The Victorian greyhound industry is focused on maintaining a sustainable racing program while also prioritising the health and welfare of breeding females. To achieve this, Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) has implemented a greyhound population strategy that aims to align breeding activity with racing population requirements.
GRV utilises a greyhound population modelling tool, widely used throughout Australia and New Zealand, to determine the appropriate number of greyhound pups to be bred each year. This strategy also aims to improve greyhound utilisation and rehoming opportunities. GRV closely monitors breeding numbers and believes the current rate of breeding in Victoria is in line with the future needs of the industry and the capacity to rehome retired greyhounds.
On average there approximately 700 Victorian-bred litters each year, resulting in around 4,000 – 4,500 pups. Around 20% of these pups are transferred to other jurisdictions around Australia or New Zealand where breeding levels are much lower.
To ensure the health and wellbeing of breeding females, several breeding controls have been implemented.
These include:
a limit on the number of litters a female greyhound can whelp within any 18-month period.
a limit on the number of litters a female greyhound can whelp in her lifetime to three, unless an exemption for an additional litter, approved by a veterinarian, is obtained from GRV (only two exemptions may be granted per breeding female).
a limit on the maximum age of the female greyhound to whelp a litter which is eight years of age, unless an exemption, approved by a veterinarian, is obtained from GRV.
a limit on the total maximum number of litters any female greyhound can whelp which is five litters.
Veterinarians approving an exemption must provide a breeding health and fitness certificate.
Other requirements include a general health check by a veterinarian before their first service/mating having up-to-date vaccinations and DNA results recorded.
Overall, GRV’s focus is on maintaining a sustainable industry, ensuring the greyhound population is fit-for-purpose, and protecting the health and welfare of breeding females.
