Cross Breeds

Should I get into greyhound racing?

I am deciding between two careers: Racing Greyhound owner/trainer and acupuncturist. I love and respect animals and especially dogs,but I heard racing is a very cruel sport. Is there anyway to be a responsible and humane trainer,yet successful at the same time? A greyhound trainer I know said that everyone uses drugs and steroids on thier dogs and unless I do the same,I will never win any races,is it true?

Public Comments

1. You are right. some owners do pump up their dogs with drugs and therefore you would be taking a chance. As for racing the dogs, i believe it is only cruel if you feel the dog does not enjoy racing. If the dog does enjoy it, then it is as if the dog has a job racing, with you as his assistant. Both of you are earning your keep.
2. yes its true, it is a VERY VERY CRUEL SPORT....those dogs deserve so much better
3. it is an awful sport- those poor dogs need a better life and a better home. Don't become interested in something that is so cruel to the animals. None of the races would be fair to run and unless you become cruel like them it is true you will not win races. but PLEASE DON'T USE THESE DRUGS!!!
4. do not do it , if it is the breed your interested in go to greyhound rescue, there are so many that are ex-racers,they probably lost one too many races, so they are being discarded, and ending up in rescue shelters. they need love from a forever home. so please consider what your thinking for the sake of the dog.
5. I do know some trainers who love the dogs like their own and treat them very well indeed, even producing winners, and never giving retired dogs up. However, the 'industry' as a whole treats them like commodities, not like animals, and no matter how fabulous you are with your dogs, there will be 100 others who are awful, paying silly money for some scumbag to put a bolt through their head and leaving them, dead or alive, on a junk yard at the end of their life. Do you really want to associate with people like that? Take on your other career, and give your spare time to sheltar dogs.
6. If you are truly as ignorant as this question makes you seem,you are incapable of dealing w/real live WORKING animals. Stay away,thanks.