Greyhound Racing continues to be a growing business but I bet not many of you know everything about this sport. In this article, I’ve tried to cover all the major topics that might be interesting to those of you who like this type of racing and want to know more about the breed, the history and the racing.
The Egypt Connection
The roots of the origin of the greyhound dog breed can be traced in many countries, including Ancient Greece and Rome. In ancient Egypt, the ancestors of the greyhounds were so popular with the royals that often a birth of a dog was second of importance to the birth of a son. The dogs were adored and admired for their grace, elegance and loyalty so that some greyhounds were found mummified next to the pharaohs. Some of the most popular owners of this dog were Cleopatra and King Tutankhamen.
How Did Greyhound Racing Start?
Greyhound racing can be traced back to Roman times. A story tells that Diana, the huntress, was one of the first greyhound admirers. It’s believed that she owned a greyhound, named Lelaps. The dog once chased a hare which was favoured by the Gods, so both the dog and the hare were turned into stones. It is also believed that the Romans were the ones who first introduced greyhound racing to Britain. It became a competitive sport as late as the 16th century when two dogs were set against one another in a race.
The first official coursing was held in Norfolk, England in 1776, when two dogs chased a single hare. In 1837, a coursing tournament was established, where 6 dogs were chasing an artificial hare along a single track.
Are the Greyhounds Really Grey?
No. The colour of the greyhounds is usually either fawn or black, nothing between the two colours. The reasons why the hounds were called ‘grey’ can be traced back in the history. There are some theories on how these dogs become popular as ‘greyhounds’. It is believed that the ancient Greeks may have called them ‘greekhounds’ or even ‘gazehounds’ because the dogs rely on their sight, rather than smell when hunting.
Yes, Greyhounds Enjoy Racing!
The majority of the dogs have inner instincts of chasing other animals. Being so muscular and graceful, greyhounds really enjoy racing and the excitement can be seen in their eyes. There’s a common misunderstanding that greyhounds are forced to run. Greyhounds love running and enjoy racing and actually they’re one of the rare breeds that is able to enjoy what they have evolved to do. Plus, the fact that greyhounds are chasing mechanical hares comes as a supporting evidence that greyhounds chase just to derive some pleasure and not for their killing instinct.
What Are the Muzzles Used for?
The greyhounds wear muzzles for two reasons. Firstly, while they’re racing it helps to determine the outcome of the race in a photo finish. Also, the muzzles are used as a precaution against any injuries and are used to protect them while running.
Is the Race Safe for the Animals?
Yes, absolutely. The racing tournaments have been monitored by qualified veterinary surgeons, who carefully check the health condition of each dog before starting a race. Furthermore, all precautions are taken to ensure that if the animals get injured while running, they would receive immediate and appropriate help. The majority of the injuries are minor, so it doesn’t take too long for them to get back on track.
Did you know that greyhound racing dates back to Egypt, where royalty were the owners of this special breed? Later on, the Romans were the ones who introduced this special dog race to Britain. The first recorded attempt at greyhound racing was back in 1876 in Hendon, England. The race was a complete fiasco, especially as a real hare was used for bait which provoked the animal defenders.