FastCAT Weekend

This past weekend we took Addi, ZuZu and Rosie to a FastCAT trial.  They all earned their BCAT titles last year, so now we are trying to earn their DCAT titles.  I’ve written a few posts about FastCAT, I’ll link them below for anyone wanting to learn more.  But to simplify, the dogs earn different titles the more points they earn.

Last year the collies earned a total of 30 new titles, but I don’t think we will ever be able to replicate that, especially since we are so busy with puppies.  This year they’ve earned two new championships, and we hope to add a few more titles to the list, including Addi’s next therapy dog title.   Nolan will be going to his first official shows next month, and we can’t wait to see how he does.  The collie specialty shows won’t start up until the Fall, so for now we are focusing on FastCAT and the puppies.

FastCAT Explained

Other FastCAT posts

4 weeks old already!

 This weekend we are busy at a FastCAT trial, but of course I made time for puppy gazing.  They are now 4 weeks old and I’m having so much fun with them!

Morgan

I love that she has her Mama Peyton’s markings.  And she is so playful!

Rory

Rory is equally playful, and just as pretty as her sister.  I don’t know which little one will be staying with us, as we seem to change our minds daily.  We love them both so much, but we are determined to keep only one, as Addi will hopefully be having puppies in a few months and we want to keep a smooth puppy.  It’s times like these that I miss my Uncle Fran, I would love to show him the puppies and ask his opinion.  I think he would love that we are continuing in his footsteps.  I wish he could read my stories printed in The Cassette magazine and here on the collie blog.  I know he would have enjoyed seeing me writing about his beloved collie breed.  And if he were still with us, maybe he would have wanted to take one of these two sisters, and we could keep them both in the family.  But that’s just wishful thinking, as he mainly had smooth collies in the end.  I’ve been thinking about all the past collies in our family, and how his decision to get his first collie impacted all our lives.  If he hadn’t decided on a collie so long ago, would I be looking at the sweet, little faces of our two puppies?  I’ll never be 100% certain, but I think I would have still fallen in love with the collie, just look at those faces!

FastCAT pics

 Rosie and Peyton just received their FastCAT pictures from last month. 

It’s funny, the photographer captured something interesting.  Rosie is actually chasing the lure in her picture.  And Addison is just running straight to me.  Addi enjoys FastCAT, but her priority isn’t the lure, it’s getting to me as fast as she can!  It’s just reason #768 why Addi is the sweetest ever! 

FastCAT season has started!

The picture is from last year

We had a fun weekend, it was our first FastCAT trial of the season.  I went by myself, so I only took two collies, Addi and Rosie.  Their times were a bit slower than last year, but they had fun!

It was funny to watch them, they were both running to me, instead of trying to catch the lure.  Some dogs run right by their person, trying to catch the “bunny.”  On Addison’s runs she ran right to me, her focus is completely on me.  Rosie ran to me, but each time she spotted the photographer stretched out in the grass, she passed right by me and dove under his arms for a quick snuggle.  I think the photographer loved it.  Next FastCAT we will try to bring Sorsha and ZuZu, as they are 100% focused on catching the lure.  If you want to learn more about this fun dog sport, please check out our previous posts below:

FastCAT

Run Collies Run

Fast Cat? No, Fast Collie!

FastCAT fun

Peyton has News!

I know I promised to share some exciting news, it’s still coming.  So please come back in the upcoming weeks! (There is a clue in this post)

Another fun weekend with the collies!

It was another busy weekend, and the collies had a lot of fun.  On Friday we attended another Fast CAT event.  This one was out of state, but my daughter loved their Halloween themed ribbons, so we packed up Sorsha and Rosie and drove to Pennsylvania.  Both Sorsha and Rosie were one run away from earning their BCAT titles, and actually did their best times at this event.  Sorsha even dropped 2 seconds off her time!  I’m not sure if it was the new location, or maybe it was because it was a more open track, but they loved running at this event.  And both brought home a new title and ribbon!

