At Oxford Stadium, we are committed to providing world-leading standards of care so every greyhound lives an enjoyable life before, during and after their racing careers.
Welfare standards at Oxford Stadium will exceed requirements for domestic pet owners and we are proud to work with a highly experienced and qualified team of vets who will deliver around the clock support and treatment to greyhounds that require attention.
More than £250,000 has been invested to revolutionise Oxford Stadium’s kennel and veterinary facilities. We have also purchased state-of-the-art track preparation equipment to ensure our racing surface is always in the best possible condition.
Racing at Oxford Stadium will be strictly operated under the Greyhound Board of Great Britain’s (GBGB) Rules of Racing with comply with the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and the Welfare of Racing Greyhounds Regulations 2010.
In partnership with the GBGB and the Greyhound Trust plus our trainers, owners and dedicated support staff, Oxford Stadium guarantees every dog will find a loving home in retirement.
Read below our greyhounds and cared for throughout their life
Most racing greyhounds are weaned from their mother aged eight weeks old, just like puppies being sold as pets.
However, racing greyhounds will live and develop with their littermates for approximately six months before being paired with a greyhound they are closest too to live with.
Before a greyhound’s racing career begins, they will be taught how to walk on a lead, wear a muzzle and respond to its trainer. They are first introduced to a track after their first birthday once their muscles and joints are fully developed.
Like all working dogs, greyhounds are kept in kennels. Kennels vary from trainer to trainer. A typical kennel will have a bed made up of several soft duvets, be heated, have space for the dogs to stretch and access to an outdoor run.
Every greyhound is walked twice a day, galloped, and allowed to run in an enclosed paddock with its kennel mates. Kennels are disinfected every day and every dog is groomed, checked over and weighed to ensure they are in the best possible health.
Each trainer has a different approach to feed. Popular foods include raw beef, chicken breasts, beetroot, banana, spring greens, cabbage, tomatoes, fresh eggs and honey.
Typically, greyhounds will race at Oxford Stadium once a week. Before a race, all greyhounds are subject to a thorough veterinary assessment. Any concern from our experienced and qualified team of veterinary experts will result in withdrawal.