Cross Breeds - Do you agree with greyhound racing?

Do you agree with greyhound racing?

I have thoroughly researched the greyhound breed. This is a medium to large size dog that has an average need for exercise (i.e. the usual amount of exercise you would give a dog of this size). They are obviously very fast and have high levels of stamina but do not necessarily love to run. I am now completely against greyhound racing as I recently worked in a greyhound rescue and most of the animals they had were unwanted racing dogs that were either too old or had stopped winning on the track due to problems with their joints (i.e. arthritis etc.). After further research I looked around and found that it is actually very hard to buy a greyhound puppy as they are always bought by people/bred by people that intend to use them for racing in order for personal gain (i.e. to financially profiting from them). I am shocked that so many people are ignorant and think that this type of 'sport' isn't considered a blood sport. "They love to run bla bla bla". I feel this is absolute rubbish, just because they can run fast doesn't mean they want to or should. One of the dogs I nursed was very badly emotionally scarred and would freak out at the site of a white transit van (as these are the type of vehicle they spend most of their travelling lives). What do you think about it and can you provide me with a justification (please don't use the usual, most people that race their dogs treat them very well rubbish, it is ALL about the money, just like certain areas of Crufts is about the cosmetic appearance of the dog). I welcome your oinion on this matter. I think greyhound racing should be banned (as the Grand National should). Thanks to everyone who has answered so far, there are some great informative educating answers in here. I appreciate and take on board what everyone has said. To the person who mentioned couch ornament, no dog of mine would ever be treated in this way (greyhound or not), all dogs need exercise. I just don't agree with the conditions these dogs live in. 'Force', if a dog is trained to do something, it will do it.

Public Comments

Whilst the dogs aren't exactly treated well -- their main purpose is/was to run after prey for hunters. So while they're running after that dummy ball/toy that's in front of them -- they *are* doing what they were bred to do [in a half sense]. Either way. I don't agree with it either. But if the dog actually loves to race, and is being treated excellently -- then let it race.
i dont think there is anything wrong with the sport i live in kansas outside of the greyhound association and theres nothing wrong let me guess your against horse racing too huh??? what the big deal its not like theyre abused or anything they are very well takin care of animals around my parts!!
I HATE IT.
Put a hare in front of a greyhound and see if it runs? If they didn't want to run, they wouldn't, they are not forced to, they are a sighthound, therefore they chase things that move, they LOVE to. I am not disagreeing that some aspect of racing can be cruel BUT there are good loving owners who treat their racers well, not all are bad. I feel your post is a little un-educated, for a start, Greyhounds do not have high levels of stamina at all, they have short bursts of energy.
NO! This is very sad, racing just to make money!
Yes go on ban everything, why don't you! If you don't like greyhound racing or horse racing or anything else, then don't watch it. Thats your choice. You have no right to stop anyone else enjoying whatever they want to do however. And while we are talking about banning things, football has caused more deaths than any other sport yet no-one talks about banning that.
Of course greyhound racing is about money...everything boils down to money...in the end. I agree with you when you talk about the dreadful ways greyhounds are treated when they no longer are of ay use. I have 3 rescued greyhounds and we work with our local re homing centre. My husband walks dogs and we support them, they do a wonderful job, I do take exception to what you say about them running though, my dogs love nothing more than to be let loose in a field and run to their hearts content, The difference is, they are not forced to run now day after day without respite. These are beautiful dogs who are really quite lazy in that they love to lie around most of the day (I say this as my three are all asleep on the floor around my feet).
Actually, I agree with most of what you've said with one exception - greyhounds DO love to run. Greyhounds were bred to run for many, many years before they were used as racing dogs to make money for people, running (and hunting) and inherent to their nature. The racing greyhounds are bred by kennels that breed specifically for racing. Those very few greyhound breeders have long waiting lists for their puppies simply because there's so few of them - and their dogs never become racers. But I am in no way justifying greyhound racing, I've been behind the scenes at a track, I've got a greyhound who's full of scars and older greys who are now feeling the affects of being in collisions during a race, then raced again the following week. Greyhound racing has been abolished in several states already and more will follow suit as people become better educated. But greyhounds love to run and need to be able to do it, just not in a venue designed to make money for people. They also love lure coursing just for fun.
