Grefina kennel
Articles
In touristic maps is the greyhound race track mentioned, even with small advertisement. For the admirers and fans of greyhound racing it is obligatory to come there. Anyway compare to the other sightseeing places like casinos, betting, horse racing it is only "low level" entertainment. The location in the north part of Macau corresponds to this fact as there are only few other tourist spots e.g. Museum Lin Ze Xu or Fortress Mong Ha. Even these cannot be compared with the luxury casinos. In entrance is from the road Av. General Castelo Branco only few minutes far from bus stops. Who arrives by ferry should take bus nr. 3, who arrives by plane should take bus nr. 26. This is enough for short introduction and let go into Macao (Yat Yuen) Canidrome Co. Ltd. as written above the entrance gate.
We were told we have to buy a ticket to enter the stadium. So our first steps are unsafe and we are looking for sales office. The guard standing in the gate just shows we should enter. No ticket needed we can safe some money. The reason could be that the racing starts at 7:30pm and we arrived about 10pm. Or rather the race track is independent of the spectators (similar to casinos:-)
Almost automatically our first steps lead to betting office where is lot of empty or not winning tickets on the floor. About 20 betters, sitting or standing, follow the races on monitors or check the racing newspapers (available in chinese only) and try to find the best bets for coming races. There are totally 18 races at 350 yards (320m), 510 yards (466 m) and 550 yards (503 m), each with 6 dogs. The races follow in rather agile pace in regular intervals because everybody knows exactly what to do. Anyway everything is going a bit dumpish as nothing's going on. And really nothing's going on. It is only many times prooved procedure. For employee as well as for better and for only few spectators. I have almost the feeling we are the only spectators because we are making pictures, the other watch the dogs before the race or jam in hands tickets or newspapers.
The greyhounds are coming from kennel to a round sand area mainly to defecate before the race. Later they cross small elevated platform where the tattooing numbers are checked. Everything is going quite smoothly, without emotions, barking or any need to calm down the dogs. Presentation of the dogs follows during walk in front on the main stage - which is by the way almost empty - including 3 stops that the betters can update their bets. The last from 3 stops is in front of VIP room.
From the last stop the greyhound continue to the start boxes. There are totally 3 start boxes. First fixed boxes for 350 yards are at the beginning of the opposite straight, moveable boxes for 510 and 550 yards are on the straight in front of the main stage. Its operator do quite well job because after the start they have to lift up the start boxes by means of manual hydraulic jack and move it from the race track. Well done... Before the greyhounds move in to the start boxes everything is again surprisingly quiet again. The dogs look like almost not interested in the race and are waiting ennuied until they are pushed or partly carried into the box.
After the sign from the boxes that everything is ready a bell rings (it was rather a sound of punch into a rail) warning announcing start of the race and the "rabbit" moves. It is running in a rail on the inner side of the race track. All takes again unbelievable long time and still the dogs do not show any sign of impatience. Their stoic behaviour changes suddenly as soon as the boxes are open.
During the races we could not see any collision or any attack among the dogs. After the race the track is closed with plastic curtains and the dogs are caught in the curve after the finish line. A walk heading back into the kennel passing the main stage follows again with stop in front of the VIP room. No emotions again. You can see how tired are the dogs, breathing heavily, but the race is over and there is no need to show other engagement. Even no emotions when the dogs from last race pass by the dogs waiting for next race, separated just by simple handrail. The only emotions you can see on the faces of the betters who failed with their bets. The tickets fly to the ground and the better leave the stadium. It is around midnight and the last race is over. Step by steps the lights go down to the necessary minimum, neon above the main gate. The entertainment for today is over here. The casinos where the money flows continuously and in huge amount are waiting. And who cannot afford betting in casinos can at least take free shuttle bus and can try to get in casinos some food and drink. As recommended in chinese internet. Author: stve
One weekend in November 2009 we got new arrival. A small dog, size of a whippet, with lovely look, simply small dog to feather bed. He still had milk-teeths so we thought he in not yet one year old. My daughter Pavla ride a bike with her boy-freind and found him in a hole at dump. He was quite jumpy and it took long time until they attracted him. It was clear he was not lost, he was left there by purpose.
