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209 Fast CAT
Prepared by Jane Johnson in 2022
What is Fast CAT?
Per the AKC rule book,”The purpose of the AKC Fast Cat event is to provide all dogs and their owners an enjoyable, healthy activity in which they can participate. Dogs run singularly. The dog’s time to compete the 100 yard dash is converted into MPH. Dogs earn points based on their handicapped speed. Titles are awarded when a dog has accumulated a given number of points.”
Below is drone footage of a FastCAT run. It is a straightforward event and a good opportunity to become involved in dog activities. Read more in this article.
Professor earning his DCAT. He was 9 years old at the time.
The Fast CAT is a timed event using electronic timers at the start and finish of the course. The course itself is essentially flat and is straight. The lure is either a white plastic bag or a squawker. The lure is returned either by a continuous loop system or manually. Most clubs will have temporary fencing around the entire course including the start box and run out although AKC does not require clubs to fence the course. This information should be listed in the premium.
All regulations pertaining to Lure Coursing apply to Fast Cats as well, unless specifically addressed in the AKC Rulebook Fast Cat Regulations. It’s important to read over the rule book thoroughly before entering a trial. Entering a trial is done by filling out an entry form and providing payment-either hard copy or electronic-depending on the trial secretary. All dogs need to be registered with AKC and must be over 1 year old to compete.
There is no judge for Fast Cat since this is a timed event. Dogs must be inspected before each run by the Inspection Committee to insure the dog is fit to participate. The inspection will include a jog up/back to check for lameness. There is a hunt master at the start line who will signal the lure operator when to start the lure and shall give a verbal “tallyho” for the dog to be released. Dogs are collected at the end of their run in the catch pen. A light blue flat ribbon with the time listed on the back will be given to each dog that qualifies.
Owners calculate and keep track of their points by using this formula: 204.545 divided by the dogs run time then multiplied by the handicap. A handicap system is based on the height of the dog at the withers.
18” or greater = a handicap of 1.0.
12” up to less than 18” = a handicap of 1.5.
Below 12” = a handicap of 2.0.
It’s important to keep track of your dog’s points so that you can collect your title ribbon from the club where you earn the title. AKC runs 1-2 months behind on posting points, so it’s easy to earn a title before the dog’s points are posted.
Titles: BCAT = 150 points, DCAT = 500 points, FCAT 1000 points, and FCAT followed by the number for every additional 500 points. Example FCAT2 is 1500 points.
Read the AKC rules for Fast Cat.
Find an AKC trial by looking at the AKC event calendar.
Check with the trial chair to see if practice runs will be offered at the end of the trial
Make safety your priority.
- Be sure that you bring your dog to the event with a collar or harness that you are sure the dog cannot slip out of. Dogs can get very excited at these events and the last thing you want is for your dog to get loose.
- Exercise your dog thoroughly
- Make sure your dog’s nails are the proper length.
- Bring plenty of water and shade
- Recognize that this is an event and use proper etiquette by keeping a minimum of 6 feet between your dog and other dogs
- Let the club members who are hosting the event know you are a newbie-they are there to help you get started. Ask questions.
- If you are entering the trial, bring one person to release the dog at the start and one person to catch the dog at the finish.
- Don’t be in a rush. Fast Cat is fun and the people are great. You’ll make a lot of new friends if you decide to participate.
- Volunteering is the best way to learn about an event.
No prior training is needed to participate in AKC Fast Cat events. A couple of practice runs and dogs get the idea. Dogs can be younger than 1 year old to do practice runs.
