Greyhounds
Greyhounds – History
As far back as 6,000 B.C., Greyhound-like dogs were used for hunting in Turkey. The Greeks and Romans also hunted with Greyhounds and these dogs were prized for their speed and hunting skills.
Greyhounds are sight hounds, this means they hunt primarily by sight rather than by scent. Borzois, Irish Wolfhounds and Afghan Hounds are also sight hounds.
Lurchers, which are commonly seen in Ireland, are a cross of any sight hound. In the 11th Century king Canute decreed that commoners could not own a Greyhound and for centuries Greyhounds were valued by the nobility.
Greyhounds were used in competition or sport as far back as 4,000 B.C. Coursing breeds were developed in the Middle East and codes of practice for the sport were written in the 2nd century A.D. In Britain, coursing was first conducted under established rules in the 16th century.
During the 18th century, Lord Orford developed a faster Greyhound. The first coursing club was established at Swaffham in 1776 while the National Coursing Club was set up in 1858.
Greyhounds were also seen in the show ring. In 1885, Greyhounds were seen in the show ring. In 1885 the first Greyhounds were registered with the American Kennel Club.
Greyhound Racing
The Irish Coursing Club (ICC) was founded in 1916 followed by the Irish Greyhound Board (IGB) in 1958. Belfast saw the opening of the first Greyhound track in 1927.
Unfortunately over the years there has been a failure on the part of the industry to control the number of dogs being bred. There is also a failure to make owners and breeders responsible for their dogs although there have been moves to improve this more recently.
Ultimately many of the dogs produced are not fast enough to make the grade and a lot of young dogs are destroyed.
Estimate of 10,000 or more dogs are thought to be killed every year. This is unacceptable for an industry that is partly financed from public funds. Almost 1,000 Greyhounds entered Irish pounds in 2010 and 672 were killed. These dogs are treated as little more than commodities and certainly not as companion animals.
Greyhounds as pets
While racing is in their genes, greyhounds are companion dogs. They are known to get quickly attached to their owners. Their lack of body fat and sensitive skin means they should not be exposed to rough environments. They are indoor dogs and thrive on being pampered.
Like most dogs, Greyhounds generally live for 12 to 15 years. For the first years of their lives, they tend to race. Retired racers are sometimes put up for adoption.
These ‘low maintenance’ dogs need minimal grooming and low to moderate exercise. Greyhounds can, in fact, be couch potatoes. They require the same amount of exercise as other dogs – a walk once or twice daily and somewhere to run weekly.
Most Greyhounds can be homed an almost any situation however some a bit 'keen' and are not suitable to be homed with cats or small animals as they may chase them. Others don't seem to mind at all.
A breed under threat?
Like other dogs, greyhounds have been effected by the economic downturn. In early 2011, the IGB considered ‘exporting’ Irish greyhounds to China to boost revenues. However, the idea was shelved after strong opposition by animal welfare groups from Ireland and abroad.
Greyhounds cannot be exported legally to China at present as no welfare agreement exists between the two countries. This is something ANVIL would be totally opposed to an it is something we will be monitoring.
Solutions
The Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011 will go some way to improve the protection of greyhounds. The Act puts an onus on greyhound owners and breeders to provide for greyhounds adequately.
A greyhound bitch cannot be used for breeding purposes until she is 15 months old. She can have no more than six litters in her life. There will also be a register of greyhound breeders.
The Bill is a step in the right direction.
As far back as 6,000 B.C., Greyhound-like dogs were used for hunting in Turkey. The Greeks and Romans also hunted with Greyhounds and these dogs were prized for their speed and hunting skills.
Greyhounds are sight hounds, this means they hunt primarily by sight rather than by scent. Borzois, Irish Wolfhounds and Afghan Hounds are also sight hounds.
Lurchers, which are commonly seen in Ireland, are a cross of any sight hound. In the 11th Century king Canute decreed that commoners could not own a Greyhound and for centuries Greyhounds were valued by the nobility.
Greyhounds were used in competition or sport as far back as 4,000 B.C. Coursing breeds were developed in the Middle East and codes of practice for the sport were written in the 2nd century A.D. In Britain, coursing was first conducted under established rules in the 16th century.
During the 18th century, Lord Orford developed a faster Greyhound. The first coursing club was established at Swaffham in 1776 while the National Coursing Club was set up in 1858.
Greyhounds were also seen in the show ring. In 1885, Greyhounds were seen in the show ring. In 1885 the first Greyhounds were registered with the American Kennel Club.
Greyhound Racing
The Irish Coursing Club (ICC) was founded in 1916 followed by the Irish Greyhound Board (IGB) in 1958. Belfast saw the opening of the first Greyhound track in 1927.
Unfortunately over the years there has been a failure on the part of the industry to control the number of dogs being bred. There is also a failure to make owners and breeders responsible for their dogs although there have been moves to improve this more recently.
Ultimately many of the dogs produced are not fast enough to make the grade and a lot of young dogs are destroyed.
Estimate of 10,000 or more dogs are thought to be killed every year. This is unacceptable for an industry that is partly financed from public funds. Almost 1,000 Greyhounds entered Irish pounds in 2010 and 672 were killed. These dogs are treated as little more than commodities and certainly not as companion animals.
Greyhounds as pets
While racing is in their genes, greyhounds are companion dogs. They are known to get quickly attached to their owners. Their lack of body fat and sensitive skin means they should not be exposed to rough environments. They are indoor dogs and thrive on being pampered.
Like most dogs, Greyhounds generally live for 12 to 15 years. For the first years of their lives, they tend to race. Retired racers are sometimes put up for adoption.
These ‘low maintenance’ dogs need minimal grooming and low to moderate exercise. Greyhounds can, in fact, be couch potatoes. They require the same amount of exercise as other dogs – a walk once or twice daily and somewhere to run weekly.
Most Greyhounds can be homed an almost any situation however some a bit 'keen' and are not suitable to be homed with cats or small animals as they may chase them. Others don't seem to mind at all.
A breed under threat?
Like other dogs, greyhounds have been effected by the economic downturn. In early 2011, the IGB considered ‘exporting’ Irish greyhounds to China to boost revenues. However, the idea was shelved after strong opposition by animal welfare groups from Ireland and abroad.
Greyhounds cannot be exported legally to China at present as no welfare agreement exists between the two countries. This is something ANVIL would be totally opposed to an it is something we will be monitoring.
Solutions
The Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011 will go some way to improve the protection of greyhounds. The Act puts an onus on greyhound owners and breeders to provide for greyhounds adequately.
A greyhound bitch cannot be used for breeding purposes until she is 15 months old. She can have no more than six litters in her life. There will also be a register of greyhound breeders.
The Bill is a step in the right direction.
Some Greyhounds don't mind sharing a bed with cats!
