How to Race Greyhounds

By eHow Sports & Fitness Editor

Rate: (3 Ratings)

The sport of greyhound racing can be exciting, fun and profitable for participants. There are several things to consider when entering the sport as a newcomer. You can do it alone or find friends to partner with as you race greyhounds. Read on to learn more.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Step 1

Talk to the racing manager at a racetrack you are interested in. He will be able to provide information about buying your own greyhound. You can get names and phone numbers of breeders. Find out all you can about the breeder's success. Get advice before you buy a greyhound, especially if your knowledge is limited about the breed. The sport requires a quality greyhound. The racetrack can put you in touch with experienced owners who can help you make an informed decision.
Step 2

Learn the pros and cons of buying a puppy versus an older dog when preparing to race greyhounds. A puppy is the cheapest, but has an uncertain future. If you buy at an auction, you'll get to see pups run a trial race. Then you'll see which ones have the fight in them to chase the hare. Older greyhounds are available for sale at higher prices. Price can vary greatly. Puppies can cost $500 to $1000. An already successful racing greyhound can cost up to $20,000.
Step 3

Check prices of kennels contracted by the racetrack to race greyhounds. Owners are either breeders or they purchase greyhounds from breeders. When pups are trained and ready to race, they are leased to kennels. Most kennels charge a monthly fee to raise and train. Fees usually range from $80 to $120 per month.
Step 4

Register your greyhound with the National Greyhound Association when he is ready to race. The cost is usually $30. You'll also need a state racing license. License fees usually range from $25 to $75.
Step 5

Sign a lease with the kennel you've chosen. Make sure the lease provides for the timely payment of winning commissions. Most pay 35 to 50 percent of the winning purse for a race. Make sure your lease has a termination clause in case you are not satisfied with the services of the kennel.

Comments

lacefullone said

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on 4/14/2008 Tucson Greyhound Racing--
Hope your dog won. The others are dead.

on 4/14/2008 (continued)I didn't realize was so long...
-what if you buy a dog and it "don't run so good?"
-culling litters (killing puppies and young dogs)
-move your dog to less desirable tracks (as she ages out or gets slower) where the track is poorly maintained and your dog breaks it's back and has to be put down. Or breaks it's leg and though it can be fixed and petted out, you kill it anyway because it's easier and cheaper.
-what if your dog gets e-coli poisoning from eating 4-D rotton meat at the kennel you chose and has to die???
-What if you don't want to keep her after you race her, what if you have lots...you can't keep all your hounds???
-What if there are no homes for them? What if you have to kill the dog that you exploited and now no longer can use???

There are so many tips and warnings that you have left out- Greyhound racing is a dying sport, especially for the gre

on 4/14/2008 Unbelievable! An e-how on how to exploit an animal and join an industry where 10,000+ a year of these gentle dogs are killed a year in the US. You must be from Tucson, and I can't imagine that you don't know of the dark side of Tucson Greyhound Park.Shrouded in scandal, missing dogs, dogs euthanized for no reason. Graveyards in the desert, it's a horror show.
PS I'm amused that it is "moderately challenging" to join in on the abuse!
Why not tell people to adopt one of TGP's 100+ a month cast-offs: http://www.azgreyhoundrescue.org/
http://www.gpa-az.com/
http://www.galgreys.com/
http://www.greyhounds2go.org/index.html
These groups try and save them, while you are asking people to add to the problem. I noticed in your artice, you don't adress the issue of:
-what if you buy a dog and it "don't run so good?"
-culling litters (killing puppies and