Buying a greyhound as a pup can be a rewarding experience as in many instances you can have a hands-on involvement as your greyhound grows and you will have the chance to develop a close bond with your dog.
If your pup is going to be reared by someone else, regular visits to spend time with your pup is recommended and encouraged.
Watching your greyhound grow from a tiny pup into a racing athlete is a wonderful journey, and the more time you can commit to getting to know your pup the better.
Simple things like playing chase games, handling him and helping to teach him to walk on a lead from a young age will increase his chances of growing into a confident, successful race dog.
Most greyhound pups are sold at around three to four months of age and they usually begin racing at around 22 months.
You can expect to pay anywhere from $2,500 – $25,000 for a greyhound pup, depending on its breeding, but it’s not necessarily a case of the more you spend the greater your chances of buying a future champion.
Researching into successful bloodlines or getting advice from people who follow the success of various breeding combinations, can help you identify pups that are well-bred and should have a better than average chance of winning races.
It is important to understand that on top of your initial outlay, you can expect to spend around $10,000 in expenses getting your greyhound to the racetrack.
Below is a reasonable estimation of the breakdown of expenses across the journey:
3 months: Buy pup (approximate minimum $2,500)
3 to 14 months: Rearing @ $100 per week for 48 weeks ($4,800)
14 to 16 Months: Education fees for a period of 4 – 6 weeks @ $120 – $150 per week (approximate minimum $480)
16 to 17 months: Spelling @ $80 per week for 8 weeks ($640)
18-20 months: Pre-training @ $150 per week for 12 weeks ($1,800)
Estimated minimum total: $10,220
One of the real pluses for greyhound ownership is that once your greyhound is racing there are usually no on-going training fees.
Most trainers in Victoria operate on a ‘50/50’ deal, where they cover all of the regular upkeep expenses related to the greyhound (food, blood tests, trials, vet and chiropractic visits) in exchange for half of any prize money your greyhound wins.
However, it is advisable for owners to keep around $1000-$1,500 aside in case of any unexpected vet bills, and to pay a trainer should your greyhound spend an extended period on the sidelines with injury.
Click here for a list of pups available.
