Greyhound Blog Home       Greyhound Betting System

posted by admin on Dec 13

There’s usually a hot kennel at any dog track. Their dogs are burning up the track by winning more than their share of races. Sometimes, they’ll win several of the fifteen races on the program, one right after the other. You go over your program and look at your picks and wonder why you didn’t see it before you bet the other kennels. Geez, if you’d bet on dogs from HotBox kennel, you’d have cleaned up.

Or would you? Sure, a bunch of HotBox’s dogs came in first and second. And, yes, the kennel does seem to be on a winning streak. But before you go back to the track determined to bet on only that kennel’s dogs, let’s think this over.

No matter how hot a kennel is, it’s not going to have a winner in every race. Statistically, it might have a 30% win average, which is good. But that means that its dogs DON’T win 7 out of 10 races. And when they do win, they’re often favorites at low odds, so they don’t pay enough to cover the times they don’t win.

Now I’m not saying you shouldn’t keep track of the kennel standings, especially the ones that aren’t doing as well. I think it’s more important to notice a kennel that might have problems with sickness or poor quality dogs or maybe they’ve just wormed all their dogs which can affect their racing performance significantly. But I don’t obsess over it. It’s not a major consideration for me when I handicap the dogs.

My main considerations are the same no matter which kennel the dog comes from. (See my article on Handicapping to Beat the Competition). Class, Post Position Preference, Running Style and Pace of the race are my main considerations. If the dog that has the best of all of the above is from a hot kennel, that’s all the better, although it might lower the odds and make it pay less if it wins. Still, you have to play them the way you handicap them.

Kennels have streaks, just like dogs and bettors do. Trying to pick winners on the basis of kennel standings just doesn’t pay. One thing that does pay is picking a good handicapping method or system.

Before you go to the dog track, find out why smart handicappers are checking out the free articles, tips and Winning Greyhound Systems at http://ebnetr.com

posted by admin on Dec 12

The Italian Greyhound is a hound of diminutive size that has become the darling of the apartment dwellers in many large cities. Today It is often pictured in the arms of fashion models or carried by movie stars wearing fancy jeweled coats and collars. This is one of the first breeds in history to be exclusively bred as a companion dog. As early as the 16th century there are records of Italian Greyhounds being present in the royal courts of Spain and Italy. Paintings and sculptures glorifying this dog have been done by such well known artists as Botticelli, Giotto and Bosch. The little dogs could be found in the courts of James I of England, Francis I of France, Catherine the Great, Queen Victoria and Frederick the Great of Russia. The high stepping little dog was much admired by the royalty of many countries and through many centuries. An Italian Greyhound named Djali can be found as a companion to the fictional heroine Madame Bovary in the novel by Gustave Flaubert.

The tiny Italian Greyhound for a time became almost too small (10 inches) and began to show signs of dwarfism in the late 1800s. However by the 1950s the breed began to “stabilize” and by 1968 the first Italian Greyhound standard was written and since then the breed has remained firmly true to form and structure as described in the standard.

Experts agree that the Italian Greyhound was bred down from the greyhound and in most respects is a smaller version of the Greyhound. The height is usually 13-15 inches. It has the typical Greyhound look of sleek “racy” lines, with a fine head and beautifully expressive eyes. In temperament it also resembles the Greyhound, for it is a dog that enjoys being with people and being pampered, it is a quiet and gentle dog that generally gets along with other dogs and is mannerly and affectionate.