Dog and horse racing are like cigarettes - they are never going to go away because there is too much money made on them, despite what harm is caused. I believe that the only possible answer is to have more focus on the welfare of the animals. Most of them do not even make it to the course, a complicated issue in itself. Perhaps nurturing an attitude of "care for your investments" may help. If less than scrupulous owners see the financial benefits of proper welfare, then they may be inclined to put in more effort.
"I feel this is absolute rubbish, just because they can run fast doesn't mean they want to or should" Actually, that's exactly what it means. There is nothing more wonderful than watching a dog do what it was developed to do. And there is no dog happier than a dog doing what it was bred to do. Say what you want about the rest of it -- in those few moments when a Greyhound is running down the track, the dog is purely happy. If it didn't want to run, it would never make it to the track in the first place. Now, as for the rest -- any time money comes into an animal-related sport, the animal tends to suffer. I can't support Greyhound racing for the same reasons I can't support horse racing. Too many drugs used to mask bad breeding practices, and too little concern for the long-term welfare of the animal. But I don't think the breed should be reduced to the status of oversized couch ornament, either. If you're not going to lure course or hunt with them, you shouldn't be breeding them.
I'm not getting into this (particularly the reference to Crufts here) - suffice to say I am against any form of animal abuse. But that's all I'm against. I would just like to say that there are a great many people out there, not necessarily the person who asked this question I hasten to add, who form an opinion without having any first hand experience with what they are objecting to.
I agree with a great deal that has been said already. Most racing greyhound kennels ARE in it for the money and the dogs are not treated the way I believe they should be. Conditions have improved over the years due to tighter regulations. But when money is more important than the care of the animal, then that is a major problem. That said, however, my question is this, if greyhound racing is banned, what will happen to the thousands of dogs who will essentially be "out of a job"? There are definitely not enough homes to go around now for those who are no longer racing, so what will happen to those not already in rescue? If we want the sport to stop, then we need solutions for the placement of these animals.
Anyone that thinks racing greyhounds is harmless should do some research on it. http://www.hsus.org/pets/issues_affecting_our_pets/running_for_their_lives_the_realities_of_greyhound_racing/ http://www.gcnm.org/public.html http://www.lobsa.org/Greyhounds.htm
I wouldn't have a problem with racing besides the fact that the only time the dogs are allowed to lay or sit down is to go to sleep to raise "stamina" and it takes time to get retired dogs to break all the habits from racing like the sitting down thing
I think it's HORRIBLE, poor dogs are extremely mistreated, Greyhounds do love running, but they don't like being cooped up in small cages not being treated properly. Massachusetts just voted to ban it and we are closing the race track next year and I am SO happy!
You've obviously *zero* research except for sitting in front of a monitor & reading the swill that agrees w/your ignorance & prejudice. This is proven by the blatant lies & wild imagination in your ranting. G-hounds ***DO***"love to run"-selectively bred for thousands of years to LOVE & EXCEL at it. They do *NOT* have the highest stamina-salukis are the champs in that category.G-hounds are faster for SHORTER distances. Your ANTHROPOMORPHIZING about the dog "freaking out"....never considered that it was DESPERATE TO ***GO***??? G-hound CAN be bought from reputable breeders!!!!! Racing people do ****NOT**** want show-stuff=it's USELESS to them! Show *&* racing breeders DO sell their culls to civilians as pets! "Cosmetic appearnace" is the RESULT of SELECTIVE BREEDING TO A JOB! FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION!!!! Don't want a g-hound? Don't buy one! Don't want a T0B race horse? DON'T BUY ONE! Don't want a bulldog,a peke, a collie.........DON'T BUY ONE!!! You *****CAN'T***** "force a dog to run....or fight or hunt or pull or flush or track or ANYTHING.....if they're lucky,you ALLOW it! You CAN'T "train" a dog to run...you CONDITION it to be in TOP health & ability to do what it LOVES! I've hunted behind a G-hound cross lurcher & a whippet(besides dozens of terriers).They LOVE it....they'd rather hunt than eat. That NATURAL...not "forced"...not "trained"...they only improve w/practice. I'm ALWAYS & COMPLETELY against any & all attempts by the ignorant bigots trying to tell *ME* what to buy,do,attend,or enjoy.....
