The Importance of FastCAT in Testing Speed and Athleticism in Our Program
“Speed kills” is the old adage that comes to my mind as I see Nahla race on the track of FastCat event chasing an inanimate white trashbag that mimics prey. This act taps into one of the oldest bonds between man and dog—the primal connection of releasing a dog to pursue its hunt.
In the world of canine sports, the AKC FastCAT (Coursing Ability Test) offers a unique opportunity to measure a dog’s speed, agility, prey drive and raw athleticism in a controlled and competitive environment. For us, it is not just another event—it is a key tool in evaluating the performance and capability of our dogs, particularly when working with powerful and versatile breeds like the Presa Canario.
We are immensely proud to announce that Nahla, a foundational piece in our program, made history at the 2024 AKC FastCAT Invitational by winning Best of Breed, becoming the first Presa Canario to achieve this remarkable feat. This victory underscores the importance of FastCAT in our approach to breeding and training, as it highlights Nahla’s superior athleticism and confirms the success of our program’s fitness and performance benchmarks.
What is FastCAT and Why It Matters?
FastCAT is a 100-yard dash where dogs run as fast as they can, chasing a lure while their time is recorded. Unlike other dog sports that test skill, precision, or agility, FastCAT focuses purely on speed and power. The results of these races give a clear indication of a dog’s physical condition, speed, and prey drive.
For our program, which aims to develop and train high-performance dogs, FastCAT is crucial for the following reasons:
1. Objective Measurement of Speed
Speed is an essential element in evaluating a dog’s athletic performance. FastCAT offers us a quantifiable measure of each dog’s top speed, allowing us to track their progress over time. In Nahla’s case, we can see how her training and conditioning directly impact her racing times. For a breed like the Presa Canario, known for its strength, endurance, and protective capabilities, achieving high-speed performance is an added bonus that confirms their versatility and adaptability.
2. Indicator of Overall Athleticism
While FastCAT is primarily a sprint, the performance in this event is indicative of overall athletic ability. Speed requires:
• Muscle strength for explosive starts
• Cardiovascular endurance to sustain a fast pace
• Agility to run in a straight line while focusing on the lure
For Nahla, winning Best of Breed at the 2024 AKC FastCAT Invitational demonstrated her exceptional physical condition and her ability to balance strength with speed, showing she is not just powerful but also highly athletic. This is particularly important for a breed like the Presa, which needs to maintain balance and coordination in real-life working scenarios.
3. Testing the Limits of Conditioning and Training
FastCAT gives us insight into how well our dogs respond to training and conditioning. Nahla’s preparation included targeted training focusing on speed, muscle development, and endurance, designed to help her reach her peak performance. By analyzing her times and tracking her improvement, we can assess how effective our conditioning program is and identify areas for further improvement.
The combination of sprinting drills, weight pulling, swimming, and other cross-training exercises has allowed Nahla to consistently improve her race times, giving us valuable feedback on our approach. Her success in FastCAT reinforces the value of these conditioning methods, which build not just speed but the well-rounded athleticism needed for her broader protection work and endurance goals.
4. Confirming the Versatility of the Presa Canario
Historically, the Presa Canario breed has been recognized for its work ethic, strength, and ability to protect. However, by excelling in events like FastCAT, Nahla is proving that this breed can also thrive in sports focused on speed and athleticism. Her win at the Invitational breaks new ground for the breed, showcasing that with the right training, even a powerful working dog like a Presa Canario can excel in sports typically dominated by more traditionally athletic breeds.
By focusing on FastCAT, we are not just proving the capabilities of our individual dogs—we are showcasing the versatility of the breed itself. Nahla’s accomplishment is not only a personal triumph but a milestone for the entire Presa Canario community, demonstrating that these dogs are capable of excelling in speed-based competitions.
5. Assessing Prey Drive
Prey drive is one of the most essential traits we look for in our dogs, especially in a breed like the Presa Canario. FastCAT serves as an excellent way to evaluate this instinct. A Presa that is unwilling to chase the lure and display even a basic level of prey drive should not be seriously considered for breeding. Prey drive is the foundation of many working tasks, from protection work to endurance challenges. Without it, a dog lacks the fundamental drive necessary for excelling in performance and working roles.
Conclusion: The Significance of Nahla’s Win
Nahla’s victory at the 2024 AKC FastCAT Invitational is much more than a trophy—it’s a testament to the strength, versatility, and athletic potential of our dogs. Her performance proves that with the right training and conditioning, even a powerful working dog like the Presa Canario can achieve exceptional results in speed-based sports.
As the first Presa Canario to win Best of Breed at FastCAT, Nahla is setting new standards for the breed and showing the world what these dogs are truly capable of. For us, FastCAT remains an integral part of our program, offering critical insights into the speed, endurance, and overall athleticism of our dogs. We are proud to continue testing and pushing the limits of performance with each dog in our program, ensuring they reach their full potential, both on the track and in the field.
With FastCAT being such a valuable tool in evaluating our dogs’ speed and conditioning, we look forward to seeing where Nahla and the rest of our program’s dogs go from here. This is just the beginning, and we are excited for what the future holds.
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