First few days everything looked well. He had some troubles with food, was hungry, but vomit quite often. I stopped to feed him with dried dog food (Acana for puppies) and cooked rice with meet for him. It seemed to be OK, stomach was quiet and I changed back to dried dog food. And everything repeated again. He did not digest which confused us and we did not know what happened to him. So I changed to cooked food again. In the beginning he went for walk with pleasure but everytime when he returned back he did not lay down but continued to walk. At first we thought he is not tired enough and he need to walk more but later it was strange to me. Puppy and does not play, just walk and walk. In the evening I cleaned the kitchen and let him walk as he want. When he went out it was worse and worse so I let him go just in the garden for a while otherwise he was at home. He seemed to be more and more tired and I believed it is caused by lack of sleeping. I started to ask my friends if they know why a dog does want to lay down. My friend told me he has a backache or stomackache. I gave him Regalen (to help with recovery of digestion) and Vironal (to help againt infection). It looks like the situation was stabilized. I went with him for longer walk but after the return he salivated and walked all the night. After a talk with healer I realized the dog has really a problem with digestion. My daughter went to the clinic in Beroun and the vet gave him antibiotics and Rimadil.
Both by injection and the dog relaxed and slept all night. Next day the same was repeated and we got the antibiotics - this time pils - and returned home. Situation got worse. I bought lapacho and prepared a tea, gave him herbal and cooked rice with meat. The dog started to sleep and become quiet. But remained tired and exhausted. It was clear to me I have to do something. I called vet specialized in digestion. She decided the dog has to get infusion and must not eat anything. She said the dog has to stay in the clinic so I though its necessary. Second day in the morning I got a call the dog howled and wailed all night and I have to pick up him. Impossible, I had to go to office. I called there again and again and got information maybe on Saturday I can bring him back home. Later I was told the dog is dying and reportedly he died on Saturday.
I was shocked. Not only emotionally but financially as well. Why it ended up like this? When paying (more than 6000Kč equals to 230Euro) I wondered how many medicaments were used for 8kg heavy dog. In fact no diagnosis only what I knew already. I got feelings of guilt that I entrusted them this
dog. I started to search in the books and find out following:Acute pancreatitis - clinical signs are most commonly related to:
Source: Care of the Racing and
Retired Greyhound
As a possible reason of dog pancreatitis is in the last time mentioned inadequate or wrong food due to low quality dry food produced from waste without contain of high quality animal proteins. In Africa is this disease known on hard working people without access to high quality proteins.
Based on these information I could understand possible connections. The dog was probably feed with low quality dry food and got acute pancreatitis. Due to pain he started ta walk at home which was not comfortable for the owner. Maybe he was locked and started to wail. Such troublesome dog was not welcome and landed at the dump. Maybe they went to vet but after my experience I rather doubt that a proper check and diagnosis were done.
I remember as well a story of young ice hockey player - now handicapped - who was living with father only. At home they did not cook but bought bread and sausages only. The boy went to school and had training twice a day. Perhaps he ate in the canteen but the other food were mainly bread and sausages only with low contain of proteins. The trining load was quite high but the trainer did not care what the boy eats. He had stomachache more and more often and finaly a terrible pain came. The boy was able to reach a phone and call emergency car. He fainted and woke up later in hospital. Even after an operation he remained handicapped.
In the internet I could find some information if the dog gets food with low protein content only it is necessary to start with high quality proteins very carefully otherwise pancreas cannot process it. I do not agree on that as the pancreas is damaged by wrong food the treatment should start on time.
I do not understand one thing. I am not vet but I was able to find necessary information. How is it with responsibility of vets? Do they need to study continuously? Or is it their goodwill only? They are here only to earn money without having any moral aspects in their job? Why no vet did proper diagnosis according to the clinical symptoms - dog does not lay down, salivates, vomit, loose weight.