Halloween is in two days, but since it falls on a Thursday this year, our town held its annual trunk or treat event this past Saturday.  We signed up to participate again, as we had fun last year.  I used the same trunk decoration, and added some cobwebs.  Ryder also joined in with the theme, and wore a spider costume.  Everyone loved him, he was definitely the star.  A few families asked what breed of dog he was, and where they could get a collie.  It’s sad that people no longer recognize a collie, but then I get to introduce the collie to new generations, and  help promote this sweet, beautiful dog breed.

On Thursday and Saturday we attended a dog show, and Addison did some winning! She won Winner’s Bitch both days, which gave her 2 more points towards her championship.  I thought she looked beautiful, and she was trying her very best.  I guess she doesn’t want her sister, Peyton, to get all the attention!

These collies are doing so well, and earning so many titles, I couldn’t be happier or more proud!  Fast CAT is over until the Spring, unless we want to drive out of State again.  But there are quite a few dog shows coming up, and a Barn Hunt, so I think we will wait until Spring to try Fast CAT again.  November is fast approaching, so it’s time to start slowing down on dog events.   It’s almost time to catch up on reading, Christmas movies, and spending time with family…

Peyton has news!

 This weekend we did another Fast CAT event.   And Peyton has finally decided she loves Fast CAT!  She ran twice on Saturday and twice on Sunday, and had her fastest times!  These times weren’t just her fastest, they were almost faster than Addi’s times!  

And with these four runs, Peyton earned her first title!  On Sunday, after her second run, Peyton earned her BCAT.  I’m so proud of her, it took her a little longer, but she has caught the Fast CAT bug!

Rosie, Sorsha and ZuZu were also at the Fast CAT.  Rosie and Sorsha are both one run away from earning their BCAT, and ZuZu is quickly earning points to her next title, DCAT!  They are having so much fun!

Rosie, flying down the Fast CAT track!

Look at her happy expression, ZuZu loves this sport so much!

Some Fast CAT fun!

 The pictures from last weekend’s Fast CAT finally came!  I think they came out great, so I had to share them!

Rosie

ZuZu

Addi

Sorsha

Peyton

Look at those happy faces!  If you were wondering if you should try Fast CAT with your dog, you absolutely should! I’m not sure the quality of these pictures comes through on the collie blog.  If you want to see a clearer version, stop by our instagram, @Smoothcollies 

Fast CAT? No, it should be called Fast Collie!

We had another busy weekend, and the collies made it to another Fast CAT trial.  ZuZu, “Lightning Legs McCollie”, had two great runs.  On her second run she had her fastest time yet!  She only needs 15 more points for the first Fast CAT title.  With her speed, she is already in the top 40 fastest runs for collies.

Addi, my sweet, happy-go-lucky girl, did her best.  But with her calm, laidback personality, she is unlikely to set any records.  She has decent times and has so much fun chasing the plastic bag, and that's all that really matters.  She will hopefully get enough points at the next trial, on the 29th, to also earn her first Fast CAT title, BCAT.

And then there is Peyton.  Her first run went really well, with Peyton finally earning a respectable time.  And looking at her face in the picture, she seemed to be really enjoying it.  But on her second run, she changed her mind halfway down the track, and gave up the chase.  In her collie mind, it just wasn’t worth it.  I’m not quite ready to give up yet, because I think she’s having fun, it’s hard to tell with my stoic girl.

All these amazing pictures were taken by Wild Sage Photography

I’m so thankful we discovered this fun dog sport! The collies are really enjoying getting the chance to hang out with us at the events, the fresh air and sunshine, and the excitement of everyone cheering for them.  The collies 10/10 recommend giving Fast CAT a try!

Run Collies, Run!

The collies enjoyed another weekend of FastCAT, and were able to earn more points towards their first FastCAT titles, BCAT.  They still have a way to go to get the needed 150 points, but they are having a lot fun at the trials.  Well, Addison and ZuZu are having fun, Peyton still hasn’t decided if she likes it yet.  They are entered in another trial this coming Saturday, so I’m hoping Peyton decides it’s fun after all.  She seems to enjoy going with me, and is happy to be included, but chasing the lure…just doesn’t seem to excite her.  She saunters after the lure, just taking her time, going at her own pace.  And maybe, that’s just how it will be with Peyton, and that’s okay.  I will continue to try to find something she enjoys, but right now, Peyton’s passion seems to be snuggling on the couch.  

