The Life Of A Racing Greyhound (Part 1)
The Greyhound is one of the most esteemed and primordial breed of dog. They are classified as sighthounds, because of their excellent vision and great speed and agility. A Greyhound can usually see a moving object from a mile away, and has the tendency to
chase it. They can reach speeds of over 60 kilometers per hour in only two or three strides, making this a dog that is impossible to catch. The shape of the dog is beneficial to the uses of the dog, which includes hunting and Greyhound racing. It has long,
muscled legs, a deep chest with an unusually large heart and lungs, and a slender waist. Its spine is also extremely flexible and has the highest percentage of fast twitch muscles of any dog. All these factors make an extremely fast and agile breed.
Greyhounds are not aggressive dogs. Some people believe that they are because of the muzzles that they wear while racing, but that is mainly to prevent dogs from nipping each other, usually after a race is over, when they are still excited. Greyhounds have
very thin skin, which can be easily torn by the smallest of nips, and require stitches which would result in time out from racing. Greyhound puppies are more active than when they mature, because they do not know how to utilize their energy and tend to be
hyperactive. Puppies require more experienced handlers and effort than grown Greyhounds.
Greyhounds were first used in coursing, which is the pursuit of game by dogs. In the 1920s, Greyhound racing was introduced into England, Ireland, and the United States. Greyhounds are known as the world’s fastest dogs. They enjoy running, which is why they
are successful, and like to run on amateur tracks just as much as professional tracks.
The initial use of Greyhounds was coursing deer, which originated in Europe. Later, the coursing of hares was introduced, but now, Greyhounds are mainly used for racing. However, breeders from Ireland, who are the world’s leader in Greyhound breeding, argue
that coursing is important. Usually, coursing champions are bred with racing champions to keep an early pace, meaning a higher speed over the first 100 yards of running. Greyhounds that are the fastest over 300 to 600 yards can trace their bloodlines back
to Irish Greyhounds, since a vast majority of pure-bred Greyhounds are born in Ireland.
Greyhound b*****s usually give birth to a litter of between six and eight pups. They can come in a wide range of colors, from white to black, and from blue to red. There are over thirty recognized colors of Greyhounds. To prepare a Greyhound for racing,
they are cared for from day one. The first five to eight weeks are spent with the mother, with humans intervening to make them accustomed to human presence.
Once they are weaned, they are moved into a kennel that is separate from the mother, but usually right next to her. When the puppies are let outside to play, the mother joins them. When the puppies’ bones are fully developed, usually between 12 and 14 months,
the puppies are moved into separate kennels, to get used to the crate that they will occupy while they are not racing. The puppies are turned out four to five times a day, and are permitted to interact with each other during that time.
For the next four to six months, until they are 18 months old, they will be trained to run in a sprint or coursing field, chase a lure, and, lastly, to run on an actual track. When the Greyhounds turn 18 months, they are sent to their racing kennels, where
they will race about twice a week. By now, they are adjusted to the schedule of racing and kennel life.
The next articles will discuss Greyhounds’ racing life, as well as life after racing. Dogs that are no longer suitable for racing are usually euthanized, if they cannot find a home. Caring for a retired racing Greyhound will also be discussed. Take a look!
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