How does Endurance work?
For dogs to be accepted as endurance tested, they must be at or over two years of age.
Since coursing is a physically taxing sport, there are some minimum requirements for dogs entering any stakes. Dogs cannot be lame, in season, or sick. With this in mind we do not have age limitations for senior dogs. However for realism sake, we would like dogs to have been exposed to stamina training in some form. Dogs cannot be obese or in poor shape, as hunting during the hotter months can cause hounds to overheat.
Endurance Testing (AD)
Accepted AD tests are from Pedigree-Club, Mondial-Kennel-Club, WUSV, Kennel-Club or any registry which requires at least three elements in the background for an Endurance test. Grass and clouds are not considered elements unless given enough detail to merit it. Written Endurance titles may be used, but must be no less than three hundred (300) words per dog
We also accepted FtR titles, but only if the prerequisite AD or UHP title has also been completed as well. The FtR title provides even more prevention than an AD/UHP alone.
We do not accept title spam or other titles in general for this requirement. NOFCA isn't about buying or creating a lot of titles to get an advantage over other competitors, it is about having the endurance to stick with the venue long enough to achieve greatness. Lure Coursing is a wonderful outlet, but it isn't nearly long enough of a course to be considered comparable (less than a mile) due to equipment limitations. FCI runs lure coursing at one thousand meters or less.
Azawakh, Canis Nudari, Saluki, Sloughi, and Pharaoh Hounds only: as desert bred dogs who have a clear advantage due to breeding, country of origin (COO) imported dogs are automatically exempt from paw pad injuries after two years of age. BEWARE! No cheating. Show bred dogs cannot be listed as COO, and any dogs falsely listed as COO will have all rewards made invalid if this is discovered. To signify that the dog is COO must be done on the endurance portion of the entry form and cannot be reversed.
Did you know? Greyhounds are infamous for weak paw pads.
The Benefits
One of the most common injuries obtained during any type of coursing is dogs skinning the paw pads. Though pads are hardened skin, all skin must be exposed to pressure before it hardens and becomes less prone to injury against rock and dirt.
Certain breeds are prone to paw pad injuries in general. NOFCA simulates injuries and realism by making it so that certain breeds, lineages, and already well-conditioned dogs will have removed or reduced odds of injuries.