Buying your first greyhound.
There are several ways you can purchase a greyhound.
Buying a young pup at the age of 8-10 weeks costing between $400 -$1000.
Buying a pup at the age of 12-15 months old. The cost can range from $800 -$2000
Buying a racing dog with a proven record. The cost will vary depending on age and the results the dog has achieved.
Leasing a dog.
Let's look at the different options.
Young Pup
When buying a pup it is pot luck on whether you may or may not get a dog capable of winning races. Generally the price on the pups reflects the quality of the breeding and that the sire- dam have already produced winning dogs. Often low cost pups are from a unknown or unproven sires and can be good buying. This doesn't mean that they won't perform. It just means that either he is a new sire or may not have achieved very highly at the track. As a rule buying from proven lines gives you a better chance to get that winning dog. Currently in New Zealand' Australian imports and sires are proving very popular as it is generally accepted that Australia has the best racing greyhounds in the world, and there progeny are also proving to be very good on our tracks. Things to look for are good kenneling conditions and that the pups look well with clear eyes. (The advantage with buying young pups is they are untried and you know how they have been brought up.)
12-15 month old dog
This is riskier as you have no idea how it has been treated or what it has been reared on. Also it may well have been tried out or may have had some injury sustained through the most important part of its life, those first 12 months. If purchasing a dog at this age, make sure you get a complete veterinarian check performed and ask for the reason they are selling. There are however some professional breeders around who do raise pups to this age and then sell or syndicate them out before they go into training. (Be careful what you buy, and it is a good idea to get somebody who knows a bit about them to have a look with you.)
Adult racing dog
This can be the cheapest option, and of course you, dont have to wait 15+ months to get them to the track. Again there can be pitfalls as the dog may have suffered injuries or have reached the peak of its career. Using common sense and making sure it is thoroughly checked as sound by a veterinarian. It would also be advisable to check the dog's performance over the last 10 starts and get a professional opinion as to what this dog is likely to achieve and as to its realistic worth. It is true that a dog not performing may well start to perform well with a different owner, trainer or even diet so nothing is full proof.
Leasing
This can be the cheapest option to get into greyhound racing
To be continued