be

muzzled

before entering the loading area. The race will not be delayed for a dog to be muzzled. No figure 8 muzzles are allowed; plastic

basket muzzles are strongly suggested.

When all of the dogs are loaded into the starting box, the racing steward will signal the "motor man" that all are ready. The lure will

start and the front of the gate will come up, releasing the dogs. The dogs will chase the lure down a fenced track. At the end of the

track are bales of straw with an opening big enough for one dog to pass through at a time. Behind the bales is a large 'catch pen' with

6 people ready to catch the dogs in the order in which they come through the opening. It is not the fastest dog to the bales that will

necessarily win--it is the first dog through the opening and into the catch pen that wins the race.

As soon as you have placed your dog in the starting gate, proceed to the catch pen area to retrieve your dog when the race is

finished. Depending on the number of entries in your class, 1st, 2nd & possibly the 3rd place finishers may advance to a semi-final or

final racing heat.

The dogs that place 1st in the final heat of their class will advance to a Championship race. Championship races are divided by height

and may consist of up to 4 dogs, 2 females and 2 males. All of which have placed 1st in their particular racing class for flats and

steeplechase (i.e. the 1st place winners from the short dog and short bitches classes for both flats and steeplechases will advance to

the 10" up to 12-1/2" Championship race). The Championship races for the puppies, dachshunds and super seniors are usually run

first because they run over the shorter hurdles, not to exceed 8” in height. For the adult dogs the hurdles will be a minimum of 8” and

maximum of 15” in height. The Championship races for all other terriers are run after all of the Steeplechase races are complete and

they are run over hurdles. At the discretion of the judge, a heat may be re-run if one dog interferes with another. A dog jumping

another dog may be disqualified. A race will always be re-run if a dog catches the lure.

Racing Rules

ALL TERRIERS MUST BE MUZZLED! Plastic basket muzzles or close-ended cloth muzzles only. No figure eight or open
ended muzzles will be allowed.
Any terrier entering the catch area during a race without a secured muzzle will be disqualified. No refunds will be given.
Exhibitors must have entries ready to race, be aware of their classes, and be ready when called. In the event a heat is missed,
permission to run in a later heat is granted at the discretion of the Racing Judge or Steward. There are no refunds for missed
classes.
Once entries are loaded into the starting gate, all handlers shall proceed to the finish line and be ready to receive their dogs.
In a hurdle race, any entry going around the jumps will be disqualified.
If a lure is caught or in some way the movement or lack of movement of the lure delays or alters the forward motion of any dog
(i.e. almost caught or flies outside the track), race will be rerun.
Entries must cross the finish line completely to place in a race. The finish line is the backside of the barrier. First to the hole is
not necessarily first through the hole.
The Racing Judge during the trial shall disqualify any dog engaged in fighting from any further racing. No refund given.
Racing Champions are determined by a run-off of the first place dog in each class in each division. To be eligible to run in the
Championship race, the dog MUST have entered and in both flat and steeplechase classes. A dog that has not entered in both
classes or has not run in both classes is not eligible to run in the Championship race. In this case, the second place dog
becomes eligible to run in the Championship race, assuming it was entered and ran in both classes.

How to Train Your Terrier to Race

You can start race training of your terrier in your own back yard. The idea is to get them used to chasing a lure so that when they are

in a real race, they will

know what to do. You can use the following items to perform the training:

String and Lure - Tie a piece of fur (a sock will work also) to a 20 foot piece of string
Racing Muzzle - to get your dog used to wearing one
Tease the dog with the fur (to get its attention)
Run away from your dog with the lure trailing behind you
Let your dog catch the fur so that it will be a satisfying experience for it. Repeat these steps several times.
Hurdles - Build simple hurdles from inexpensive PVC piping. Drag the lure over the hurdle to get your dog to jump. It works!
The best practice for racing is to actually run your dog in a real race (i.e., with other terriers, muzzles, spectators, etc). Attend a
fun day for good practice.
Start your dog racing at a young age (4 months). Don't let them race over large hurdles since their joints are still growing!
Don't let your terrier overheat.

Racing Tips

Use a "softie" muzzle or a basket muzzle; mickey and figure-eight muzzles are illegal as the terriers are unable to breathe
properly
Practice makes perfect - rarely does a first time racing dog do well. Normally they either sit in the starting box, play with their
muzzle, or run the wrong direction. Don't quit after the first failure. Terriers and dachshunds are smart and catch on quickly.
Remember that you are there to have fun - not to argue. Let's make sure racing doesn't get a bad name. It's an exciting event
and tempers can flare. Remember to thank the catchers and the racing staff. They've got a tough job.
Allow your dog to watch some of the races to get excited. Remember to keep your dog at least 6 ft from the track during
racing so as to not distract the dogd that are racing. After awhile, you probably won't have to do this since your dog will know
when it's race time.
If your dog starts a fight, work to stop this behavior immediately. Fighting dogs are dismissed since they can disrupt the
outcome of the race and are a danger to the other dogs and the catchers.
If you think your dog is close to moving up to the next height division (i.e., over 12 1/2 inches), have it measured at the entry
desk prior to racing starting It'll save you a lot of hassles at trials.
Cool down your dog after each race (some owners will "dunk" their dogs in a large barrel of water after each race). You can
use a mist spray bottle and offer your dog plenty of water.
Be sure to remove the dog's leash and regular collar before you put it in the starting box.
Have a friend or family member help you when you race your dog (i.e., help with muzzle, pick up dog after the race).

Racing