The latest arrival of our breeding station, BENTE SCARE Grefina and BECKIE SCOTT Grefina, were November 11th 2009 exactly 2 years old. At this age the running carrier should be started. What´s more I have as well promising bitch from Ireland WINTER JOY. November 1st 2009 she was 3 years. It took longer time until she got used to our environment and until she could start with racing. Another bitch KIRKÉ ARGUMENT was 2 years old in February 2009. When she started with first hopeful races she had one year ago an accident - she smashed in garden with full speed into ladder and I was afraid whether she will ever walk again. It ends up well but her performance is high probably influenced by this accident so it looks like she will not be seen on the racetracks anymore. She runs on our racetrack in Kresin just for fun but bigger load is not suitable for her.
End of June 2009 we finalized racing licenses and thought where to go for racing. All three bitches are very fast so I rejected running on grass tracks in Czech. In surroundings there are racetracks in Nitra (Slovakia), Greppin (Germany) and Rábapatoma (Hungary).
I went to Greppin for training and was excited by the racetrack. It is prepared very well, without any fault and the organizer very kind. Unfortunately the races very in October. So I decided to go to Nitra. Racing order is same as in the past in Praskacka which fits us. July 29th 2009 we took part in Slovakian Championship. My dogs run the distance of 490m.
Results: 1. BENTE SCARE Grefina 32,349s (winner of Slovakian Championship); 2. WINTER JOY Grefina 32,754s; 3. BECKIE SCOTT Grefina 33,036s; 6. KIRKÉ ARGUMENT. It was quite rainy that day so the racetrack was very soft and the achieved time not that fast.
October 3rd Slovakian Derby took place and we participated again. Results: 1. BENTE SCARE Grefina 31,734s (Winner of Slovakian Derby); 3. WINTER JOY 33,032s; 4. BECKIE SCOTT Grefina 33,160s. Second placed dog MOONLIGHT HUNTER RIPPLY (owner P. Meszáros). It was a ding-dong race until the last meters. WINTER JOY (on webpage of Slovenský dostihový greyhound zväz is she called ZIMA BOY or ZIMA JOY??) started from box nr. 6 and was far behind in first curve. Anyway she made up for lost meters and finished 3rd. She is tough fighter and I believe she will catch on next year. BECKIE SCOTT is during training as fast as her sister BENTE SCARE but she is more shy and she need to sow one's wild oats. I could realize it during the last race in Greppin.
Even the racetrack in Greppin is excellent and I looked forward there were issues which I did not think about. First the race was mid of October so we went almost all way there and back in darkness. On the way there heavy fog and not good knowledge of the way caused it was quite hard to drive. Anyway we arrived on time. My dogs were shocked. So many people and even more dogs were there. They did not want to get off the car even they ran already there. I realized later my "villager-dogs" were stressed a lot. In the beginning I did not pay attention but during the racing BECKIE "presented" herself. After the start of the race I ran up a embankment which is around the race track to see the race. BENTE ran together against bitch ELEKTRIKA and finished neck and neck in very fast time. First BENTE was announced as winner later ELEKTRIKA. Anyway I was happy. But BECKIE somehow mixed up everything and instead to run into the finish she came directly to me. I should not stay there but who would think about it before. There is no fence around the race track at that place and BECKIE solved it by herself. WINTER JOY did not have all papers ready that time so she could participate during FCI racing in training only. I would like she runs same distance as BECKIE and BENTE but the organizer did not mind and she could run distance for whippets. Unfortunately time was not measured which disappointed me.
KIRKÉ ran as well short distance and finished 3rd from 3. We did not participated in fact on final. The racing was according to FCI order which does not fit to my dogs. I can say the racetrack is well prepared but the amount of participants took us by surprise. Almost 5 hours long journey back in darkness was quite inconvenient. Anyway we have to realize the race track is quite close for Czech scale. I expect to go there in spring again.
