Myth-Busting Greyhound Racing and Welfare – The Real Facts You Need to Know

Greyhound racing has long been a part of British culture, steeped in history and tradition. For many, it’s a night of excitement—whether it's the thrill of betting on a winner or the joy of owning a racing dog. However, in recent years, greyhound racing has faced growing scrutiny, often accompanied by a lot of misconceptions. It’s essential to distinguish between fact and fiction. This article aims to debunk some of the most common myths about the sport and its impact on the dogs involved, shedding light on the truth about greyhound welfare and the care these incredible animals receive.

Myth 1: Greyhounds Are Forced to Race

One of the most persistent myths surrounding greyhound racing is that these dogs are forced to race. In reality, greyhounds are bred for speed and agility, and they have an innate desire to run. From a young age, greyhounds exhibit a strong natural instinct to chase, which is why they excel at racing. Their stereoscopic vision aids in seeing the lure, triggering their instinct to chase, which is why they pursue the mechanical hare around the track, to receive the fake lure rag or teddy at the pick-up.

When greyhounds are transported to the track, they’re often excited, eagerly wagging their tails in anticipation. It’s not uncommon to see them bounding around the kennels with enthusiasm as they approach the race. Some greyhounds, however, may not have the desire to race or may not show enough interest to be competitive. These dogs are not forced to race; if they don't want to, they simply won't leave the trap. If they don’t want to race, they are placed on a homing list to find a loving home.

Myth 2: Greyhounds Are Discarded Once They Retire

Another misconception is that greyhounds are discarded once they retire from racing. In fact, the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) operates a Greyhound Retirement Scheme to support retired racing dogs to find forever homes, with the most recent rate of homing being published by the GBGB being 93%. These figures don’t mention that some trainers or homing kennels will keep their greyhounds in their care to see out the rest of their life, creating a loving experience as possible. This may be because they wouldn’t suit a house environment.

Every registered greyhound is retired with a £400 bond, which is paid partly by the owner and partly by the GBGB to cover the costs of homing the dog. This helps ensure a smooth transition from racing to life as a family pet.

Before leaving for homing, trainers and racing owners will get their greyhound spayed or neutered, and their health is checked, including dental care. It’s often an emotional time for trainers and kennel staff who form strong bonds with the dogs, these animals are not abandoned. Trainers are required to take responsibility for their dogs, and if any greyhound is found abandoned, the trainer or owner will face serious consequences. The sport has a strong commitment to the welfare of the dogs, both during and after their racing careers.

Myth 3: Greyhounds Struggle to Integrate into Home Environments

Some people believe that retired greyhounds have difficulty adapting to home life. While it’s true that greyhounds are not accustomed to home environments, with training and positive reinforcements, most settle in just fine. Like any dog, they may need some time to adjust to new routines. Greyhounds thrive on routine and consistency, which can help ease their transition.

Once comfortable, these dogs are often affectionate and calm, with many retired greyhounds quickly becoming couch potatoes. They don't require excessive exercise, and many owners report that their greyhounds are content with short walks and plenty of rest. Homing[GM1]  centres offer expert advice and support to ensure greyhounds transition well into family homes.

Myth 4: Greyhounds Are Vicious Because They Wear Muzzles

It is known that greyhounds wear muzzles because they are aggressive or dangerous. In fact, greyhounds are known for their calm and docile nature, both during and after their racing careers. Greyhounds wear muzzles primarily to ensure safety and well-being during races and public outings. These muzzles help prevent the dogs from accidentally injuring themselves or other dogs when they get excited.

Many retired greyhound owners continue to muzzle their dogs during walks as a precautionary measure, due to their natural chase instinct. If you see a muzzled greyhound, it's important to recognise that the owner is simply being responsible, not because the dog is aggressive.

Myth 5: Greyhound Racing is Dangerous and Cruel

Like any sport, greyhound racing involves some inherent risks, but the sport has undergone significant reforms in recent years to prioritise the safety and well-being of the dogs. The GBGB has implemented strict regulations and track safety measures to minimise risks. The tracks have regular STRI (Sports Turf Research Institute) inspections. Alongside this, each track has a dedicated team of staff to work solely on the running surface, making it as safe as possible. Whether that be watering the sand, plating the surface or checking the running pressure[GM2] [JD3] [GM4] . Tracks are also often inspected by Stipendiary Stewards who assess for minor hazards and ensure any issues are resolved quickly. Plus, each greyhound is assessed by a veterinarian before they kennel in, before they race and after the race as well.

While accidents can happen in any sport, the injury and fatality rates in greyhound racing are low. Before each race, licensed veterinarians conduct inspections, and if a dog is deemed unfit, it is withdrawn from the race. On-track, if an injury occurs, onsite veterinarians are immediately available to treat the dog. In the case of serious injuries, operations are performed within 24 hours, often more quickly than at a typical pet vets. Maintaining full health for the greyhounds is essential for the sport's viability. Each year, the GBGB publishes injury and retirement statistics. For the 2024 report, out of 364,981 runs completed in the 2023 season, the injury rate was 1.16% (which includes both minor and serious injuries), while the fatality rate was 0.03%. For comparison, horse racing, a highly regarded national sport, had a fatality rate of 0.18% in 2023, which is six times higher.