The IG as it is often called is a small dog that is exceedingly fine boned. Obviously care needs to be taken that it never jumps off of furniture as it could damage itself easily. Also this is a breed that is prone to chills and it needs to wear a coat in winter and should be carried rather than allowed to wade through snow drifts in the wintertime and it should be exercised indoors. A benefit of its size is that it can be paper trained or litter trained much like a cat.. This is a dog that is quite delicate in some respects. Often with small breeds people do tend to carry the dog too much and it is important the the dog be allowed to exercise adequately. Like all canines the dog needs to develop muscle power and needs to be allowed to explore its environment and “be a dog”. However like many of the finer sight hound breeds from the Mediterranean, including its larger cousin the Greyhound, the Italian Greyhound is fine skinned and it should not be allowed to run in areas with thorns and brambles, as breeders report that its skin will easily tear when it runs into things.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Dogs

posted by admin on Dec 11

I used to know a guy who would come up to me before a race, run his finger down his program and say, “You know who’s gonna win this race? I’ll tell you who’s gonna win this race.” Then he’d pause and look serious and say, “The 3 is gonna win. He’s a standout. A cinch. He’s so much better than the other dogs, they shouldn’t even be in the same race with him.” And then he’d go away and do the same thing with someone else.

I probably don’t have to tell you that his dogs almost never came in. That didn’t stop him from using his handicapping method, which I call “handicapping in a vacuum”, because he’d focus in on one dog and ignore the other 7, like it was the only dog in the race.

Sure, there are races where one dog stands out from the rest to the point where, at first glance, it looks – like the wiseguys say – as if he’s the only dog in the race. But take a second look and in most races, it’s not as simple as it seems to pick one standout dog. For one thing, no matter how good a dog looks in his 6 previous races, this is a whole ‘nother race.

Maybe he has great times. Maybe he always breaks first and is almost always “first to turn” (if you’re lucky enough to be able to tell that from your track’s program), but that doesn’t mean he’ll break first or get to the turn first in this race. The track might be slower or wet or just raked. He might not like the box he’s in. He might get blocked or shuffled back or cut off by another dog.

In every race, it’s my firm opinion that you have to handicap every dog against every other dog, not just for how good it was in its last 6 races. You have to figure out how this race is going to be run for pace, for running style of each dog and for conflicts of running style between the dogs. This is why I handicap “backwards”, so to speak, and try to eliminate at least half the dogs before I look for the strongest contender.

And, even then, I hardly ever play one dog to win. I almost always box four of them in a quiniela. If I’m ahead, I may get a little crazy and play them in a ten cent superfecta. About the only time I play a win bet is on one of the dogs that I follow closely and the older I get, the fewer of them I follow. It’s just too much to keep track of.

So look at the big picture in every race and don’t just focus on one dog, no matter how good it looks at first glance. Look again and make sure you don’t overlook the other dogs. No matter how much better one dog looks than the others, when the boxes open, every one of those eight dogs will come out determined to “catch the bunny” and none of them is out of the question until the race is official.

Improve your handicapping skills with free info, articles and Winning Greyhound Systems at http://ebnetr.com

posted by admin on Dec 10

There’s usually a hot kennel at any dog track. Their dogs are burning up the track by winning more than their share of races. Sometimes, they’ll win several of the fifteen races on the program, one right after the other. You go over your program and look at your picks and wonder why you didn’t see it before you bet the other kennels. Geez, if you’d bet on dogs from HotBox kennel, you’d have cleaned up.

Or would you? Sure, a bunch of HotBox’s dogs came in first and second. And, yes, the kennel does seem to be on a winning streak. But before you go back to the track determined to bet on only that kennel’s dogs, let’s think this over.

No matter how hot a kennel is, it’s not going to have a winner in every race. Statistically, it might have a 30% win average, which is good. But that means that its dogs DON’T win 7 out of 10 races. And when they do win, they’re often favorites at low odds, so they don’t pay enough to cover the times they don’t win.

Now I’m not saying you shouldn’t keep track of the kennel standings, especially the ones that aren’t doing as well. I think it’s more important to notice a kennel that might have problems with sickness or poor quality dogs or maybe they’ve just wormed all their dogs which can affect their racing performance significantly. But I don’t obsess over it. It’s not a major consideration for me when I handicap the dogs.

My main considerations are the same no matter which kennel the dog comes from. (See my article on Handicapping to Beat the Competition). Class, Post Position Preference, Running Style and Pace of the race are my main considerations. If the dog that has the best of all of the above is from a hot kennel, that’s all the better, although it might lower the odds and make it pay less if it wins. Still, you have to play them the way you handicap them.