I only disagree with the racing because it is very hard on the animals body. Horses are retired and put down way before their time because they were raced too long and too hard. Same thing with greyhounds. Yes, both types of animals love to run but they are being forced to do it over and over and over again and it causes major health problems and joint problems.
I strongly disagree with it we used to run a greyhound trust from our kennels we had some very sad dogs come in I think it should be stopped !!!
NO! did you no that after the dogs cant race anymore they get SHOT! how sad!
The greyhound racing industry is to a large extent getting a bad rap - yes there have been abusing owners and there have been EVEN MORE abusing PET homes. Much of the supposed normal ill treatment CAN'T be true - take a starved, never allowed outta crate dog & put it against a well fed,well exercised dog the well fed one will win every time! Means people trying to win GOTTA feed & excersise (and yeah I know a track former track dog walker) Carrier end is not always kind but don't believe everything you hear! I go the amateur race meets & lure trials and the dogs are WILDLY ecstatic, will escape x-pens, squeeze through narrow holes, yank leashes outta hands to get onto that running field. You actually CAN'T MAKE a dog run - and yes I HAVE seen them refuse to go. (and nothing happens to the dog) One woman in my area had an older dog that she actually ASKED if the dog wanted to run. Before the start of the meet she would walk dog onto field, if she pulled toward the action she wanted to (and did) run, if she pulled back toward van she got to go back to van on a cushy bed for the day.... PS. Funny I've HAD Greyhound puppies offered to me - if you can't find one you must have spent 3.2 seconds research (its not like petland gets them shipped in by dozens like yorkies but any other uncommon breed is the same! Edit: I spent 3.2 second research- NINE litters listed for sale (some for no more than a cockapoo at petland) on the NGA page -- now I KNOW how much research you did!
Hello. I totally agree with most of what you have said. However, I believe Greyhounds like to exercise (run) but they should never be forced to do so! And the fact that some old, retired Greyhounds get abandoned is a disgrace; like they are not needed/wanted anymore because they're too old to run fast :( I am personally against Greyhound racing. My opinion. x
Greyhound racing I do not have a problem with. It's the way its done that I have a problem with. If Greyhound racing was done by people who love their dogs and who participate in it as a sport like field trials, agility, dirt dog, herding, or any other sport of the like - I think it would be awesome. (much like lure coursing is right now) Greyhound racing, as it stands today, is not only not any fun - its often (not always) cruel, inhumane, and a damn stupid way to throw away money. (betting) I cannot condone anyone who keeps a dog simply for the sake of making money off them, but I do think that many, many dogs can and do enjoy the actual racing. (the way many racers are kept in their "off" time is what I have a problem with)
No, I don't. Lots of puppies are killed because they don't have enough drive to race. A lot of dogs are injured before they even start commercial racing, so are killed. Many dogs get seriously injured on the tracks. Not all tracks have a vet on call, so the suffering they endure is immense (and avoidable). Greyhounds are very fragile, sensitive dogs. When they're considered no longer useful they are killed, dumped or passed on to a rescue to sort out the racers' mess. Not many people want to adopt a dog that has been *trained* to chase small furry things. I will never agree with greyhound racing. If you love dogs, don't support racing. With the THOUSANDS of deaths it is responsible for, the industry is a great big killfest.
i disagree, as i suspet will many others, for 20 years weve had trained and used lurchers, greyhound crosses... they not only love to run, they love to chase rabbit, hares and deer... which is funny, because once they have it, they have no idea what to do with it... we never ever taught them to kill and return.. these dogs are family pets... as are greyhounds, and rabid rottweillers and psychotic staffys... its owners who do the teaching and its sadly the same owners who ought to be banned from keeping a dog. dogs chase game the same way that cats chase prey... its instinct.
my neighbour had a working greyhound and the dog loved it, but they had a very strict training and eating regime that they followed.once the dog retired he became a normal family pet except for the fact they walked him at least 6 times a day lol
i have never been to a track, but dogs do love to run, but i dont think it is fair on the dog, because once they have had there running days they are rehomed, that i dont agree with. But think this is one of those question where everyone will disagree with, same as dog showing. Are the dogs mistreated to make them run faster, i have no idea, never been and dont no much about it. What i have seen i wouldn't put my greyhound in one, if i had one of course!