Sprint Racing is very different from Lure Coursing and has it's own set of Rules. These Rules may be amended from time to time, so please check back before entering your dog(s) for a race. The Sprint Rules need to be followed in addition to all the general Luratics field rules:

1. MUZZLES. All Sprinters are required wear Luratics/NABSA-approved muzzles when racing against other dogs.
   1.1. Approved muzzles include the box type used at all US Greyhound tracks; plastic coated English-style light wire racing muzzles, or the softie style muzzle. Muzzles made of heavy wire are dangerous and not permitted. Light wire muzzles of the English type, if not plastic coated, are not permitted. The muzzle should allow the dog full freedom to open his/her mouth at all times. However, the muzzle must not allow the dog to be able to grasp the lure. A dog which can grasp the lure is a potential danger to the other dogs and agents.
   
   You can find comfortable, affordable basket muzzles and sizing information at Jeffer's Pet. Just type in "plastic muzzles" in the search box. Don't forget to mention our code ("luratics101") when you order - we get a donation every time!
   
   For a softie muzzle, see the link below at no. 2. Muzzles are not required at our Sprint training camps but you may use them.
   
   1.2 SELECTING A JEFER'S MUZZLE FOR YOUR DOG:
   1.3. Use string or fabric measuring tape to measure around dog's nose.
   1.4. Place forefinger under measuring tape to insure enough space for the dog to be comfortable - don’t tighten the string; it should be free to move around the dog’s nose.
   1.5. Measure the string with a ruler, and then select the proper muzzle size.
   Size 1=7"
   Size 2=8"
   Size 3=9"
   Size 4=10"
   Size 5=11"
   Size 6=11 1/2"
   Size 7=12"
   Size 8=15"
2. For a custom-fit softie, go to the Conquest Terriers site. These washable muzzles have breathable mesh up the middle and will be made to your specifications.
3. There's also a good chat thread on getting your dog used to a muzzle at Mighty Mite.
4. RACING JACKETS. All racers will be required to wear colored jackets during the race. For fun runs, colored ruffs may be substituted for jackets.
   
5. SPRINT TRAINING CAMP. Training Camp is an event at which novice and inexperienced racers will have a chance to run the course alone as well as with other dogs of similar experience and size. They get to try out their muzzles and jackets (or ruffs), learn about the "rabbit hole" barrier, and perfect their racing form while gaining confidence. All breeds and sizes are welcome at these Camps.
   
6. RACE TRACK DIMENSIONS, ETC. The sprint race track is a minimum of 150 feet long plus an additional 50 feet past the finish line. The race track shall be 20 feet in width at the start, and 30 feet in width at the finish line with an additional 10 ft. in width at both start and finish whenever field conditions allow. These are minimum widths, and wider tracks are preferred when possible to allow the dogs more freedom of stride and to reduce bodily contact. The field shall be fenced on either side of the race area and behind the finish line.
7. STARTING LINE. All breeds shall be hand-slipped at the starting line on the "talley-ho." We don't use a starting box.
8. FINISH LINE. In a race with a bunny hole barrier, the first dog through the hole and out the other side is the winner. In a race without the barrier, the first 3 dogs to cross the finish line will be declared the winners in 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.
   
