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Greyhound Welfare

Prioritising Welfare

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.

Greyhound Retirement - From the Track to the Sofa

The three key phases to every life of a racing greyhound

Read below our greyhounds and cared for throughout their life

1

From Birth

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.

Inside Greyhound Racing: Life at a Racing Kennels

Behind the Scenes: A Greyhound's Day at the Race Track

2

In Training

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.

3

In Retirement

The average greyhound will retire from its racing career aged between three to five years. Greyhounds are expected to live between 10 to 14 years, so have many happy years ahead of them away from the track.

Greyhounds make excellent pets and are described by retired greyhound owners as ‘45mph Couched Potatoes’. They love to sleep on a warm sofa just as much as they enjoy chasing an artificial hare at Oxford Stadium.

The key things to know before choosing to rehome a retired greyhound are:
 
Greyhounds are gentle, affectionate and clever – and great with children.
 
They require little exercise each day. We recommend a minimum of two half-hour walks daily.
 
Most greyhounds will live happily in the company of other pets, including cats.
Most importantly, retired greyhounds are used to care and attention 24/7. It is essential all retired greyhound owners understand the responsibility that comes with owning one. No greyhound should be left home alone for prolonged periods of time and are much better suited to homes with access to a garden.

More information about rehoming a retired greyhound is available here.