As for ZuZu, she did amazing, it was her first trial, and she ran so fast!  She is already in the top 40 for FastCAT times in collies.  My daughter gave her a new nickname, ZuZu Lightning Legs! And Addison beat her own personal times from two weeks ago, and seems to be having fun, so I’m glad she’s enjoying herself.

The collies try FastCAT!

Today we are excited to share our ninth post in our series, The Versatile Collie.  Collies are such versatile dogs, they excel at many different activities, including FastCAT!  Please read below to learn more! 

This past weekend we tried something new with the collies.  It is a dog sport designed around a dog’s natural instincts.  It’s an AKC sport called FastCAT.  FastCAT, or the Coursing Ability Test, was created to time a dog’s speed while doing a 100 yard dash. The dog chases a lure, down a 100 yard course, and is timed with points awarded based on how fast the dog runs.  The AKC even keeps records of the fastest dogs, by breed, you can find them listed here.  But FastCAT isn’t limited to just purebreds, any dog can compete, they just need an AKC canine partners or a PAL registration number.

Peyton, she looks like she is enjoying the run!

This was our very first time attending a FastCAT test, so we had a lot to learn.  But everyone was very friendly, helpful and welcoming.  The dogs are allowed to run twice each day, you just have to register twice. Typically you need two people for each dog, one to release the dog on one end of the course, and one to catch the dog at the other end.  The catcher’s job is also to cheer and encourage the dogs to run as fast as they can to try to catch the lure.  This will help them get the best time possible.  But if you don’t have a second person, and many didn’t, there are always people willing to release your dog for you.  I did this for an adorable border collie and a Samoyed, while waiting for our next run.

Go Addi, Go! (This amazing photo was taken by Jon Washer)

The points are calculated by a formula. The formula is 204.545 divided by the dog’s run time, which equals the MPH the dog ran.  You then take the MPH and times it by the dog’s handicap. The handicap is based on the dog’s size, to make it fair for those dogs with shorter legs.

204.545 divided by run time (seconds) = MPH
For example, Addison completed one of her runs in 11.42 seconds, 204.545 / 11.42 = 17.91 mph
MPH x Handicap = points

• under 12" = 2 handicap
• 12" - under 18" = 1.5 handicap
• 18" and over = 1 handicap

17.91 mph x 1 handicap (Addi’s in the 18 inches handicap) = 17.91 points.

17.91 mph x 1.5 handicap = 26.865 points
17.91 mph x 2 handicap = 35.82 points

Her first run was a bit slower, she ran the course in 12.78 seconds, which gave her 16.01 points.  When you combine the points for both runs, she has a total of 33.92 points.  Not bad considering it was our first time, and neither of us knew what we were doing!  Peyton stopped 1/2 way on her first run, as she didn’t understand this new game and she was also suspicious of the photographer.  He was stretched out on the grass, behind me, and she thought that seemed highly suspect.  She completed her second run, but she was still hesitant.  Her score was 20.85 seconds, earning her 9.81 points.  The titles are earned once the dogs have accumulated enough points, so we have a way to go. 

FastCAT titles 

BCAT = 150 points 

DCAT = 500 points 

FCAT = 1,000 points

FCAT multiple = every additional 500 points (FCAT2 = 1,500)

Addison looks so happy! You can see how wet the ground was that day, but the water spray made the pictures so pretty!

We are signed up for a couple more FastCATs in the upcoming weeks, so I can’t wait to see their speed increase as their confidence grows!  All the dogs competing were having so much fun.  We were the only first timers, so I’m hoping Addi and Peyton will begin to enjoy this just as much as the others.  It’s a very exciting dog sport, and I was surprised at how many collies have already earned the FCAT title. Our own goal right now is just to have fun, and maybe to eventually get that BCAT title!

Addison, looking proud of her new ribbons!

All the pictures during the event were taken by Jon Washer photography, he did such a great job with everyone’s photos!  Please see the links below, for other posts in our Versatile collie series.

Barnhunt

Trick Dog

Agility

Pet Therapy

Service Dogs

K9 Nosework (Scentwork)

Sulky

Herding