Kennels have streaks, just like dogs and bettors do. Trying to pick winners on the basis of kennel standings just doesn’t pay. One thing that does pay is picking a good handicapping method or system.

Before you go to the dog track, find out why smart handicappers are checking out the free articles, tips and Winning Greyhound Systems at http://ebnetr.com

posted by admin on Dec 10

Is it possible to make a living at the track? Well, I’d have to say, yes, because I know several people who do just that. How do they do it? That’s the downside to making a living at the track. They work at it – harder than they’d work at a 9-5 job.

One of them, a young woman who started playing the dogs when she worked as a lead-out to help put herself through college, is very successful. She’s also very disciplined. She gets up early in the morning to get the programs for the four tracks she plays and often doesn’t go to bed until after the track closes in the wee hours of the morning.

She pores over the programs and all the other data she needs to handicap. Then she picks her bets, but is prepared to be flexible if things change. That’s why she doesn’t just put her bets down and go off to the mall for the day. She calls her system The Gestalt System. Hey, I told you she was going to college.

What she means is that she considers the whole “gestalt” or pattern of events that’s taking place at the track at the time that she makes her bets. Her theory is that every race program is unique and has a pattern and if you can find that pattern, you can make money. All I know is that it works for her and someday when she writes it up maybe I can figure out how it works and share it with you. But, for now, all I can tell you is that she works her patoot off to make money. The dog track is her life and she has no time for a social life or friends or anything else, except handicapping.

That’s not for me, although I’ve lived off my track winnings in the past and they certainly supplement my living now. What you have to do to make a living at the track is too much like work, if you ask me. It takes all the fun out of it to my mind. Nope, I’d rather enjoy myself at the track without the pressure of having to earn my daily bread by picking the right dogs.

That doesn’t mean that I don’t intend to make money when I go to the dog track. But it does mean that I make sure there’s money in the bank to pay my bills before I take off for the track. It also means that I get to spend what I win on fun stuff instead of bills and groceries. I guess I’m just a loafer when it comes to making bread at the track.

If you’re not winning at the track, you need to visit Eb’s Winning Greyhound Systems where you can find free tips and information to help you win at the dog track. From Florida to New Hampshire and all the tracks in between, Eb knows greyhounds. Find out what you need to know to win at Eb’s.

posted by admin on Dec 9

The last few months have seen the unveiling of new Spring and Summer collections at pet couture shows in cities across the globe. Getting things rolling at the top end of the market was the famous Harrods Department Store in London which held its fifth annual Pet-à-Porter dog fashion show in November. The theme of the show was ‘Diamond Dogs’ and one of the highlights was a spectacular Stephen Webster diamond and precious jewel dog collar worth over half a million pounds. Other designs incorporated pearls, sapphires, and rubies. Hundreds of people turned out to sip champagne and nibble on canapés at Harrods while watching the well behaved dog models (and their human companions) strut down the runway wearing outfits by top designers including Ben de Lisi and Vivienne Westwood. After two hours of dazzling dog fashion, guests left with an exclusive doggy bag full of treats for those furry friends who couldn’t attend the show.

Tokyo is another up-and-coming centre of dog fashion where canine couture is particularly popular. Walking through the city’s parks you will rarely see a dog that isn’t dressed to the nines and perfectly accessorized, and some Tokyo owners are known to have several dozen different outfits for their dogs. Tokyo also hosted Japan’s first New Year Dog Party in January. The event featured activities such as dog yoga, photo sessions, gourmet dog food bars, and fashion shows with human and dog models strutting down the runway in matching outfits by top international designers. Highlights of the show included a $20,000 diamond-encrusted leather doggie jacket modelled by a dachshund and a gold and silver coloured jacket with Swarovski crystals for $5,000. Other canine uber-models included shih-tzus in biker jackets, poodles in polka dot dresses, bull dogs in sailor suits, a poodle dressed as Audrey Hepburn, greyhounds in rasta hats, a maltese in a denim body suit and yellow boots, and even a dog in a neon green wig. The two day event attracted crowds of up to 20,000 people who enjoyed themselves almost as much as all the dogs who welcomed the chance to socialise, enjoy the aromatherapy spas, sniff, do a little yoga, perhaps compete in a speed-eating contest, and of course – show off their latest outfit.

