Better Breeding

Breeding greyhounds can be one of the most rewarding experiences in the sport, however, if a litter is unsuccessful it can prove an extremely costly exercise.

A common thread among breeders that enjoy long-term success is that they understand the importance of spending a lot of time and money on their investment.

Click on the stories below to gain an insight into the success of some of Victoria’s most successful greyhound breeders.

BETTER BREEDING AUDIOS

Peter Knott

20 Mar 2018
“When selecting a sire I use the services of Pedigrees By Design, which is run by David Brasch in Queensland. For a small fee of $110, David does all the homework for you.” Full story

Karen Leek

13 Mar 2018
“Rearing is such an integral part of a greyhound’s life and can be the difference between winning races and not making it to the racetrack at all.” Full story

Angela Langton

27 Feb 2018
“I believe you have to be very selective with the greyhounds you choose to breed with. I like to breed with hard-chasing dams who can run 500 metres or further.” Full story

Peter Martinovic

20 Feb 2018
“We get them playing with a toy or a squeaker from about six months of age. You need to work out what is going to make them grab that toy and really want it.” Full story

Rose Geall

6 Feb 2018
“Most pups don’t like being handled purely by a collar (without a lead), and it can lower their confidence and make it harder to break them in.” Full story

Noel Mugavin

29 Jan 2018
“You’ve got to make they have room to run to develop their muscles and bones. It’s also important to worm them out regularly and ensure they don’t have fleas.” Full story

Darren Puleio

22 Jan 2018
“Before they are opening their eyes we get them used to being picked up and we touch their feet regularly. It makes it easier when it’s time to cut their nails later on.” Full story

BETTER BREEDING VIDEOS

Breeding: Breeding to sires with international bloodlines

Multiple Group 1 winning Victorian greyhound breeder and rearer Barry Smith on how applying the principles of breeding with dairy cattle has helped him produce winners on the racetrack.

Breeding: Selecting a sire

Multiple Group 1 winning Victorian greyhound breeder and rearer Barry Smith reveals the single most important quality to look for in a stud dog.

Breeding: Interacting with pups

Multiple Group 1 winning Victorian greyhound breeder and rearer Barry Smith on the importance of bonding with pups and how disciplining them is detrimental to their racing prospects.

Breeding: Housing and exercising pups

Multiple Group 1 winning Victorian greyhound breeder and rearer Barry Smith on the housing of his pups and the role of exercise during the rearing period.

Breeding: Lead training and gamesmanship

Multiple Group 1 winning Victorian greyhound breeder and rearer Barry Smith on teaching pups to walk on a lead and the use of squeakers and the bullring during the rearing phase.

Breeding: Choosing a pup

Multiple Group 1 winning Victorian greyhound breeder and rearer Barry Smith on selecting a pup among its littermates and how much to read into breaking-in times.

Breeding: Broodmatrons and young pups

Multiple Group 1 winning Victorian breeder and rearer Barry Smith on caring for broodmatrons and young pups. Read more.

Breeding: The cost of breeding greyhounds

Multiple Group 1 winning Victorian breeder and rearer Barry Smith on the financial cost of breeding a litter. Read more.

Breeding: The basics of successful greyhound breeding

Multiple Group 1 winning Victorian greyhound breeder and rearer Barry Smith on the commitment and sacrifice required to breed greyhounds successfully. Read more.