Dog Racing
Dog racing is a sport run by greyhounds. The dogs chase a mechanical lure, typically an artificial bone, which is called a hare. The hare starts about half a circuit behind the start. When it passes a point near the starting traps, it automatically triggers the gate and releases the dogs. Should the dogs catch or overtake the lure, the race is declared void.
Greyhounds can cover 480 meters in approximately 28 seconds, twice the speed of a human athlete. A greyhound may race at 15 months of age, but it will typically be at its best between 2 ½ and 3 ½ years of age.
Although the dogs are normally docile creatures, they become very excited when they race, and there are times when a runner may turn its head aggressively on another runner. This is why the dogs wear muzzles when they race.
The winner of the race is the dog whose nose first reaches the winning line. The position of the feet is not taken into account. Dog racing finishes are photographed. When the result is close, the judge examines the picture before declaring the winner.
The most popular dog racing surface today is sand. At one time, grass was the norm as this was both picturesque and fast-running. However, it became too difficult and expensive to maintain in a satisfactory racing condition through the winter.