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Wayne Larson USA (Verified User) Posts 2666 Dogs 0 / Races 0 29 Sep 2012 03:44
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Bryan, Dogs 101 is a popular half-hour series on the Animal Planet cable channel, and each episode usually profiles three different breeds. This piece on greyhounds isn't bad as a quick overview for people who know nothing at all about the breed, but it's far from comprehensive and there are some notable inaccuracies. The veterinarian, Nicholas Dodman, appears on most Dogs 101 as an expert commentator about the different breeds. But he's off-base when he implies poor conditions for greyhounds at the tracks. What may have existed at one time is not the case today. Tracks are regulated by the states where they operate, and state-employed veterinarians are present at the tracks.
Healthwise, actively racing greyhounds tend to be superb physical specimens. Those going into adoption are neutered and have a thorough teeth cleaning. Leg and other injuries are repaired by veterinarians who volunteer their services to adoption groups or provide them at a discount or at-cost.
It's misleading when the video says that greyhound racing is "outlawed" in most states. Under the states' rights pattern of government in the U.S., an individual state has the right to determine whether it will allow any form of gambling or racing of animals within its borders. In other words, in a state where there is no horse or dog racing, it's usually because the state government hasn't authorized it.
As to greyhound adoption, it's been encouraged by state regulation, the greyhound racing industry itself and hundreds of volunteer adoption groups. The breeding of racing greyhounds is highly controlled with tattooing and National Greyhound Association registration requirements. It's become a business, and backyard breeders have disappeared. An American household will almost never find a greyhound racing puppy, although American Kennel Club show greyhounds are a different matter.
It's estimated that there are about 130,000 adopted racing greyhounds now living in American homes - several times more than the total currently in the breeding system or racing. Public awareness about the excellence of adult greyhounds as pets has grown dramatically in the past two decades. Meanwhile, the greyhound racing industry has continued to decline along with thoroughbred racing, both challenged by the preference for casinos among gamblers and by states who welcome casinos for their tax revenues.
It's only my opinion, but I think that today the odds of a greyhound in America living out a full and happy life are better odds than for most other dogs, especially mixed breeds and the products of puppy mills. People who adopt greyhounds do not make a spur-of-the-moment choice at the local pet store or dog pound. They've been interviewed, had home visits from adoption volunteers and have had time to think through all the pluses and minuses. In this country today, it's good to be a greyhound.
A great post Wayne, it filled in the gaps my posting left out. Thanks. It's true the greyhound has now found a nyche as a pet dog as more and more people come to realise what a perfect pet they make. Once people take in their first greyhound, they will always have greyhounds. The problem was getting them to take their first hound, and then get hooked on the breed.
Ken Murray United Kingdom (Verified User) Posts 120 Dogs 0 / Races 0 16 Oct 2012 08:14
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hi wayne a lot of my friends who we walk with say the next dog they get will be a greyhound so ther;er getting more popular, so its nice to walk with our latest dog ace and they:re saying what a lovely natured dog he is, we have had 4 dogs and see what a great dogs they are with kids and when we stand outside my grandchilds school they all crowd round to stroke him and a lot of the mums are surprised too,so the message is getting out there. ken
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