9. NUMBER OF PROGRAMS
   8.1. Fun Runs: No points are awarded but ribbons may be given for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. Entrants may run up to 5 times each, however each dog must be allowed a minimum rest of 15-20 minutes between races.
   8.2. Official Race Meets: consist of two programs of racing (preliminary and final) in which an entry can race once in each program. If a racer does not start in one program, it is automatically scratched from subsequent program(s). In order for a meet to be official, all programs planned must be completed. Programs can be arranged to run each pure/mixed breed in sequence or intermingled. However, no dog will be allowed to race without a 15 to 20 minute rest between programs unless a rerun is required. A rerun may be run with less than 15 minutes rest depending on the length of the first run and with consent of the owner/agent.
10. JUDGES.
    9.1. FINISH LINE JUDGES
    The Race Chairman shall appoint qualified Finish Line Judges prior to the running of a race. A Head Finish Line Judge may be appointed to assure that there are enough qualified judges for a race. A judge should not have an interest in a dog entered in the race to be judged. There must be at least two line judges. The Finish Line Judges must be thoroughly qualified to accurately determine the order of finish of each race. One judge is designated “Head Judge”. Each Judge should carefully observe the order of finish of each race while standing well back from the track for good visibility, and, preferably from an elevated stand, at the Finish Line.
    Immediately after each race, without conferring with anyone, they should each write the order of finish of every dog by color of jackets on the Results Sheet. The Report(s) are given to the “Head Judge” for correlation. The majority decides a difference of opinion. A tie should be called if the judges are equally split or if there is a very strong disagreement on a placing.
    The outcome of the race for every racer must be indicated. A dog that leaves the track at any time prior to crossing the finish line shall be scored as ‘off course’. A dog that does not cross the finish line or crosses the finish line only after receiving assistance from a person or persons on the track should be scored as “did not finish”.
    Results are not final until posted on the meet scoreboard after reports of the Foul Judges have been considered.
    9.2. FOUL JUDGES. There shall be at least two Foul Judges for every race.
    
11. FOULS:
    10.1. Intentional Fouls. A dog shall be disqualified for “intentional foul” when, between the starting line and the finish line, it turns its head from the lure towards another racer and either makes contact or doesn't, but obviously impedes, stops or forces the second dog to run wide to avoid contact. Only the Foul Judges can disqualify a racer. If two or more Foul Judges have written up the same foul, then the Paddock Master shall be notified and shall issue a notice of Disqualification to the Owner/Handler of the dog, stating the foul committed and the race or program when it occurred.
    10.2. Uncertain Judge.
    If a Foul Judge is uncertain whether an Intentional Foul was committed or is uncertain of the identity of the aggressor, she should call a “Possible Foul” on her Report
    10.3. Retaliation
    If a dog retaliates after being attacked, it should not be disqualified. Only the aggressor should be disqualified.
    10.4. WHAT IS A FOUL?
    A foul is interference. Interference occurs when a dog deliberately and aggressively impedes the progress of one or more dogs during a race. What is not a foul? It is not deliberate interference when:
    (a) A dog “lays on” or “shoulders another dog while passing or being passed.
    (b) A dog runs to its left or right; i.e., is a “wide runner”. There are many “wide runners” who never turn their heads.
    (c) A strong and determined dog shoves its way through the dogs ahead of it.
    (d) A dog tries to jump over the dog ahead of it.
    (e) A dog retaliates when interfered with (it is the first foul only that should be called).
    (f) A dog collides with another dog when breaking across the starting line.
    10.5. Penalty
    A dog that is disqualified is dismissed from further racing at this Race Meet. If a dog is disqualified a second time within twelve (12) months of the first foul, it will be barred from racing at Official Luratics/NABSA Race Meets for the twelve months following the date of the second foul. Should a dog be disqualified for “Intentional Foul” three times, it will be permanently barred from Official Luratics/NABSA Race Meets.
    
12. BARRED FROM RACING
    The Race Committee shall bar any dog from racing for the following reasons:
    (a) A bitch that shows noticeable signs of being in season. She can be barred at any time during a meet when such signs are noticed.
    (b) A dog that shows obvious signs of sickness or injury
    (c) Any dog that “Fouls” at schooling races can be barred temporarily from Official PCA Race Meets if the Team Owner feels the dog will “Foul” at the Official Meet.
    11.1 SCRATCHES
    An owner or agent may scratch his racer from the meet before the racers have been regrouped for the next program of racing. No racer may be scratched by its owner or agent after the racers have been regrouped for the next program of racing unless the racer is injured or ill, and the injury or illness has been verified by the Race Committee.
    The Race Committee may scratch a dog without prejudice for the following reasons:
    (a) Any racer that fails to finish a race or fails to finish in true racing style may be scratched from further racing that day.
    (b) Any dog which unduly delays racing such as by refusing to face forward in the starting line, or which removes its muzzle several times at the start, or which refused to walk to the start.
    (c) Any dog left out of a race by neglect or oversight of the agent or owner.
    The results of the meet should indicate any dogs which were Scratched.

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Puka sporting her stylish basket muzzle at a Sprint in La Mesa

One basket, one softie