New York is naturally at the forefront of dog fashion and it is the site of Pet Fashion Week New York, an annual event since 2006. In addition to the runway shows, this event features a lifestyle tradeshow, a black tie fundraiser for charity, and awards ceremonies. The show is held in August and last summer some of the most outrageous fashions were provided by Isle of Dogs whose canine and human models ranged from visions of post-apocalyptic, metallic silver and purple robots to a pink chiffon Mary Poppins accompanied by a teacup poodle with pink highlights and a sparkling princess crown. Other designers showcased leopard print and denim combinations, ruffled dresses and even a yorkie wearing a white angel outfit with feathers and wings.

So – what fashion trends emerged from these shows? Well here’s a rundown of what’s in for pet couture this Spring.

Pink is as hot as ever this Spring season but with a new twist of pretty floral patterns, ruffles, lace and appliqué detail, polka dots, metallic fabrics and accessories. For a fresh Spring look and feel, soft sheer fabrics combined with cotton and linen will feature and yellow will be popular alongside contrasting black and white, colours that suit dogs of all shapes and sizes. Shades of green will also be popular as the more environmentally friendly hemp will be making an impact amongst more eco-conscious owners in the coming months.

White will also feature strongly this Spring/Summer season for both boy and girl dogs with smocking and puff sleeve detail making an appearance as well. Making a comeback this season are soft cosy pajamas, and they’re not just for casual home wear – pet parents wearing matching pj’s are predicted to be a new street-wear trend combining style with comfort. For cooler days, stylish warmth will be provided by cotton hoodies, soft knit jumpers and ponchos in pastel shades of pink and green.

Dog Tee’s with slogans are always popular. This Spring, Tee’s with leopard trim are predicted to be a big hit along with Tee’s with chiffon trim for girls and skull and heart designs for boys. And finally, pet parents of big dogs will be finding it easier to dress their dogs in the latest funky trends this year as more and more pet fashion designers are including big dog sizes in their lines.

That’s the story from the runways around the world, we here at Paris Pooch Pet Boutique hope you all have a colourful and fun season this Spring! Written by: Lisa Magill, Paris Pooch Online Pet Boutique (a chic and fun Irish online pet boutique – we ship all over the world) http://www.parispooch.ie

The information for this article was gathered from the following sources: Arnold, M. In Tokyo, High Fashion is going to the Dogs. The Wall Street Journal, Feb. 1, 2008.

Demetriou, D. Pet Fashion Trends. Independent News and Media Limited, 2008.

Nagata, K. Canine style unleashed as dogs hit catwalks in Tokyo. The Japan Times, Jan. 13, 2008.

http://www.petfashionweek.com

Pet Style News. Feb.2008

Lisa Magill,
Paris Pooch Online Pet Boutique
(a chic and fun Irish online pet boutique that ships all over the world)
http://www.parispooch.ie

posted by admin on Dec 7

Pet shops can stock many types of collars and leads. Generally, your choice will depend on what you prefer, but there are a few points to take into consideration.

Leads (leashes), collars and harnesses are usually made from rope, leather, chain or nylon webbing.

Choosing Your Lead

Leather and Chain Leads: If you dog is one of the large breeds, you would be advised to select a strong lead made of leather or chain with a leather handle. Dogs that chew their leads will also benefit a chain lead.

Nylon leads: These are lightweight leads and usually washable, so they are useful to put in your pocket on a long walk or in case of an emergency.

Rope Leads: Slip leads (with a loop that goes around the dog’s neck) and showing leads are often made from soft rope.

Retractable leads: Some dogs need to be kept on their lead at all times e.g young or untrained dogs, deaf, blind or elderly dogs. Retractable leads are usually made from thin nylon rope or webbing on a spool that can extend 4 to 6 metres. This allows the dog to explore when out walking and allows you to keep control.