Important is we did not have any injury and went through the season smoothly. It is pity that BECKIE and BENTE run all the time in same together and a hierarchy in kennel was created similar to ABIGAIL Grefina and her brother ALLEN JOHNSON Grefina years ago. If they run together it happens that kennel´s leading dog does not allow to be overtaken. Once when ABIGAIL would like to overtake ALLEN JOHNSON he lashed out at her - according to the kennel´s order she was not allowed to do so. Later on ABIGAIL ran in another heats and she could find courage and began to win. The same I can see at BENTE and BECKIE. BECKIE needs to run more times with other dogs to overcome the subordination. So I see we have to go to Rábapatoma where the dogs can be set in different heats.
I have dogs which like moving and my chances to let them run as they wish and need are limited. In the past I ran with them quite often but with the age my performance drops. It is impossible to compare my speed with their possibilities. I tried as well to ride bicycle with them which is one of good choices what the load concerns anyway such trips equal often to heroism. How to get of the bike fast, how to avoid colision with the lead, how to avoid injury when roe or rabbit crosse our way.
Finally the scooter came. We had at home very old one from Jilemnice. Originally it was produced for summer training of skiers. It has both wheels 20" with off-road tires and high handle bars. Initial brakes lost with time the efficiency and my wrists were painful during downhill because of shaking on uneven terrain. Luckily skilful mechanist got suspended front fork and clear off this problem. Later on I let to replace the brakes with more efficiency ones. Front wheel has new rim with mechanical rim brake. Rear wheel has new axle with hydraulic disc brake which works very well during raining or snowing. These changes result from sometimes rugged experience.
Prior this fierce brake replacement it happened to me that a cat flashed past when I ride with more dogs down a snowy meadow. Both rim brakes were useless and I continued approx. 50m on my belly. Luckily the snow reduced the friction and nothing happened to me. Anyway I was shocked what could happen!
First I started to search for new scooter and later on let to refurbish the old one. I checked different offers in internet but there were not so many suitable "machines". Thanks to the owner of one company, Mr. Michalek, I had one scooter (with drum brakes) to have a try. Scooter which is produced for rental. The result did not encourage me. It was hard to apply the brakes, handle bars were not suspended and placed very low for me. Small wheels felt into all small holes in terrain. After only one trip I had terrible back-ache. Kind producer understood my troubles and took the scooter back.
He delivered another scooter which is produced for mushers. The handle bars were a bit higher, brakes were mechanically actuated disc brakes. I tried it again in terrain. It was scooter for men - heavy so my wrist and back was still painful.
Surprisingly the producer did not kill me but delivered another scooter which I finally bought. Front wheel is 26", rear wheel is 16", handle bars are perfectly suspended, disc brakes are hydraulically actuated. As small disadvantage I would see steep handle bars too much above the front wheel. The old scooter has handle bars not only enough high but as well inclined closer to rider. The result is that you do not hit the frame with your knee and the riding is more comfortable. On my new scooter I moved the handle bars closer to me by means of turning the handle bars support.
Currently I have two scooters. The old one which is rebuilt and the new one bought in February. When comparing these two scooters I see as optimal the combination of both. Such scooter I could not see in the market until now.
20" rear wheel has advantage when braking. It does not block or slid even during sudden brake. Smaller 16" rear wheel is less reliable. 26" front wheel has advantage during higher speed and generally better handling. Hydraulic brakes are very reliable anyway sudden braking with front brake is a bit dangerous. I think mechanical rim brake on front wheel and hydraulic disc brake are the best combination. Handle bars for walking the dog must be really high in order to enable upright position. Low handle bars is not recommended because you have to watch the dogs and the surroundings continuously.
And how is it with the lead? After previous experience I bought some leads from mushers and now produce new leads by myself. It is a strap with approx. 50cm of rubber strip and snap hook. Such lead can sustain sudden pull and its advantages cannot be compared with flexible lead. I use as well approx. 10cm wide waist belt where the leads are connected to. I tried to connect the lead directly to the handle bars but it negatively influences the stability.
