Just a little "FYI" here... the bare butt thing.. isn't related at all to the "time spent in a kennel". It has more to do with severalother factors. One being that Greys, on average, have lower thyroid levels than do other dogs. Secondly, as is the case with my Greyhound, when they are finished with a race, their handlers will rub them down with a linament i.e. icy hot or ben gay or sportcreme. Try rubbing that stuff on YOUR butt and see how much hair you've got left

As far as it being a "sick" sport... Good Lord... I'm sitting here reading my hounds Career History report that I just obtained. She had 59 races in her short career (a season and a half). Not counting her final race, her last 5 races she finished 2nd three times, won once, and came in 7th in another. She was a high level Stakes racer at one of the most competive tracks in the country. She was making her owners and plenty of parimutal bettors plenty of money. However, in her last race, she did not finish. I have no idea why, but, it's safe to assume that something physically happened to her that she wasn't able to recover from. Now, don't any of you "It sickens me" types think that a dog who was winning so many people so much money would've been rehabbed and put back on the track to continue if this was such an inherently cruel sport?

I'm not here to bicker, flame or demean anyone... I'd just hope that our experiences are considered before judgements are made. I'd also humbly submit that one should visit a track for nothing more than to see the sheer JOY these dogs get from running... Believe me... playing "flyball" is not what these hounds are meant for...

Originally posted by KBlaix
I live just a short ways (about an hour and a half) from Daytona where they have greyhound racing. I have seen several dogs from off the track that have retired due to injury. A broken leg is certainly not uncommon. At the boarding facility I work at we board several retired greyhounds from the track and they ALL (and I do mean all) have bear butts from being in crates for such long periods of time. Also my best friend has been talking to greyhound rescue about adopting one from the track, and she probably will be soon. She seen and heard some horrible things that these dogs have been through. I am for one totally 100% against dog racing, it's a sick sport. If they love their dog and want them to run they can put them agility classes and keep them off the track.



I agree completely.