The Greyhound Racing Industry
We support the greyhound industry, its owners, its kennels, its kennel owners, its kennel hands, its farms, and its farm hands. Uniting the farm and racing families with the adoptive families is a pillar of what we do. We stand united for the sustainment of what makes these dogs the amazing athletes—and pets—that they are.
Greyhound Racing History
The greyhound arrived in Europe more than 3,500 years ago. In 1014, King Canute of England enacted the Forest Laws, which stated that only noblemen could own and hunt with greyhounds.
In the 1500s, Queen Elizabeth I abolished this law and initiated the first formal rules of greyhound coursing. Thus, greyhound racing became known as the "Sport of Queens."
In the early 1900s, huge crowds would gather to watch greyhound coursing. In the interest of safety, enclosed courses were introduced. These enclosed courses were much smaller than the open courses, and speed over agility was paramount.
It was just a matter of time before racing would take over from the well-established coursing.
On July 24, 1926, in front of 1,700 spectators, seven greyhounds leapt out of the traps at Belle Vue Greyhound Stadium and raced to catch an electric hare. This marked the first ever modern greyhound race in England.
Soon after, greyhound tracks sprung up all over the United Kingdom and greyhound racing was firmly established in the sporting scene.
Meanwhile, in the late 1800s, American farmers imported greyhounds to help curb the multiplying jackrabbit population. Because of the greyhound's speed and instincts, they became the focus of popular neighbourhood competitions. These informal matches were the first organized greyhound racing events.
In 1919, the first greyhound track was opened in Emeryville, California.
Some great and informative sites for more information on what makes these athletes such amazing pets:
National Greyhound Association - https://www.ngagreyhounds.com/
Greyhound-Data - https://www.greyhound-data.com/
TrackInfo - http://www.trackinfo.com/
Keep West Virginia Racing - https://www.keepwvgreyhounds.com/
North Shore Kennel - https://www.tiktok.com/@northshorekennel
Greyhound Hall of Fame - https://greyhoundhalloffame.com/
American Greyhound Council - https://www.agcouncil.com/
Greyhound Welfare & Integrity Commission - https://www.gwic.nsw.gov.au/
Greyhound Racing Victoria - https://greyhoundcare.grv.org.au/
Greyhound Racing Ireland - https://www.grireland.ie/
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