A day at the track!

[Suki Wingy]

Wow. Those dogs are simply aw inspiring, same as the racing thoroughbreds. They make me go

[anna_66]

Such awesome pictures! They are truly magnificant dogs.

[GreyhoundDaddy]

Ok, here's the deal. I apologize for going off half cocked. But, when you walk in my shoes as an adopter and racing owner, then you might think differently.

I'm not going to get into a whole debate about the pro's and con's about racing.. there are many on both sides. But, it's been MY first hand experience, that racing isn't as bad as it's painted out to be. There are a good many people who do wonderfully by their racers.. far more than don't I might add.

I'm not looing at the racing world through rose colored glasses... nor are those who are in support of racing. There are indeed bad apples out there and they are the ones that we ALL have to work on changing their mindset.

Greyhound adoption is a relatively new phenomenae. Not long ago, racing owners had no idea people would want their hounds as pets. But, with the advent of the internet and adoption groups throughout the country, racing owners are coming around. What has to be kept in mind too is that A LOT of the breeders out there are off in the middle of the country where perhaps for them getting on the internet isn't a priority. Raising their hounds is.. and belive me.... running a greyhound farm or an active racing kennel leaves very little time for things outside of the care of the dogs.

Again, I apologize for snapping and/or lashing out at those who expressed a differing opinion.. I should've taken the opportunity to help shed light on things as opposed to getting snotty. I'd be GLAD to help dispell or confirm things folks have heard... if they're interested that is.

[K9soul]

Post much appreciated GD . Like I said, I certainly understand your frustration, standing in your shoes. I think Martin or someone should take all the information I've seen him share and make a web page or FAQ page with it that all you involved in racing, whether it be participating in or supporting it, can link or quote from that explains the other side and directly refutes some of the information floating around out there. He writes so eloquently and does such an excellent job explaining the pro-racing stance from what I've seen reading his past posts here, his posts on GT, and a few PM dicussions. That way every time these things come up on whatever forum you are on, you'd have something you could direct people to so you didn't have to try and explain everything each time. What you are saying about there being responsible people in racing as well as some bad apples makes sense to me, and is true of many human/animal related sports and activities.

[wolfsoul]

Great pics! We don't have tracks here -- maybe there aren't any in Canada; but I do look forward to seeing the lure chasing that goes on in my province.

I believe that there are good sides and bad sides to every dog sport. I believe that people bidding on dogs and horses and whatnot is a bad idea because it encourages people to have dogs only to make profit. I do support racing though -- racing and sledding are no different. It's dogs having fun and doing what they're bred to do. The thrill of the race, good exercise, all that jazz. You can make profit in any dog sport. You can get up to $10,000 in ACA agility. There's a conformation show coming up nearby here, and the prize for BIS is $10,000. Is every dog sport bad? Agility, conformation, flyball, dock diving, retrieving, herding, baying, treeing, sledding, ETC? Because there are cash prizes in many of these events and therefore might encourage people to do it only for money. I am a believer that the majority of people are involved in such activities for their dog/breed.

[Vette]

What are those funky muzzle looking things for,, do they try to bite each other while running,, or does it keep mud and stuff off their nose and face?

very pretty dogs and great pictures!

[Toby's my baby]

Wow! Awsome pictures!

I absolutly love greyhounds. My brother adopted two, retired greyhounds, and they are absoluly stunning! I hope I can have one of my own someday.... -sigh-

[sandragonfly]

well folks,

I never wanted to post something to make this thread worse at all as I was stating the facts. in my first post without thinking you meant to harm them, and found it was just illegal then I felt stupid. and wanted share what I feel about seeing those photos since they were in this thread. in someway I still think it'd be good to share our opinions nicely so we can learn something new or more around here. just like me..

unlikely the others who think we shouldn't say a thing, avoid...those photos would just come in still, continue upsetting some of us. but this happened then the last of your, greyhoundaddy's post, wouldn't be here for us to understand you more, your good side. and thank you greyhoundaddy, I'd prefer to hear your side. I feel a little better now.

[wolfsoul]

Originally posted by Vette
What are those funky muzzle looking things for,, do they try to bite each other while running,, or does it keep mud and stuff off their nose and face?

It's just so they don't bite eachother when they run.

[GreyhoundDaddy]

Originally posted by Vette
What are those funky muzzle looking things for,, do they try to bite each other while running,, or does it keep mud and stuff off their nose and face?

very pretty dogs and great pictures!

The muzzles they are wearing are standard racing muzzles that are used in the US and Mexico.

while racing, their instinct (and training) is to chase the lure, not to attack or fight with dogs they are racing with. Though the muzzles do offer a bit of protection from any bites they are used primarily for photo-finishes.

[wolfsoul]

That's interesting -- I've heard that some dogs are particularly competitive and may bite another dog and that that is the main reason for the muzzles. Although I have only seen one lure chasing event in "real life" and no fights broke out, and the dogs never even wore muzzles.

[delidog]

Greyhound Dad..
Sorry this became an Unpleasant Experience...I LOVE your Photos and Your Dogs!!!
I worked in Thoroughbred Racing and Show Jumping for Years..Let me Think...San Diego...Hap Hansen???
World Cup?? San Diego Park??
I know that One goes Into the Business for the Love of the Animal.....But When All is Said and Done...It is Still a Business.
People Like You & I know How to Seperate the Two...
We also Know that there are Bad Eggs out there that give a Good Business a Bad Name....and so it goes...
If Everybody Knew What it Takes to get to The Kentucky Derby...or The Triple Crown....There would Be No Racing...
But that is the Thrill of it!!!!
Really Being the Best of the Best...Legitimately!!! Makes it All Worth While!!!!
Please Keep Posting Pics of Your Beautiful Athletes!!!!
The Magnificent Greyhounds!!!!

[Vette]

Oh! thanks GreyhoundDaddy.
i never would have guessed that that.

though i didnt think they were biters either.
when not raceing,, do they get along with other dogs and animals of all sizes?

i havent had the pleasure to meet on in person.
but would love to have one day. i seem to have taken a real likeing to dog breeds with funky body structures.

[GreyhoundDaddy]

Originally posted by wolfsoul
That's interesting -- I've heard that some dogs are particularly competitive and may bite another dog and that that is the main reason for the muzzles. Although I have only seen one lure chasing event in "real life" and no fights broke out, and the dogs never even wore muzzles.

Well, I'm here to help dispell rumors

If a hound is particularly disruptive during a race s/he will get what's called an 'interference line'. If s/he get's 3 of these lines, it is not permitted to race.. ANYWHERE and is put into adoption.

It's not always a sign of aggression either. Some hounds are just downright playful and goofy.. and have no real interest in racing. so when they are out running and there are others out there with them, they might see that as an opportunity to 'play'.

Go to a dogpark (as I'm sure you have)... and see how dogs of all different breeds interact with one another... they snap at, nip at, lunge at each other and the VAST majority of the time there's no harm done.

[GreyhoundDaddy]

Vette,

Greyhounds are like any other dog... just faster They all have their own distinct personalities. Some get along just fine with other pets... cats, rats, ferrats, small dogs, big dogs... whatever.

Some, too cannot be left alone with other pets...If someone is going to adopt, it's the responsibility of the adoption representative to take into account the prospective adopters living situation and find a hound that is best suited for him/her.