A Beginner’s Guide To Greyhound Racing
The first greyhound racing tracks in the United States were introduced in the 1920s but it wasn’t until the 1930s that the Americans began betting on dog races. Meanwhile, the first modern greyhound race in Great Britain was held at Belle Vue Stadium on July 24, 1926.
The race was watched by 1,700 people and seven greyhounds raced around an oval track to capture an electric fake hare. To make it easier to bet in these events, the basic mechanics of horse race betting was used.
However, even in places where greyhound racing is still allowed, the sport’s earnings have dropped significantly over the last few years in both the United Kingdom and the United States. Nevertheless, greyhound racing is still popular in both countries.
Since greyhound racing is slowly rising to fame in other countries, premier greyhound racing takes the events to a whole new level. With premier greyhound racing, viewers can enjoy a more thrilling race that is safe for both the racing dogs and their audience.
Basic terms
Greyhound racing, like horse racing, uses several terms and jargon. To help you understand more, here are some of the most commonly used terminology in greyhound betting:
Meetings
When it comes to greyhound racing, a ‘meeting’ refers to any part of a race that has been scheduled in advance and will take place at a certain track. The rules and regulations of the nation or state where a conference is being conducted should always be observed.
Distance
Before a meeting is finalised, the location is another factor to consider. The race’s length is determined by the event’s category. Typically, races are run over a distance of 600 yards. However, this can vary greatly depending on the location and the size of the event.
Age
A greyhound is eligible to race at 18 months old. To run a greyhound racetrack legally, most jurisdictions demand a minimum of 500 to 1,000 hounds to be present at each race. Four to five years is the designated retirement age for greyhounds.
Grades
A, B, C, D, J, and M are the six greyhound grades in which each dog is ranked. For a greyhound to achieve Grade A, it must win at least one race in each of the other grades.
Countries where greyhound racing is popular
Greyhound racing is only legal in eight countries; Australia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, the United States of America, China, Mexico and Vietnam. However, it only became a popular form of betting in some nations, including Australia, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
FAQs about greyhound racing
Since greyhound racing is still growing in popularity, it is not uncommon to have some questions about it. Here are the answers to some of the frequently asked questions:
- Is the lifespan of racing greyhounds much shorter than non-racing greyhounds?
No. Whether they race or not, greyhounds have rich and fulfilling lives.
- How long do greyhounds race for?
Greyhounds can live anywhere from 18 months to four and a half years in racing. They get adopted or rehomed when their racing career ends.
- Do greyhound owners drug their dogs?
No. Racing is drug-free. When there is a positive test on the dog, it will be handled according to legislation, and drug testing facilities are highly stringent about their procedures.
With various premier greyhound racing events that take place in some major countries, fans of greyhound racing can look forward to more exciting and fun greyhound racing in the following years to come.
