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Showing Racing Greyhounds

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Macha

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Show bred and racing-bred greyhounds have diverged considerably in type.

Greyhounds don't draw large entries at most shows (not are many litters registered with the kennel

club), but at some shows where they are expected to turn out in larger numbers a "racing class" is

offered. I have never seen these classes and I have a few questions.

A)

1) What entitles a dog to be in the racing class? Is registration with a racing/coursing association

sufficient or does the dog need to have actually raced? If it needs to have competed does it need to

have had any specified degree of success?

2) Does the judge look for anything different in a racing greyhound or are the dogs judged against the

show standard but in a class where they are compared with others of the same type?

B)

And some related questions, irrespective of whether special classes are offered for (ex)racers, does a

racing-bred greyhound ever stand a chance of beating show greyhounds in competition? If you had a

racing bred dog with good movement, head, ears, tail (the last three make no difference in a race) but

still looking different from a show bred dog would it stand a chance?

Do breeders occasionally deliberately outcross a show greyhound to a race greyhound -- if so, why?
 
Macha said:
Show bred and racing-bred greyhounds have diverged considerably in type.Greyhounds don't draw large entries at most shows (not are many litters registered with the kennel

club), but at some shows where they are expected to turn out in larger numbers a "racing class" is

offered. I have never seen these classes and I have a few questions.

A)

1) What entitles a dog to be in the racing class? Is registration with a racing/coursing association

sufficient or does the dog need to have actually raced? If it needs to have competed does it need to

have had any specified degree of success?

2) Does the judge look for anything different in a racing greyhound or are the dogs judged against the

show standard but in a class where they are compared with others of the same type?

B)

And some related questions, irrespective of whether special classes are offered for (ex)racers, does a

racing-bred greyhound ever stand a chance of beating show greyhounds in competition? If you had a

racing bred dog with good movement, head, ears, tail (the last three make no difference in a race) but

still looking different from a show bred dog would it stand a chance?

Do breeders occasionally deliberately outcross a show greyhound to a race greyhound -- if so, why?
Click to expand...

!. An ex-racer can be registered at the Kennel Club if it registered with with the Greyhound Trust, I think. I know it has to have some documentation with reference to it's racing career.

2 and 3. Sadly most judges will judge greyhounds in line with the Kennel Club breed standard, therefore as racing dogs differ from show stock there is a preference for show dogs to get placed over ex racers. But if they are in their own class they will be judged as ex racers, or should be IMO.

The show dog is bigger and heavier for a start and will not have the same muscular development as the racer. Also show dogs are longer cast.

To my knowledge not racing bred dog has been mated to a show bitch or the other way round!! I think in some ways it might be a good thing, there were some really good looking coursing greyhounds around before the hunting ban.

I have a show bred greyhound, she is big and black. I think my next one will be a rescue, much calmer!!!!!!!!

3
 
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I know dogs are registered with racing authorities can be show at kc shows; I meant what qualifies a dog to be entered in a class specifically for racing dogs. There are a few shows (I think Crufts and greyhound specialties) which offer such a class.

Is there anything in the standard that precludes a racing type greyhound winning or is it the judges' interpretation of the standard?

I would have expected that the judges do refer to the kc standard when judging the racing dogs' class (someone said to me in regards to whippets that the judge should look at dogs in a racing class differently but I wouldn't expect that except to put more emphasis on the dog being well muscled and not too heavy. I don't think however that the difference in type is as marked in whippets, though fear we are heading that way)
 
Macha said:
I know dogs are registered with racing authorities can be show at kc shows; I meant what qualifies a dog to be entered in a class specifically for racing dogs. There are a few shows (I think Crufts and greyhound specialties) which offer such a class.
Is there anything in the standard that precludes a racing type greyhound winning or is it the judges' interpretation of the standard?

I would have expected that the judges do refer to the kc standard when judging the racing dogs' class (someone said to me in regards to whippets that the judge should look at dogs in a racing class differently but I wouldn't expect that except to put more emphasis on the dog being well muscled and not too heavy. I don't think however that the difference in type is as marked in whippets, though fear we are heading that way)
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If there is a racing class at a show and your dog is KC registered you just enter it. For Crufts, I think you have to have won a first at a ch show. Not sure about it. I know to enter crufts you have to qualify your dog in a qualifying class by winning 1st 2nd or 3rd in Minor Puppy, Puppy, Junior, Yearling, Post Grad, Limit and Open.
 
I have the schedule here for the south eastern hound club and for their Any Variety hound racing & coursing class the defination is For hounds which have raced or coursed at a recognised club. Name to be given on entry form. Dogs to have been entered in a breed class.

I think it can vary with the shows for instance the Whippet club have seperate classes at their show for lure coursing and racing and the dogs are required to have won races /courses within a certain time limit.

You need to check the individule schedules and for crufts you also need to qualify at a champ show like everyone els.
 
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I show my racing greyhound. If a show has racing and coursing classes the dog needs to be on the racing stud book and registered with the KC.