Choosing Your Collar

Leather collars: These are strong and durable and most dogs find them comfortable as they do not chafe the neck when fitted correctly. They are available in several styles – rolled, flat, studded etc. A leather collar 12mm wide is adequate for most dogs (larger breeds, bull terriers, greyhounds etc may need a wider collar – 2.5 to 4cm is usually suitable)

Nylon Collars: Smaller breeds are more suited to nylon collars as they are less durable than leather. They can also cause rubbing on the neck, especially if the dog pulls on the lead.

Chain Collars: These are made from several rows of chain with a buckle and leather strap. Care should be taken to use the correct size as they may pinch the skin of the dog’s neck if too narrow.

Check Chains (Choke Chain): I advise against using a check chain unless absolutely necessary as very few people know how to fit and use them correctly. Half-check collars (a nylon band with a chain attached) are minimally better. They are a training aid only and should only be used when walking or training.

Puppy’s First Collar and Lead Arrived at that momentous time when you buy your puppy’s first collar and lead? Here are some safety points to remember:-

• Do not fasten the collar too tightly – make sure you can fit three fingers under it.
• Never use a check chain on a young puppy – they can damage the pup’s neck.
• Keep an eye on your puppy especially at first as sometimes they try and rub the collar off and can get it caught on anything projecting.
• Even when the puppy is very young, its a good idea to attach the lead to the collar and make it into a game – the puppy will get used to the feel of the lead and it will be easier for you when the time comes to start training.

Finally, remember to check your dog’s collar and lead regularly for damaged stitching or wear and replace it before it breaks.

Trish, a registered RCVS Veterinary Nurse, was in practice for many years and now runs Lets Talk About Pets community blog and Pet Talk newsletter for pet owners and also supplies ethical pet supplies

http://www.alphapets.weblodge.net

To subscribe to Lets Talk About Pets & Pet Talk http://www.yourspecialinterest.com/alphapets/optin.htm

Visit Lets Talk About Pets community blog http://www.alphapetblog.blogspot.com

posted by admin on Dec 6

I Know Dogs

An article appeared in Star Tribune newspaper regarding dog team sports… Flyball.

“Flyball races consist of teams of four dogs and their handlers. One by one, the dogs race over a 51 foot course that requires each dog to jump a series of four hurdles, step on a box that triggers a tennis ball to pop out, catch the ball and return back over the course with the ball in it’s mouth and cross the line to start he next dog’s leg of the relay.”

The goal is for the first team to finish without any errors to win the race. Many teams complete the course in 20 seconds, with the world record nearing the 15-second mark.

In 2007 there was a total of 342 tourneys entered with 8,360 teams from 358 Clubs. The events attracted over 5,000 different dogs representing 146 breeds. While any breed or mix can participate, the small to mid-sized dogs have an advantage due to the hurdle height and raceway dimensions. Five of the top 10 dogs last year were Border collies. “

I love those Border collies. (What about solo sports for dogs?)

My reaction to Flyball is what can the ordinary dog owner do to for his Fido? A dog you don’t have to especially train for teamwork and still have fun and exercise. I suppose you could organize a special race for dachshunds (which would have to be a very short one with low hurdles), a special race for Bischons and Poodles with mirrors for grooming glances, and a long course for Greyhounds using a track meet stopwatch.

St. Bernard’s could carry a rescue doll instead of a ball, and a rat terrier could carry a dead mouse. (Just kidding.)

There are many sports that feature agility, fetching, speed, and conformation. Local clubs would be the most help here. Call The North American Flyball Association for clubs near you.

All dogs are above average in their own way.

Miss Daisy, Roving Reporter Reporting

Robert is editor of Dog Biscuit Gazette, dog lover grandiose, educator, and professional speaker.

Miss Daisy, from Embarrass, MN, is a roving reporter and writer for the Gazette. Being an above average dog she belongs to MENSA For Dogs and reports tips for dogs and owners.