During walk the dog has chest strap as well as collar. In forest the lead is connected to collar because the probability to meet a roe or a rabbit is higher. Chest strap would be in such case too flexible and the dog can swerve into bush or side ditch and definitely I do not want to follow him there.
I would like to throw in that there are currently on the market only few scooters which correspond to such application. The producers think about suitable scooters for sporty men while the amount of people walking with dogs is increasing. Some of the producers could think about it and offer scooters for dog walking and longer trips with dogs.
Recent story of an accident during walk the dog is not very funny. A lady set out with scooter equipped with small wheels and poor working brakes. It ends up with a crash and injury. When having one dog only. I have usually 4 or more dogs and if everything is "as it must be" I ride safely. Jana Havlová
I would like to look at the greyhound breeding from slightly different angle than usually. From the past we know that in first half of 20th century the Englander tried first attempts to start with racing greyhounds in Czech Republic. They did not succeeded that much anyway the imported dogs stayed here. The following breeding was probably not very focused to let distinguish some of the dog´s characteristics. So before the Velvet revolution we had in Czech Republic greyhounds which could somehow race on our grass racetracks. Their speed was not were high and the dogs could survive even on low quality tracks. In the same time the dogs could get good places at shows Beauty and performance because they fit to the given standard. It is in fact dog which can do everything but not on highest level. He should have biggest chances in show Beauty and performance.
After 1989 when the borders were open the situation changed. Some breeders imported greyhounds specialized in shows with big deep chest often reaching bellow the elbow joint of the forelimb as well as much higher dogs. The dogs immediately occupied top places and other breeders lost their ranking and slowly draw off. We cannot see such greyhounds on the racetrack. Their body does not fit for high speed on the racetrack, their physiological parameters were not preferred during breeding.
Based on the preferences of some owners - who does not want to stay all day on shows - greyhound specialized in racing appeared more and more. With the increased speed on grass racetracks the amount of injured dogs increased as well. The reasons were mainly too small radius in curves, too hard surface and until know valid racing order enabling more runs during one day with short break only.
The hope came together with Mr. Pesek and the first and only one sand racetrack was built in Czech Republic. Slowly the owners of racing dogs find the way to this racetrack. Czech Greyhound Racing Club (CDGK) together with Continental Greyhound Racing Confederation (CGRC) let confirm new racing order and everything looked really well. Unfortunately - due to impact of some private persons - the racetrack was changed into "track for desirable" and closed for all other. Such situation killed greyhound racing in Czech. Even though we still have in Czech Republic excellent racing greyhounds able to achieve good results on high quality tracks in abroad. Currently CDGK organizes its races on straight uphill grass tracks so the dogs can practice without the danger of senseless injuries and go to abroad for racing on sand racetracks.
Some of the owners have greyhounds which can compete in coursing which is a bit different movement for the dog. The referee observes and scores how intelligent is the dog to follow the bait, run the curve and in the end to snatch the bait meaning show the ability for hunting.
From above mentioned you can see we have in fact 4 types of greyhounds in Czech. The differences are in body characteristics as well as in abilities given by the physiological functions. My goal is not to dispraise any type of greyhound. My goal is to draw owner's attention to it. It is important they know what dog they have at home and how to treat him.
Some owners have the wish to change the setup of their breed and they try to do breeding in such way. But in such case they cannot expect any wonder. The choice of dames and sires in Czech is small and so the resulting breed is still more or less following the previous generations meaning will have similar ability. If there are off-springs with higher speed characteristics they have just higher chance to be injured on grass racetracks. It is impossible to compare Czech breeds with the Irish breeds. In Ireland there are born about 20 000 off-springs every year. For breeding are chosen only top class dames, completely healthy with excellent character. The same choice is valid for sires as well. The choice is really great and it cannot be compared to possibilities of Czech breeders.
