AKC Coursing Ability Tests

The Coursing Ability Test is a fun event for your dog, fashioned after the sport of lure coursing.  It’s available to all breeds, mixed breeds and purebreds with breed disqualifications.  Dogs run alone in a large open area, chasing a white plastic bag as if they were pursuing a small varmint.  It is a pass/fail, non-competitive test, in which dogs must run with enthusiasm. Dogs less than 12 inches tall and brachycephalic dogs run 300 yards.  All other dogs run 600 yards. The AKC requires that dogs be checked for lameness prior to running.


Dogs earn “legs” towards various coursing titles. 

Three passes = Coursing Ability (CA)
Ten total passes = Coursing Ability Advanced (CAA)
Twenty-five total passes = Coursing Ability Excellent (CAX)
Fifty total passes = CAX2
a higher numbered title will be awarded for every additional twenty-five passes.

AKC Fast Coursing Ability Tests

The Fast CAT Test is a timed 100 yard dash for dogs. It is meant to be 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 points7.
   
   

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.