| In Egypt the greyhounds were mummified and buried | | | | also a matter of controversy. While some |
| with their masters. The Egyptians viewed them as | | | | greyhounds are naturally fit to race, the others lack |
| supreme among all animals. The greyhounds also find | | | | killer instinct. the dogs unfit for racing are either killed |
| place in the literary works of Shakespeare, Chaucer | | | | or given in laboratories for experimentation. In certain |
| and Homer. | | | | cases the dogs is starved in order to develop in him |
| In England, greyhound was considered as a status | | | | an impulse to kill the small animals for food. |
| symbol back in 10th century. Only noblemen were | | | | The World Greyhound Racing Federation ( WGRF) |
| permitted to hunt with them. Later, Queen Elizabeth I | | | | was established in 1969. it is a non regulatory |
| made rules regarding the use of greyhounds to chase | | | | organization and is dedicated to providing information |
| hares. In early 1900s Patrick Owen became the first | | | | and promoting the sport nationally and internationally. |
| one to introduce the concept of greyhound racing. | | | | Various nations participate in the Bi- annual World |
| Later, the first circular track was made in California in | | | | Greyhound Racing Conference. At the 2003 |
| 1919. | | | | conference the organization has adopted a welfare |
| The greyhounds are kept in the paddock before the | | | | charter which aims at promoting the mental and |
| race begins. After the pre race tests and procedures, | | | | physical well being of the dogs. |
| the greyhounds are put in individual compartments in | | | | Greyhound Pets of America is another non profit |
| the starting box, called traps. These traps have | | | | organization that finds home to the retired |
| automated doors. When the race starts the dog is | | | | greyhounds. It advices the owners of these pets |
| made to chase a lure. A lure is a mechanical device | | | | how to take care of the greyhounds and helps it fit |
| that moves around the track at a considerable | | | | in the new environment. |
| distance from the dog. The lure resembles either a | | | | The American Greyhound Council is responsible for |
| bone or a rabbit. | | | | researching diseases that infect the greyhound and |
| After the race, the greyhound is provided with water | | | | providing well trained professional and veterinarians to |
| and an open area to walk. The winner is called in the | | | | better take care of the dogs. It also employs |
| winner's circle. | | | | inspectors to check any mistreatment of greyhounds. |
| The registration and identification of greyhounds is | | | | Like in horse racing, betting in greyhound racing is also |
| the duty of the National Greyhound Association. It is | | | | quite prevalent. The betting game has its own |
| a non profit organization and carries its work in North | | | | terminology like bookie, beards, quiniela etc. Betting, |
| America. Only registered owners can enter into an | | | | being a wager can never be foolproof, but one cam |
| exclusive contract with a registered kennel. These | | | | increase his chances to win by playing smart. For |
| kennel in turn contract with the tracks. The tracks | | | | example, a dog with a consistent performance can |
| decide the schedule for the race fro a season. | | | | be good to bet on. The medical history and the |
| There are certain states like California and Maine that | | | | appearance of the dog can be another parameter. |
| prohibit greyhound racing. Other States prohibit the | | | | Success cannot be guaranteed in the game of |
| use live rabbits and other small animals as a bait for | | | | betting, but doing a little homework never hurts. |
| the dogs in the race. | | | | Mansi gupta writes about greyhound racing topics . |
| The way the greyhounds are handled and trained is | | | | |