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5 FAST CATS
Hosted By

Pensacola Dog Fanciers Association &
Running Dog Coursing

Licensed by the American Kennel Club
FRI, SAT & SUN: 
March 1, 2, & 3, 2024
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Early Entry $21 – Entries Must Be Received By  

FTS By 12:00 PM On February 24, 2024, For Early Entry Price Cash or Checks Only 

PLEASE MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO RDC
MAIL TO:
RUNNING DOG COURSING
9120 AIRPORT BLVD STE N
MOBILE, AL 36608

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ONLINE ENTRIES AT RUNNINGDOGCOURSING.COM

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Permission has been granted by the American Kennel Club for the holding of this event under
American Kennel Club Rules and Regulations.

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ALL BREEDS
Must be individually registered with the AKC
This includes all AKC-registered purebreds, Foundation Stock Service (FSS), Purebred
Alternative Listing (PAL), and AKC Canine Partners. Spayed or neutered dogs or dogs
with breed disqualifications may be entered.
Not AKC registered? NO PROBLEM!
You will be able to register your Canine Partner with AKC at the event, and your dog can
participate in the tests that very same day
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FIELD COMMITTEE
(In response to unforeseen circumstances, committee members may be substituted as necessary)

Deb Miller

FIELD CHAIRMAN

DAN ELKES

9120 Airport Blvd Ste N, Mobile, AL 36608 (251-459-4970)

TRIAL SECRETARY

COMMITTEE

 MEMBERS OF PDFA

ENTER
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Complete an official AKC entry form for each dog.

ONE ENTRY FORM PER EVENT NUMBER.

A dog may only enter once per event.
Separate fee for each dog and each test.

Link to FTS website :

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DAY OF TEST ENTRIES

Day of Test Entries for each dog

$30

FUN RUNS

$6

Turn in your entry forms and fees to the Field Trial Secretary (FTS)

before 2pm on the day of the test.
Cash or checks only – make checks payable to RDC

Roll Call Will Start At 8:30AM
Morning entries will close at 11:30AM
Afternoon runs will Start At 1:00PM and will Close at 3:00PM

IF ENTRIES ARE NOT AT FTS ON OR BEFORE CLOSING
TIME, THEY WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED

CANINE PARTNER REGISTRATION
If your Canine Partner is not yet registered with AKC, simply fill out the
Canine Partners Enrollment Application located at the end of the premium
list and turn it in along with your entry form and fees

(Payment is made directly to AKC. Fill out the credit charge authorization on the Canine
Partners form or include a separate check for $19 payable to AKC).

 WHAT’S NEXT 
INSPECTION
Immediately following the close of entries, each dog will be inspected by the
inspection committee for lameness, fitness to compete, and females in
season. All dogs to be inspected must be presented WITHOUT TAPE,
BANDAGES, or WRAPPING/COVERINGS of any kind. (Coats, blankets, etc.)
If, in the opinion of the inspection committee, any entry is found to be lame,
unfit to compete or in season, they shall not be allowed to test, and the
applicable entry fees shall be refunded.

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ROLL CALL AND PRE-TEST BRIEFING
All entrants will assemble in a designated location in order for the Field
Committee to confirm those entered in the test are present. Entrants should
respond with “Here” when they hear their dogs’ names called. At this time,
test procedures will be explained and any questions answered.

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RUNNING YOUR DOG
It is recommended that dogs be handled with a “slip-lead” that gives
instantaneous freedom to the dog when the “Tallyho” (release) signal is
called by the Huntmaster. The Host Club will have slip leads for you to
borrow. Please ask.
Dogs may wear any collar except a choker collar, a collar with prongs or an
electronic training collar. The collar should be snug to minimize the chances
of getting hung up on something during the run. Owners should be aware
that tags hanging from the collar could be required to be removed to help
prevent them from being entangled on something during the run. Owners
may use clips or rubber bands to hold the dog’s hair. The owner assumes
responsibility for the safety of the dog regarding the dog’s collar and
paraphernalia on the dog.

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WE WILL BE DOING BACK TO BACK RUN'S

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Fast CAT – Summary Description
The Fast CAT Test is a timed 100-yard dash for dogs. It is meant to be a fun and
healthy activity of interest to any dog owner. The following is a summary of how
the event is structured.


How Does Fast CAT Work?

