Life is fun when you can really sink your teeth into your job. For a sighthound, that statement is literally applied.

Sighthounds are a category of dogs that participate in lure coursing, a sport not as widely known as greyhound racing or dog agility courses. It is more common in Canada and the Eastern United States, but is gaining popularity on the West Coast, including the Snoqualmie Valley.

Lure coursing is an activity where dogs referred to as sighthounds – which includes greyhounds, whippets, basenjis, Afghan hounds and several other breeds – chase a “lure,” usually a white plastic bag on a cord, across a field course marked by curves and straight stretches. The dogs chase the bag as if it were live prey, and their masters often refer to the bag as “the bunny.”

Two to three dogs run at once in a field event. At the end of the course, the dog who “catches” the lure joyously sinks its teeth into it as a reward.

Fall City resident Carol Chittum raises, shows and courses whippets. She also founded Cascade Coursing Club with other local sighthound fanciers. Two weekends ago, three generations of her dogs took several awards at the Northwest Sporting Greyhounds Association on Camano Island. Poppy, a grandmother at age 9, won first place in the veterans’ category. Poppy’s offspring, Liisa, and granddaughter, Justine, also took home awards. Chittum’s family of whippets have garnered many awards between them in the United States and Canada.

But awards were not the goal hundreds of years ago when lure coursing began. During that time, the hounds’ goal was to hunt food and chase predators. In modern days, with the advent of grocery stores, the sport has developed into a graceful way to exercise the dogs to their potential. Sighthounds were bred for hunting and excel at chasing objects. The sport gives these canines a way to still experience a “hunt,” without hurting wildlife.

“They love it, they absolutely love it,” she said. “Coursing keeps temperaments sound and keeps the body sound.” Lure coursing also allows owners and judges to evaluate each dog’s speed, intelligence, agility, determination and courage in a way that regular dog shows cannot.

Whippets can run as fast as 35 miles per hour in a straight line. When going around corners, their time is a bit slower. They expend a great deal of energy running a course, and may only do so two or three times per day, especially during a show.

“Whippets have two speeds – on and off. If there’s something to do, they do it with great abandon and passion,” Chittum said. But if there’s nothing to do, whippets are quiet, sweet, playful and mellow at home, Chittum said.

For more information on lure coursing or sighthounds, call the American Sighthound Field Association at (203) 563-0533.