Precision Coursing is a fast paced canine sport where dogs chase an artificial lure around a safely enclosed course. The lure makes quick turns and changes direction as the dog races after it, testing speed, agility and the ability to follow the course. Unlike traditional lure coursing, which is closely associated with sighthounds, UKC Precision Coursing was created as an all-breed sport. Dogs of all shapes and sizes can participate and earn titles by completing the course within the required time.
It's fast, exciting and incredibly fun to watch.
Can Tornjaks Precision Course?
Well... Dagon certainly thinks so!
We stumbled into Precision Coursing because Dagon loves playing with a flirt pole in our backyard. It's his favorite toy and the only one he will “ask” to play with. Usually he makes his request known by leading us to the flirt pole or sitting beside it and making sad little grumble noises until we get the hint.
I always say Tornjaks are great communicators and Dagon has certainly made his feelings known about the flirt pole. So when I discovered Precision Coursing, it seemed worth a try. And, well... he loved it.
The second he sees the course, he gets incredibly excited. Once the lure starts moving, he is completely focused on it, racing around the course and trying to keep up with every turn. For such a large dog, he is shockingly fast and agile.
Earning titles
Titles are earned by successfully completing the required number of qualifying runs at each level - Novice, Advanced, Superior, Master, Elite. With each level advancement, the courses become more challenging and the time allowed to complete them gets shorter, requiring dogs to maintain both speed and their ability to follow the lure.
Dagon has taken to Precision Coursing incredibly well and quickly earned his UKC Precision Coursing Advanced (RACEA) title. His fastest time around the advanced course is 4.4 seconds.
Livestock guardians and prey-drive sports
Historically, there has been debate over whether livestock guardians dogs (LGD) should participate in sports that involve prey-driven behaviors. Precision Coursing is built around chasing an artificial lure, so I don't dismiss the concern that this could conflict with the temperament we want in a livestock guardian.
Personally, I don't think Dagon's interest in the lure indicates high prey drive. He watches cats, squirrels, rabbits and frogs run through our yard every day. He notices them, watches them and then... he goes back to whatever he was doing. The plastic bag whipping around a coursing field, however? Apparently that's a completely different story. To me, that distinction matters. Tornjaks are discerning dogs, and enjoying a particular game doesn't necessarily mean they will indiscriminately chase moving animals.
That doesn't mean I would recommend Precision Coursing for every Tornjak. Age, job and individual temperament all matter. I absolutely wouldn't introduce young dogs to high-speed running and sharp turns while they're still developing physically, nor would I encourage it for a young LGD while their instincts and judgment are still maturing.
However, Dagon is a mature dog who has repeatedly demonstrated appropriate calm, discerning guardian instincts. For him, Precision Coursing is simply a game: a chance to run, think, have fun with me and indulge in his apparently very specific love of chasing a plastic bag.
Coursing in Tornjak style
Dagon's love of Precision Coursing is interesting. He isn't a sighthound and he wasn't bred to chase things across a field. In fact, it’s the opposite, he's a Tornjak. His natural job is to notice what is happening around him, decide what matters and conserve his energy until something actually requires his attention.
Yet one of the things that makes the Tornjak such a unique livestock guardian is their relationship with family. These serious guardians are deeply family-oriented and have a genuine desire to interact with their humans. For Dagon, this is just another family game night. And honestly, that makes me even more proud of him.
Want to learn more about Dagon and his accomplishments?