1. Fast CAT is a timed straight race of 100 yards.

2. Dogs run singularly. 

3. The dog’s time to complete the 100-yard dash is converted into MPHs.

4. A handicap system is applied to a dog’s MPH to determine the number of points earned. The      handicap system is based on the height of the dog at its withers:

  • 18” or greater = handicap is 1.0

  • 12” up to less than 18” = handicap is 1.5

  • Below 12” = handicap is 2.0

5. Points = MPH multiplied by the dog’s handicap​

6.Fast CAT titles suffix titles are earned at designated milestones:

  • BCAT = 150 points

  • DCAT = 500 points

  • FCAT = 1,000 points

  • FCAT# = every additional 500 points

​7.  Top 20 by Breed by Year: The AKC Fast CAT website will feature the Top 20
    Fastest Dogs by Breed by Year national standings. The standings will be updated
    as event results are processed.


Eligibility to Participate
8. Open to all dogs at least 12 months of age that are individually registered/listed
    with the AKC. This includes dogs recorded in the FSS program, dogs with PAL
    numbers or dogs enrolled in the AKC Canine Partners program. Females in season
    may not enter. A dog may enter only once per event. (An event number defines an
    event.)

9. An inspection committee shall inspect each entry for lameness, fitness to
    compete and females in season. If necessary, the inspection committee is
    responsible for measuring dogs to determine their height at the withers.

 

The Course/Equipment
10. Safety: Safety is of utmost importance. It is the responsibility of the event
     committee to insure the safety of the course, the equipment and the conduct of
     those involved with the event. It is recommended that the event committee run a
     test dog prior to the start of the event to ensure that the equipment functions
     properly and all personnel understand their jobs. Prior to moving the lure to
     position it for the start, the lure operator shall announce, “hold your dogs” in order
     to caution owners.

11. The Start: Dogs may start up to 10 feet behind the starting line.
12. The Finish: The club must provide enough room for a safe run-out area. It is
     suggested this be a minimum of 30 yards, however this is up to the decision of the
     club given the specifics of the setting. The club should consider fencing the end of
     the course in order to help collect the dogs. It is recommended that an owner or
     someone familiar with the dog stand at the finish to catch the dog once the course
     has been completed.

13. Timing Devices: The time to complete the 100-yard dash is recorded to the
     nearest 1/100th of a second (e.g. 9.11). The club may use stopwatches or breakthe-
     beam equipment to obtain the time. If stopwatches are used, there shall be
     two timers positioned at the finish line. An individual at the start line shall signal
     with an arm drop the moment the nose of the dog crosses the start line. The
    timers shall start their stopwatches at the bottom of the arm drop. The timers shall
    stop their watches when the nose of the dog crosses the finish line. The times from
    the two stopwatches shall be averaged to determine the recorded time.
14. Lure Equipment: Clubs may use either a drag or continuous loop system. If a
    continuous loop system is used the “return” string must be set outside of the
    running course. The lure operator and the lure equipment shall be safely
    positioned in a manner that does not interfere with the retrieval of the dog at the
    end of the course.

15. Lure: A white plastic bag or a squawker may be used for the lure.
16. Course/Fencing: The course must be essentially flat. The club should consider
     fencing the course area; however, this is up to the decision of the club given the
     specifics of the setting. The premium should state if the location of the event is
     enclosed with fencing.

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Huntmaster Has Control of the Course
17. The Huntmaster has control of the course. In summary, the Huntmaster is in
    charge of all dogs and handlers on the field, shall ensure handlers understand safe
    release and retrieval procedures, shall ensure the lure is properly positioned, shall
    ensure the lure operator, timers and starting line signal person are ready, shall
    signal the lure operator to start the lure and shall give the verbal signal “tallyho”
    to release the dog.

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Hosting Fast CAT Events/Entering
18. All AKC clubs licensed for Lure Coursing or the Coursing Ability Test will be
    automatically licensed for Fast CAT. All other AKC member or licensed clubs may
    apply to the Performance Events Department (PerformanceEvents@akc.org) to
    become licensed to hold Fast CAT provided they have the experience, equipment,
    and location to hold a safe event. Clubs will be limited to twelve Fast CAT events
    per calendar year. A club may not hold more than two Fast CAT events on the
    same day. A test must start and conclude on the same day.
19. A Fast CAT event can be either a stand-alone event or may be held in
    conjunction with other AKC events. In all cases the Fast CAT must be applied for
    as a separate event with its own event number.

20. Entries: All participants must fill out an entry form as provided in the event’s
    premium list. A club may accept entries prior to the event and/or a club may
    accept day-of-event entries. The specifics of how entries will be accepted must be
    explained in the premium. A club may limit the number of entries it will accept in a
    Fast CAT event. Additional “stand-by” entries above the limit may be taken at the
    discretion of the event committee, and these dogs will be allowed to run if time
    permits. Owners of stand-by dogs must be informed that they are on the stand-by
    list and may choose not to participate.
     Complete regulations governing Fast CAT can be found on AKC Fast Cat website
     and will appear in Chapter 16 of the Regulations for Lure Coursing.

