Breed Origins
The origin of the greyhound
is deeply rooted in ancient history. Murals and paintings of dogs
strikingly similar to today's greyhound existed over 4,000 years
ago.
Egypt
From the beginning, the greyhound
was held in high regard, as evidenced by pictures etched on the
walls of ancient Egyptian tombs. Pharaohs rated them first among
all animals, both as pets and hunters.
Arab Nations
The Arabs so admired the
physical attributes and speed of the greyhound that it was the
only dog permitted to share their tents and ride atop their camels.
In early Arabian culture, the birth of a greyhound ranked second
only in importance to the birth of a son.
Persia, Rome & Greece
The greyhound enjoyed similar
stature and is the only canine mentioned in Holy Scripture
(Proverbs 30:29-31).
Europe
It is documented that the
greyhound arrived in England over 3,500 years ago. Their link
with nobility was established in 1014 when King Canute enacted
the Forest Laws, which stated that only noblemen could own and
hunt with greyhounds.
The Forest Laws
The Forest Laws were abolished
in the 1500s by Queen Elizabeth I, who later initiated the first
formal rules of greyhound coursing (the pursuit of hares), thus
officially inaugurating the "Sport of Queens".
Coming to America
In the late 1800s, the greyhound
was imported to America to help Midwestern farmers control the
jackrabbit, a noted crop destroyer. With the advent of the greyhound
in America, coursing events soon followed.
Born to Run
History has proven that the greyhound is an animal born to run. Originally hunting dogs because of their speed, greyhounds are born to run. To run and hunt by sight is the fulfillment of a greyhound's basic instinct.
CHARACTERISTICS
Greyhounds by nature are gentle and have always had a strong relationship with humans. The breeding and training of greyhounds is an extension of the human/animal relationship established thousands of years ago.
The Start of Organized Racing
Greyhound track racing, as
we know it today, began with Owen Patrick Smith's invention of
a mechanical lure around 1912, which made racing around a circular
track possible. The first circular track opened in 1919 in Emeryville,
California. Although this track was not very successful, it paved
the way for the development of the greyhound racing industry in
America.
Raising Greyhounds Today
A racing greyhound begins its life after a gestation period of about 60 days, and litters generally range from five to nine pups. At birth, it will weigh from three-quarters to one and three-quarters pounds, growing to a normal size of between 65 and 75 pounds in approximately one year.
Except for size, the adult males and females of the same litter may appear identical, but sex, size and color have nothing to do with their speed.
After two months, a greyhound is placed in a run to begin exercising its legs. A normal breeding farm, a pup's home for its first year, consists of stud dog quarters, brood bitch quarters, whelping kennels, puppy quarters, exercise yards and kennel runs of various sizes.
When a pup
is three months old, it is given an identifying tattoo. An owner
must register a greyhound with the National Greyhound Association
in Abilene, Kansas. With the registration papers, a name--with no
more than 16 characters--is submitted. Unless these procedures are
followed, a greyhound will not be permitted to race.
KENNEL ENVIRONMENT
Generally between 14 and 16 months of age, sufficient training has been completed and a greyhound is placed in a racing kennel to begin qualification for a racing career.
Each kennel has a trainer who is responsible for its care. Usually each kennel is kept together, kenneled under one roof. A trainer could have up to 40 racing greyhounds in his charge and attends to all their needs. The trainer will know each greyhound by name and affectionately describes them by their individual characteristics. A greyhound, like any other good athlete, is extremely well cared for by its trainer.
Retirement
The ideal ending
to a greyhound's racing career is the opportunity to retire and
live out their lives as a family pet.
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