Frequent What do greyhounds chase in a race? The Ultimate Guide

4. Jumping, Lunging and Handler-Assisted Rise

Jumping and lunging were recorded before chases at all tracks. Jumping was less likely to occur at Gosford than at Wentworth Park, but there were no significant differences between tracks where chase objects were available in the catching pen and tracks where they were not. Lunging was less likely to occur at Redhead and Gosford tracks than at Wentworth Park. Lunging was also less likely to occur with longer chase distances. These behaviours were not associated with mean eye temperature at race-meets [7], so it is difficult to attribute them to arousal, as had been predicted when the data collection commenced. Instead of reflecting arousal, these behaviours may be directly related to trainers/handlers and the distance greyhounds are running. Of course, it is unlikely greyhounds know how long they will run before being released, but greyhounds that do not engage in energetically costly behaviours immediately prior to races may be better suited to running longer distances. As such, the negative relationship between the incidence of these behaviours and race distance may be due to dogs that are relatively inactive prior to races being better suited to longer races. An alternative explanation is that greyhounds prepared for longer races may be encouraged by trainers, however inadvertently, to display calmer behaviours prior to racing.

Handler-assisted rise was significantly less likely to occur at tracks with chase objects accessible in the catching pen. This is an intriguing pattern that runs counter to predictions of behaviours indicating high arousal before a chase potentially being indicative of anticipation and increased motivation to chase. As handler behaviour is a critical component of this, it may be that handlers are using this to try to increase arousal and anticipation in their dogs and are consciously or sub-consciously using it more at tracks without chase object accessibility. An alternative explanation is the handlers are assisting dogs to stand on their hind legs in response to the dog’s behaviour, but with different patterns emerging for jumping and lunging, it is unclear what that behaviour might be.

There is also the question of the role of age and experience on behaviours displayed in stir-up. A previous study found no effect of age or number of starts on behaviour indicative of heightened arousal in stir-up at racetracks, although there was a small, negative, but non-significant effect of the number of days since the dog last raced [7]. Race distance and track were the only significant factors influencing behaviours indicative of arousal in that study, which is consistent with the expanded dataset including straight tracks presented here.

These two behaviours occurred at different likelihoods at different tracks, and there was considerable variability in their occurrence. This may be indicative of confounding factors that have not been identified, such as handler influences or learning history with specific tracks. These behaviours may also be influenced by other transient factors such as how long it was since the dog has last trained, their current fitness, and even recent interactions with other dogs or humans that may have influenced their mood.

Finally, given that these behaviours may not stem from heightened arousal as originally thought, it is possible that they have differing functions in this context. Lunging is directed towards the lure whereas jumping is vertical motion without forward motion, suggesting the former could be goal-directed while the latter is not. However, the greyhounds are on leash at the time, so forward motion will almost certainly result in pressure on the collar whereas vertical motion alone probably will not, so differences could equally be attributable to sensitivity to collar pressure. It is beyond the scope of this study to identify the possible contributing factors to the differences between these behaviours observed.

What do the dogs chase during a race?

dog racing, also called greyhound racing, the racing of greyhounds around an enclosed track in pursuit of an electrically controlled and propelled mechanical hare (rabbit).

Greyhounds are sight hounds, bred to chase rabbits, or whatever moves across their field of vision, until they catch it. Motivating a Greyhound to hunt a rabbit is usually not that difficult, they do it instinctively, however directing your Greyhound can be more of a challenge.

Is it cruel to race greyhounds?

Greyhound racing is cruel and inhumane and there is no place for it in the modern era. When it first emerged in the United States in the early 20th century, supporters did not know that hundreds of thousands of dogs would suffer and die.

Greyhounds racing – Chasing a rabbit – Track race

Greyhound racing training is a lengthy and costly process. Training racing Greyhounds is also highly controversial. Races involve a mechanically-propelled dummy hare that the Greyhounds chase around a track.

The process of preparing Greyhounds for the track can involve over-breeding, racing injuries and overexertion of dogs, but not all Greyhounds face poor welfare in their career. It’s important to approach the subject in a balanced manner if improvements are to be made.

Greyhound racing is an organized sport in which Greyhounds are competitively raced around a track. The two forms of Greyhound racing are coursing and track racing. Track racing is encouraged with an artificial lure. The lure travels ahead of the dogs to draw them toward the finish line. Greyhound race organizers often encourage the public to bet on the outcome. The sport is legal in the United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland, Spain, and some states in the USA.

Animal welfare groups are critical of the commercial racing industry. The racing industry has long been associated with over-breeding, physical overexertion, high euthanasia rates, and lack of socialization of dogs. However, not all Greyhounds suffer these problems, and it’s important to approach the subject of Greyhound racing in a balanced way.

Greyhound racing is on the decline – it’s illegal in 40 states and the number is set to rise. Between 2001 and 2014 there was a 70% decline in the amount gambled by the public on dogs. Dog racing is legal and active in the following states: Iowa, Texas, Arkansas, Alabama, Florida, and West Virginia. Racing is legal in these states, but there are no stadiums or tracks with live races currently in these states: Oregon, Kansas, Wisconsin, and Connecticut. Greyhound racing is illegal in all other states.

Greyhound races are legal in the United Kingdom. As of 2020, there are 21 licensed stadiums and 4 independent stadiums that host dog races. Races held at registered stadiums are regulated by the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB). Licensed kennels must fall within specific rules and guidelines. The Greyhounds are inspected by qualified veterinary surgeons before they race. Drug tests are also conducted.

Canberra, Australia Capital Territory, has banned Greyhound racing. The ban has been in effect since 2018. For the rest of Australia, Greyhound racing is legal. There are 66 active Greyhound tracks and 67 racing clubs to date. Spain allows Greyhound racing, however, there are no official race tracks, and the last track closed in 2006. The races start on straight paths instead. Coursing competitions are held each year, where dogs compete to catch a lure or live hare. The Galgo Español is most commonly bred for this purpose as well as general hunting.