Myth 6: Greyhounds Are Drugged to Enhance Performance

Greyhound racing is heavily regulated, and one of the most tightly controlled aspects of the sport is anti-doping. The sport has some of the strictest anti-doping regulations of any sport, with regular testing of randomly allocated dogs throughout the year. If any dog is found to have tested positive for drugs, the responsible parties are subject to disciplinary action, including being banned from racing.

The GBGB, which is accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS), ensures that racecourses meet the highest standards of welfare and safety. This includes maintaining rigorous checks on both the dogs and their trainers' facilities. Stipendiary Stewards are licensed to the GBGB and can perform random kennel inspections whenever, keeping a close eye on the greyhounds. 

Myth 7: Retired Greyhounds Have Scars on Them from Abuse When Racing

It is often thought that greyhounds receive scars and tears on their skin due to their ill-treated upbringing and life in the kennels. If a retired greyhound has some scars on them, this often comes from their puppy days. When they’re growing and forming, the pups stay in a pack with their siblings until they’re old enough to begin transitioning to kennel routines to learn to race. Which, some kennels do keep siblings paired up in kennels.

Compared to a pet dog, greyhounds live with their siblings and Mum a lot longer than the normal 8 weeks. When they’re growing, greyhounds become quite lanky as they grow into their body. So, when the pups are playing, they can catch one another and cause tears that lead to scars later down the line. With greyhounds having thin skin and single layer fur, they can be prone to having cuts from their playtime. Creating stigma around current scars they carry when they retire.

Myth 8: The Industry is Purely Profitable[GM5] , and Dogs Are Over-Raced

While greyhound racing is a popular spectator sport in the UK, it's also an industry that places the welfare of the dogs at the forefront. Greyhounds typically race between the ages of 2 and 5. However, with the 4-day rule in place to ensure that the dogs are not overexerted, race cards are sometimes not filled; there are not enough dogs available to run. Trainers and owners prioritise the well-being of their dogs, and they are not permitted to race if a greyhound isn’t fully fit. If a dog sustains an injury, it is immediately withdrawn from the race and receives the necessary treatment. Furthermore, most greyhound owners don’t make any profit from the sport, only a very small number of top-class greyhounds do. Owners race greyhounds because they know their dogs love it.

Myth 9: The Greyhound breed is over bred for exploitation 

A common misconception about greyhounds is that they are overbred, either to produce as many puppies as possible for racing or to crossbreed in an effort to create the "perfect" racer. In reality, this is far from the truth. The breeding of greyhounds, like all aspects of the sport, is highly regulated. There are strict regulations on how often greyhounds can be bred and how many times they can have litters. Typically, greyhound broods are permitted to have no more than four litters, though in exceptional cases, a fifth may be allowed with veterinary approval. However, most trainers chose to not breed four litters.

 All greyhounds are tracked from birth, and every litter must be officially registered, ensuring a clear record of each dog’s lineage. The welfare of the dogs is always the top priority, and these regulations help ensure their health and well-being throughout their careers. Over the past decade, the number of greyhound litters has seen a noticeable decline. Since 2014, the number of litters has dropped by 46%, with 2023 marking a significant decrease compared to earlier years. This trend mirrors a similar reduction in Ireland, where the number of litters has fallen by 39% over the same period.

Myth 10: Greyhounds are kept in horrible cruel environments

There are some misleading rumors claiming that greyhounds are kept in cruel conditions and only let out to race. These claims about tiny cages, being kept in groups of many dogs, or being forced to train and run for long hours are completely false. Trainers have to ensure their kennels are up to GBGB standard. They have to be certain temperatures, pass SCI inspections, Vet inspections and random inspections from stipendiary stewards. 

In fact, most greyhounds in kennels are housed in pairs, so they have a companion to interact with. Their kennels are comfortable, with cozy beds made from multiple duvets, and they receive plenty of toys and treats. They have to meet GBGB kennel requirements, with a minimum of 2m headroom, 2.3m in depth, and 1.5m in width. Bedding provisions: Each kennel needs a bed that is a minimum of 1sq m in size and elevated 20cm off the floor. Most kennels tend to be bigger, this is the bare minimum. 

The staff at the kennels care for the dogs like their own, providing love and attention. Trainers typically take the dogs out once or twice a day for walks or runs, unless they’ve recently raced, in which case they get time off to rest and recover. Greyhounds are only placed in crates for travel, and this is purely for their safety, just as it is with any other dog. They are not forced to run, they enjoy running and playing with their friends, and in reality, most of their day is spent resting in their beds or having fun with their kennel mates. 

The Truth Behind Greyhound Racing

Despite the myths and misconceptions that often surround the sport, greyhound racing is a well-regulated activity with a strong emphasis on the welfare of the dogs. Greyhounds are highly trained athletes that love to run, and they are treated with the utmost care throughout their careers and beyond. By addressing and debunking these myths, we hope to offer a more accurate and balanced understanding of the sport, highlighting the compassion and dedication that goes into caring for these incredible animals.