I have to write few words about narrow-minded pride of some breeders who believe their breed is "the best in the world". I have to point out that choice of greyhounds to be excellent in racing leads to choice of extraordinary physical features enabling extreme velocity but in the same time these dogs have big differences in physiological functions compare to normal dog´s population. Example: extremely high - more than 90% - of fast muscles fibers can lead to fast hyperacidity and rabdomiolyses, hormones value of thyroid gland is definitely different than by other dogs etc.
The activity to rescue retired or other way handicapped racing dogs in Ireland reached to Czech Republic and our owners get neutered racing greyhounds exactly with such special characteristics unlike other dogs. It is important that owners and vets pay attention to this. One important information more which is well known to top athletes. Who practiced a lot from young age and raced successfully reached top results as well thanks to genes. Due to long sport activities they have changes in physiological functions as well as in psyche. You know sport is a drug. Athlete who suddenly stops its career does not feel well, has medical troubles and soon or later returns to sport at least for fun. Sport activity usually continues to the senior age. Without this possibility physical as well psychical troubles occur.
The same happens with greyhound who practiced hard who 100% loved racing. Suddenly all is interrupted, the dog moves to new country, new environment and the new undoubtedly loving owner places him into bed and takes him carefully on the lead only. It looks to be excellent treatment but not that good for greyhound´s healthy. Another owners let the greyhound run without lead but sometimes the dog does not return by himself which creates next problem.
It is necessary to find a compromise. For example a walk with greyhound can be more interesting when using a scooter, the lead is more safe when containing flexible part made of rubber and your hands are free when having the lead of dog connected to your belt. The dog and owner move enough fast, the bodies exercise well and spent enough energy. Both are good mood and the range of your walk is increased. The owner does some kind of sport activity but he does not run out. Of course it is even better to find safe place where the dog can run without the lead. Just so for fun and he can practice or improve his condition. His bright eyes will speak clear language.
At the end I would like to make short summary: the main goal is to pay attention to the development of greyhound breeding in Czech Republic. Every owner has to realize which dog he has at home and adjust his free time activity accordingly. You cannot expect excellent performance from greyhound specialized in shows on a racetrack. You can participate with the greyhound for Beauty and performance on more activities but you have to accept the result accordingly. Real racing greyhound need real training and later the dog can participate in races on high quality sand racetrack. Jana Havlová
In the last time I can hear for me quite a lot unbelievable news. For example an announcement that a totally quiet greyhound - no hunting, no lead necessary - to be sold.
Our first greyhound Jurasek was - after the death of his owner - a decoration to antique furniture in one shop in Prague. His new owner did not have enough time for him. She took care more about lost cats and prepared a sales exhibitions. She showed Jurasek to us during a walk to Petrin (district in Prague) and I have to say Jurasek was a real DOG. He went through the city without the lead, very self-confident, avoid all traffic danger and reach the park without any doubt. A beautiful chain on neck. He fascinated with his behavior, overview and serenity. A dog without any problem.
My older daughter was keen for him and run with him and with other two whippets daily. Usually without the lead, no problems with other dogs. At home Jurasek required quiet place to sleep and rather not to disturb him.
Once I went with school to the mountains and my children stayed at home with father and grandmother only. So I do not know what happened I heard it only. But it was not funny.
During one cold day Petra run with Jurasek and two whippets for long run through Prague. She met a man looking like a hunter, with gun, wondering that the dogs are without leads. She was afraid he could shoot the dogs so she decided for small path on a border of a forest. On the other side there was a snowy field only. During winter days as usually roes grazing there. Jurasek did not wait any single second and started the hunt and one whippet followed him. Petra stayed there for a while and then she decided to return home with the other whippet.
Petra, my soon and younger daughter went on bicycles back to search for the dogs. But it took longer time because of the distance. When they arrived Jurasek and the whippet waited there already - shiver with cold, with bloody mouths but without any injury. Meaning the hunt was high probably successful. The whippet was even more days sick after this hunt. And Jurasek? As nothing happened. From his point of view he enjoyed it. I think he was that time five years old.
