Spotlight on Greyhounds: Immoral Racing and How to Help

Greyhounds are majestic and funky-looking doggies, but sadly, people can be jerks and these dogs are often subject to the horrid practices and abuse through dog racing for money. Here’s an article about the culture around greyhounds and how you can get your hands on one of these gorgeous puppers!

General Greyhound Knowledge

Greyhounds are relatively easy pets to have and take care of. Known as “The World’s Fastest Couch Potato,” despite the incredible speed of these dogs, they are actually pretty lazy and enjoy hanging out casually with you. However, it’s good if their owners can let them run around in an enclosed space, because they have a very high prey drive and may chase any rabbit or other prey animal they see. These dogs are known for their sleek and graceful physique, as well as their very high bellies and comparatively lower chests. They originated in Egypt, likely bred for their hunting.

The Inhumane Practice of Greyhound Racing.

Even before the race, these dogs were treated terribly. They are overbred and sometimes given tattoos on their bodies of their registration number and date or other identifying data such as that. Puppies have been known to disappear from records, as well as adult dogs. These dogs are often culled, or they are injured or die in racing from falls and crashes, as well as inhumane treatment. They are kept in kennels and confined spaces, and are often allowed very little exercise, if any. These kennels are inspected only twice a year, with really vague guidelines. They have been found dead and malnourished, with bite marks as well as worms or diseases. They are also fed unhealthy and raw meats, that can be contaminated. Greyhound racing is a terrible practice that needs to be stopped.

How To Help

If you want to help greyhounds in need, consider adopting from a rescue organization or if you can’t do that but still want to help, you can donate to a rescue organization as well. If you want a greyhound, although you could probably find a reputable breeder, although it would be helpful if you could adopt from a rescue organization to help the dogs in need. If you are looking to adopt a dog racing survivor, I would recommend going to Greyhound Pets Inc. and seeing if any of the dogs suit your lifestyle. You could also volunteer at a greyhound rescue place if you want to help, but don’t have the money or the space for a dog.

How To Care For a Greyhound 

Greyhounds have relatively short coats, so you will not have to groom them very often. They are very gentle and friendly dogs, who are good with children and other dogs. Because of their unusual shape, they may need some extra support such as a raised food and water dish because of their height, or specialized collars because of the unusual shape of their neck. They need an enclosed space to run, with high fences (min height 5 ft, according to Greyhound Pets Inc.), so that they can’t jump the fence, or get hurt trying. These dogs are pretty laid back, and can be a good relaxing dog as long as they have a chance to run every day.

I hope you have learned something new about greyhounds. If you’re still interested in these cuties, feel free to check out the sources linked below. This has been Clara’s Doggy Dictionary, see you next time!

(Special thanks to my awesome editor Evie Courtney)

Greyhound

https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/greyhound-racing

https://www.grey2kusa.org/index.php

Greyhound care and training

https://www.thesprucepets.com/greyhound-dog-breed-1117972