NZ Animal rights organisation spreading misinformation - Again

A popular animal rights organisation recently posted that greyhounds suffer “psychological distress” while racing. “Psychological distress”? Greyhounds suffer “Psychological distress” when racing? Would that imply that once retired, a greyhound would have post ‘stress and anxiety’ caused from racing? Let’s take a trip back to some statistics I have talked about previously.

First off, the Great Mates rehoming program accesses dogs using a traffic light system; green is ready to be rehomed, amber/orange is a dog which needs a little training before going into a home, and red means the dog needs a behaviour modification plan before going into a home.

Between 1st August 2023 and 30th April 2024, just over 78% of greyhounds tested “green” in their initial assessment (this means straight out of the racing kennel environment). The previous two seasons numbers are similar with 74% and 71% testing as “green”. This not only shows that greyhounds are socialised and well cared for but completely debunks this myth. On-top of the green statistics just over 17% of dogs (1st August 2023 - 30th April 2024) were initially accessed as amber/orange. Meaning they needed a small amount of training to be ready as a pet. This means only just over 4% of greyhounds initially accessed as red.

Now if a greyhound was “psychologically distressed”, or had post racing anxiety or stress… wouldn’t they need some training, at the very least? Or more likely be accessed as red and need a behaviour modification plan?

When it comes to greyhounds they are bred to chase and run. A good example about this point was made in my “Nutrition, Exercise, Socialisation, and Enrichment” post. This is the specific paragraph I’m referring to.

“Breed fulfilment is the most important form of enrichment for any dog. Greyhounds get a lot of breed fulfilment out of running and chasing in the same way a border collie gets a lot of breed fulfilment out of herding sheep. Breed fulfilment, extra enrichment, exercise, safe and secure traveling facilities and a comfortable, regulated kennel? Greyhounds are fulfilled in so many ways!

What happens if a dog isn’t fulfilled or enriched? Being involved with the pet dog training world I see many instances where dogs may just lack enrichment, fulfilment or socialisation. This can very often be the root to a problem. If a border collie didn’t have their breed needs fulfilled, example: herding sheep. This dog could potentially seek this fulfilment in other ways such as: chasing cars, herding other pets or children. In the instance of a greyhound, having their bred purposes fulfilled (chasing and running) helps to reduce the likelihood of behavioural problems due to lack of fulfilment. Remember every dog is bred for a purpose.”

Along with how much fulfilment greyhounds get out of racing due to their breed needs being fulfilled and the statistics of their initial assessments, it’s clear to see greyhounds are absolutely not “psychologically distressed” and this myth is just that. A myth.