Even at crufts you can just enter you do not have to qualify for the racing/coursing classes. Button did not go to crufts this year as she was in season but last year she went into the r&c class having only ever been to one show previously and that was an open show the week before she went to crufts. She had never seen so many people or dogs before. A racing greyhound can compete in the normal greyhound classes at champ shows and can qualify to compete in the usual classes at crufts the same as the show bred dogs.

Many racing dogs do well competeing in the normal classes at the greyhound club champ show 2008 Button came 5th in a class of 12 entered into post grad bitch beating quite a few show breds. Unfortunately they are judged against the show standard so are taking the show breds on at the game. You wouldn't find a show bred taking on the racers on the track.

Happy Humber you do not have to qualify a racing greyhound for the racing and coursing class at crufts the only qualification you need is a racing greyhound stud book number. The only time you need to qualify is if you want to compete at crufts in the proper show classes eg post grad , limit or open.

Button at crufts 2008 having only ever been to 1 open show the week before.

Button_and_Ben_in_the_ring1_copy1.jpg
 
We phoned and checked before we entered Button and they said no she didn't have to qualify in showing classes to do the racing and coursing. The only champ shows that have the racing and coursing classes for greyhounds are the hound assocation showand crufts soif you had to come 1s 2nd or 3rd in the racing and coursing classes at a show they wouldn't get many entries for crufts
 
With whippets you have to qualify in the same way as ANY dog.

Racing and coursing classes are not crufts qualifyers.

This makes it really hard for people with genuine racing dogs as they are lumped in with the lure coursers who are often show dogs as well.

The racers are restricted by height and weight and are in race condition so it is nearly impossible for them to compete at a champinoship show. :(

I suppose they need some sort of qualifier but it is hard on the racers.
 
well, I suppose a show bred whippet won't be as successful at races as a racing bred one, obviously since one is bred to conform to a breed standard and the other for speed. tough.
 
Some people might say the racing dogs are nearer the standerd with regard to height/ weight. :)

I think it is a pity the race dogs are not encouraged to show as it is the breed as a whole we should be worried about.

I for one would like to see the racing champions have a class of their own as I would love to see them all together.

Other breeds in the gundog group have the gamekeepers classes.
 
If you read the breed standard for greyhounds most are now over sized. The height for a male reyhound is 28"-30" my show bred William is just over 30" and although I haven't shown him since last year he is 1 of the smallest in the ring and for a bitch 27-28" my ex racer is 26".
 
Noise said:
well, I suppose a show bred whippet won't be as successful at races as a racing bred one, obviously since one is bred to conform to a breed standard and the other for speed. tough.
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I race my show bred whippet with some success!
 
bertha said:
Noise said:
well, I suppose a show bred whippet won't be as successful at races as a racing bred one, obviously since one is bred to conform to a breed standard and the other for speed. tough.
Click to expand...
I race my show bred whippet with some success!
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I did say not as successful ;)

what I meant was when getting a puppy, if not entirely as a pet, you choose what you want to do with it and therefore choose the breeding accordingly. there is no point getting in a huff about how fair it is or isn't. as far as I know there are no entirely show bred racing classes, where a show bred whippet stands as good a chance.

the standard isn't just about weight/height. Eskil hasn't yet qualified for crufts, should I say the judges are corrupt, because he is obviously a good size?

although, yeah, a racing champion class does sound like a good idea.

when did crufts started a racing greyhound class? I have always thought that it was more for the benefit of the ex racers and their plight, to show the general public that they make excellent pets and encourage people to consider adopting one?
 
I don't know when they started having a arcing and coursing class for greyhounds but they have definitly had one for the last 5 years and before that as far as I know
 
Most Hound Clubs have a racing and cousing class for Greyhounds

to quailify as a racing greyhound they must firstly be regestered with the English or Irish greyhound stud book and secondly KC registered,there is no need for them to have raced

The Greyhound Club has classes at all their shows and there are trophies to be won.

Althogh they are judged to the breed standard,most judges do judge as a racing and cousing class and in the KC's onn words are "Fit for purpose" as all judged dogs must be nowdays

there is no qualification for the racing and coursing greyhound class at Crufts

Whippet qualifaction is compleatly different as they must have raced or coursed at a reconised club

Greyhounds go to champ shows and enter for the breed classes,but it depends on how many are in the class and on the quality of the show dogs entered as to weather they will get a qualifing place or not. It is true that some judges won't give them a second look but there are lots of judges who will and will place them fairly
 
noopy_101 said:
my sister owns the stunning 48kgs joe the giant he would stand out at Crufts on that lovely green carpet. he has been castrated do you think he would have a chance at crufts or because he is done he would not even catch the judges eye??http://www.greyhound-data.com/db.php?i=128...time=1249158892
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hes a lovely looking dog.... this years 1st and 2nd placing in the racing coursing class at crufts were both neutered dogs.. so give it a try!!!
 
Catsrated exracer are allowed to compete and it doesn't make any difference in the racing and coursing classes although it would if they were entered in the normal show classes.

This year I didn't take Button as she was in season. People were surprised that I said she was in season and so wasn't there they assumed being an ex racer she would be speyed
 
Right thats it then my sister is going to take him, what does she have to do now she has only had him 9months he was not her racer. he raced in the uk and born in Ireland
 
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