Conclusion for me was that dogs do not lose natural instincts. It is only matter of time when a good opportunity occurs and when his brain starts. Greyhound will high probably return to the point where he disappeared or he will return home in case he run away close to his home. But nobody can say what could happen during such escape - danger in the nature, unlucky injury or traffic in the city. J.H.
Question in Guests book about using flexible lead for greyhounds is quite interesting. so we decided to launch an enquiry.
Everybody has to realize that greyhound is a very powerful dog and an excellent sprinter. When I bought my first greyhound I had only few experience with obedience and so I decided to go to training-ground. Among other things the defense was practiced. We stand in a circle and the trainer with training sleeve and stick tried to provoke the dogs to start an attack. Some dogs were scared and almost did not attack, another dogs did quite hard. All the dogs observed the trainer only my greyhound HUCKLEBERY FIN lay on ground without any interest. He looked like he did not understand what is going on so the trainer approached him without any respect and attacked him hard. And then it happened. Half a shake only. You hardly could imagine this. My dog started without any sign from ground an counter-attack to the trainers neck. Thank heavens I had quite short lead and I was able to pull down my dog. Of course I landed on the ground. Finally nothing happened but it was the very first time I realized I have no chance to hold an starting greyhound.
During the races nobody wonder that dogs speed up from zero to ca. 60km per hour immediately. Now you can imagine what will happen with the flexi lead. It stretches, allows first steps for dog and then you have to hold the dog even with higher speed. This could end up with injured fingers or with your fall and with the dog running far away. In case the flexi lead is locked there is missing any damping element to slow down the dog and to help you to solve the situation.
That lime we learned from more experienced breeders and found out suitable solution. Lead itself is from rigid material or from climbing rope and at the end there is a strong rubber e.g. used to fix load on cars (its quality is essential). Either I hold the lead in hand or the lead is connected to wide belt. Even the dog can start the rubber will brake him and pull him back. An adult can manage easily such situation not only with one dog but even with more dogs. Such equipment is used for canicross and you can buy it usually during the racing day. It is also possible to do it at home without high expenses.
When I mentioned canicross all my family did it. We won in the past Czech Championship in Hradec Kralove. It is not necessary to think about where your dog could run. The dog more happy when you run with him. If you are older you can use a scooter. Of course with good brakes. You can stop the scooter easily and if you need you can get down fast. A bicycle on the other hand is not very suitable because an encounter with deer could end up with an bad accident. Jana Havlova
We mentioned topic of race tracks and safety race tracks on this pages already mroe times. There are many opinions and ideas what is the best for greyhounds, what is still possible, what is not enough, etc. To everybody who is interested in this topic we can recommend this report. Here you can find basic information about biomechanics of greyhounds, forces acting on the greyhound in the straight, on the bends, how to prepare track for safe running, how to maintain the track. You can also find pictures and sketches for better illustration.
We offer you after previous agreement possibility to practise on natural grass track with lenght of 200m slightly going up. This type of practising is excelent as well as considerate kind of training offen used also by couches in the world. Practising on such tracks can also dogs who cannot race on classical race tracks due to some injuries. If you are interested in it don't hesitate to contact us.
Opinion of Doc. MUDr. Jan Heller CSc. from Charles University in Prague (FTVS UK)
Chapter Greyhound racing (page 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210 ) from book Fyziologie tělesné zátěže II., speciální část - part 3, edition 1996.
Opinion from doc. Jan Melichna from Charles university in Prague (FTVS UK).
Letter from Jana Havlova sent to University in Brno and answer from prof. MVDr. Jaroslav Hanak DrSc.
Information about training and racing of greyhounds. After extreme performance could the greyhounds get so called rabdomyolyse. What is going on and which possibilities exist while reducing the efects and medical treatment of rabdomyolyse.
Basic information about racetracks in Czech Republic - czech only.
The race track in Mladé Boleslavi was completely rebuilt (status 2005). At this time has the race track following parameters: length 345 m - small breeds, 480 m - big breeds, rail, double U, radius 42 m, surface - grass.