Breeding Greyhounds

Greyhound breeding can be a very lucrative and rewarding business for those people who know what they are doing but for the majority, breeding greyhounds is just a part time hobby. You can never be sure what you will get when breeding, some dogs don’t take to the track at all, but it’s an amazing feeling when you do breed a top class racing greyhound.

When starting out in the world of greyhound breeding, the first step is to determine your budget. With a bit of luck, your breeding venture will at worst pay for itself long term, but there are some start up costs involved initially. You need to work out what you are able to spend on vets fees, a dam, food, flea control and stud fees.

Learning how to read pedigree and spot a top bloodline is of vital importance. You will be able to sell pups from a good bloodline a lot easier and for more money than those with no proven family history.

A good dam is more important than a top class sire in most cases. If you have a limited budget, go for the best dam you can within your budget and save on the sire if you need to. Be sure to choose a sire that will compliment your dam. For a slight dam, choose a more robust male, but if you have a hefty dam, go for a sire that is more slight.

Going to greyhound race meetings as much as possible is a good idea before you get started with breeding greyhounds. Learn as much about the different runners as possible and follow dogs you think look well. Gradually, you will learn how to spot a decent performer and which dogs are likely to make good racing greyhounds.

Once you have your first litter of pups, the most important thing of all is to give your greyhounds the best possible chance of success. Make sure they are content, clean, dry, free from fleas and well fed. If you know you have done your best in looking after the pups, you give your litter making the grade.

Don’t become disheartened if your first foray into breeding greyhounds isn’t successful. It can take time to gain a full understanding of greyhound breeding and it’s a constant learning process. Try and enjoy the whole experience and don’t regard it as a money making venture. That way, you won’t be disappointed and if your greyhound breeding does become a financial success, it’s a nice bonus.