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NOTICE TO ALL EXHIBITORS
*Facilities*
The pasture field has no amenities or shade available. Please ensure the comfort of
you and your dogs by bringing your own portable shade/shelter and water.
Portable restrooms will be made available.
This event is on rural ranchland. There is no food vending. Feel free to bring your
own food and drinks.
For the safety of the dog and as a courtesy to other entrants, a testing dog should
have a reliable recall. A penalty of $10.00 may be assessed for any dog causing an
excessive delay of the event because it cannot be recalled or retrieved from the
field. Dogs that delay the event because their owners cannot recall them may be
refused entry at future events.
The Huntmaster is responsible for field safety and therefore s/he is in complete
charge of all dogs and handlers on the field. In service to this responsibility, s/he
has the authority to stop the lure in any potentially dangerous situation and signal
the handler to retrieve a testing dog. Listen to the Huntmaster and follow all
instructions promptly and swiftly.

Any decisions made by the event’s officiating judge(s) regarding the performance
of an entered dog shall be final. Full discretionary power is given to the judge(s) to
withhold any and all qualifications for lack of merit. The Judge(s) is responsible for
ensuring compliance with the AKC Regulations on the field.
Exhibitors should follow their veterinarian’s recommendation to assure their dogs
are free of internal and external parasites, any communicable diseases and have
appropriate vaccinations.
Coursing is an athletic activity that can tax a dog’s physical strength. Dogs that are
overweight and/or out of condition may be at greater risk for injury and
exhaustion. The Inspection Committee has the authority to disallow a dog’s entry
into a test, and in such instances, applicable entry fees will be refunded. 

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FOR THE SAFETY OF EXHIBITORS AND DOGS:
PLEASE HAVE RELEASER AND CATCHER IN PLACE BEFORE
RUNNING DOG
NO RECALL FROM THE STARTING LINE
COURSE AREA IS FENCED

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*General*
No entry fees will be refunded if the event cannot be started or completed by
reason of riots, civil disturbances, fire, extreme and/or dangerous weather
conditions, an Act of God, public emergency, act of a public enemy, strikes or any
other cause beyond the control of the Club or its members and representatives.
A penalty of $5.00 may be assessed for any loose dogs not competing in the
course in progress.
Persons exhibiting conduct detrimental to AKC/GCSHC/any dogs(s) and/or other
person(s) will be asked to leave the trial site.
The event-hosting club, its agents, members, representatives, volunteers, etc.,
assume no responsibility for any loss, damage or injury sustained by exhibitors,
handlers, or to any of their dogs or property and further assumes no responsibility
for injury to children or spectators.
All rights to televise, videotape, advertise, photograph, promote or otherwise
exploit this event are vested in the club, or in persons to whom assignments of
such rights have been made in writing by the club. All persons and animals
attending these shows grant the club the right to use their likeness and voice in
any matter without further consent.
Entry fees submitted and accepted will be refunded in full if the withdrawal of said
entries are requested by the dog’s owner or agent prior to the closing deadline for
entries. Requests must be made in person to the FTS. No refunds for pre-entry
fees unless the entered dog upon inspection is lame, unfit to compete, or in
season.
Females in season are NOT allowed on the site.

Late, incomplete, unsigned, unpaid or conditional entries, or entries not containing
the “Agreement” found on the Official AKC Entry Form will not be accepted.
Substitution of dogs will be accepted at the time of roll call/inspection. Once
inspection is complete, no further substitution will be allowable.
A return check fee of $35.00 will be assessed for any check(s) returned for
insufficient funds.

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YOU MUST HAVE 1 ENTRY FORM PER DOG PER EVENT NUMBER, NO
EXCEPTIONS!!! NO ELECTRONIC ENTRIES!!
ALL ENTRIES MUST BE LEGIBLE OR THEY WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED!!!

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DIRECTIONS TO TRIAL SITE

Escambia County Equestrian Center

7750 Mobile Highway  Pensacola, Fl. 32526

DIRECTIONS I-10

I-10 to US-90 ALT W. Take exit 5 from I-10
Keep right at the fork and merge onto US-90 ALT W TO BEULAH RD head south to
HYW 90 MAKE A LEFT THEN THE SITE WILL BE ON YOUR LEFT

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EMERGENCY VET (On call)

Veterinary emergency
referral center
850-477-3914
4800 N Davis hyw
Pensacola FL 33503

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MOTELS THAT HAVE ACCEPTED DOGS IN THE PAST

Please verify with motels for their current rates and pet policies.

Please clean up after your dogs at the motels and at the trial site.

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RV / OVERNIGHT PARKING
RV parking at trial site

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