GUIDE TO THE DOGS

Francis Fitzgerald gladly shares experience with newcomers to the sport

- Francis Fitzgerald

From Romford to Yarmouth, from Towcester to Newcastle, spectators watch the Usain Bolts of the dog world race against each other.

For a few seconds, these dogs transform from elegant, slender animals into biological machines of pure speed. But behind that 45mph sprint lies one of the oldest, most misunderstood and most charming dog breeds in history.

Whether you are looking to understand the sport of racing or considering bringing a retired racer into your home, here is everything a newcomer needs to know about the 'Ferrari of the dog world'.

Built for Speed: The Anatomy of an Athlete

To understand greyhound racing, you must first understand how the dog is built. The greyhound is a 'sighthound' - meaning it hunts using its incredible vision and speed rather than its nose. Evolution and centuries of careful breeding have given them a physical blueprint unlike any other canine.

1. The Heart and Blood: A greyhound's heart is significantly larger and beats more slowly at rest than that of a normal dog, allowing it to pump massive amounts of oxygenated blood to its muscles during a sprint. They also have a higher red blood cell count, which acts like a natural turbocharger.

2. The 'Double Suspension'

Gallop: Watch a slow-motion video of a greyhound racing. There are two points in every stride where all four paws are off the ground. When they extend, they are airborne; when they tuck their legs under their body, they are airborne again. This allows them to cover massive distances in seconds.