Fun Fact Friday - Daily Care of a Greyhound and Their Routine

What is the daily care and routine of a greyhound? Every trainer will train definitely in relation to their daily routine and depending on which days they may race, trial ect.

As a general rule of thumb most dogs have a similar routine when it comes to their grooming. Tick, flea, and worm treatments must be up to date and recorded for the RIB to access when undergoing a kennel audit (kennel inspection). If a greyhound was to be presented for a race with fleas ect the vet has a right to scratch the dog from the race.

Greyhounds unlike other dogs don’t require a bath very often, however it’s likely that in the summer time greyhound trainers will bath their dogs frequently. Those who use a hydrobath to help with pre and post race care (massage bath), are likely to wash their dog more frequently than those who don’t due to the nature of the dogs being in the bath.

If a greyhound is presented to the track vet pre race with nails which are too long or have a sharp point at the end, the vet has the right to scratch the dog or present the trainer with a warning. Most greyhound trainers will trim them weekly or every few weeks to stay on-top of the nails.

Hot tip! If you find your greyhounds nails are too long but your not confident to cut a large amount off, just trim them every 3-4 days or weekly for a few weeks and the quick will naturally retract a little each time. Or if you know of a trainer I’m sure they will be happy to assist you.

Dogs are given basic grooming daily or every few days. Most trainers will brush the dog’s coats daily when they are out in their yards or getting put back in their kennels. Greyhounds tend to have bad teeth, this is why it’s expected that they should have a dental yearly once they enter a home. All trainers will ensure they provide proper dental treatment while racing which includes dental procedures at the vets, feeding bones, some trainers also brush their dog’s teeth. When a greyhound enters the rehoming program they must be desexed and require a full dental before leaving the trainers property, they must also have updated vaccinations.

Greyhounds cannot race if they do not have updated vaccinations. The greyhounds must also have a standown of 5 days post vaccinations before being nominated for another race.

How are greyhounds placed into kennels when they are due to start racing? When moving puppies from the puppy paddocks many trainers will keep them grouped in the same kennel blocks, these dogs have grown up together and generally will get along well (generally they are littermates). Some trainers may split their dogs into a kennel facility of boys and one for girls, while some may mix both. When puppies come into the kennels from the paddocks they generally settle and fit into the new routine well. Greyhounds are routine dogs and know their routine so once they settle they do get the hang of it pretty quickly. Trainers know the personalities and quirks of each dog, if for some reason 2 dogs didn’t get along they will likely know why and which dogs they should place where to ensure all dogs are happy.