Daisy knows dogs. Order her FREE 40 page PDF Dog Biscuit Manual.http://www.digitaldataplease.com/DogBiscuitGazette/Dog_Biscuit_eBook.htm

Learn more: http://www.digitaldataplease.com/DogBiscuitGazette

posted by admin on Dec 5

As the song goes, “Fast horses win races” and so do fast dogs. So maybe we’re all over-complicating this handicapping thing. Maybe we should just go to the dog track, pick the fastest dog in each race and play it to win. Many people do just that, but I don’t think you’ll find them cashing a whole lot of winning tickets.

And the ones they do cash probably won’t pay diddly, because time is pretty obvious. Even greyhound handicapping newbies know how to find the time of the last race for each dog. It’s right there in the program next to their final position in their last race.

In some races, there’s one dog who had a very fast time in its last race, compared to the dogs he’s running against today. Lots of bettors will notice it and play the dog and then be surprised when he doesn’t beat the pants off the other dogs or have as fast a time as he did in his last race. But to seasoned veterans of the dog track, it’s not surprising. They know that time isn’t an isolated factor in greyhound handicapping.

Time is relative. You don’t have to be an Einstein to figure that out. Consider how fast the average person can run on different surfaces, on different days and against other runners. Compare the hard surface of a tar road or running track to the soft, deep sand of a beach.

Think about the difference between how well you do when you’re having a day where your mood and your body are at their best. Then think of how hard it is to get going when you’re tired and stiff and worried or coming down with a cold.

And consider the people you know and think about whether you could beat them in a race. You might be able to beat Aunt Mabel and her wheeled walker, but what about your 18 yr old nephew who’s suddenly discovered that he can run like the wind if he puts his mind and heart into it?

It’s the same with dogs. Every time they go out onto the track, there are several variables that affect how fast they’ll run in that race. The most important is probably their condition. Are they in top form? Did they get a good night’s sleep? Are they coming down with anything? Did they just get wormed? Any and all of these things affect them and will determine whether they give it their best or just put in a dull effort.

Short of working at a kennel or owning a dog so you can sit with the “dogmen” and get all the latest info on what shape their dogs are in, which I’ve done in the past, there’s just no way for the average bettor to know what condition a dog is in. That’s why time isn’t what you should base your handicapping on.

When I handicap a race, I look at the dogs’ times, of course, but I don’t give it a lot of weight. I have no way of knowing what condition the track was in when they had a good time or a bad time or whether conditions will be right today for them to repeat that fast time. So, I handicap in my usual way, taking into account class, post position, how the dogs will affect each other’s running style and what I think the pace of the race will be.

There are only a couple of situations where I consider time to be of some importance, but I’ll leave that for another post. For now, let’s just say that in 99% of races the only time that’s important is the time on the board at the end of the race when your picks cross the wire ahead of all the other dogs.

Before you go to the dog track, find out why smart handicappers are checking out the free articles, tips and Winning Greyhound Systems at http://ebnetr.com

posted by admin on Dec 4

When I first started going to the track, greyhound racing was in its glory days. They still paraded the dogs to the starting boxes with a post parade and even played march music when they did it. The bettors paid attention too, because there were no simulcasts, slots or poker rooms to distract them. Greyhound handicappers watched each race carefully, made notes on their programs and some of them even kept track of First to Turn Times.

Purely by accident, the area I chose to sit in up in the grandstand was where the kennel owners and dog handlers sat. They’d talk about their dogs and I’d listen and pick up tips that you just can’t get without listening to insiders. I didn’t do it on purpose, but it was a lucky break and has a lot to do with my attitude toward winning at the dog track.

What insider information did I learn? Well, I don’t remember all of it. I’ve learned so much over the last 30 some-odd years that I’m not sure where it all came from. But here are a few insider tips that I picked up from the kennel owners and dog trainers.

Young dogs need more running room than older, seasoned dogs. So if you see a young dog with good early speed in the 8 box, give him a close look. If he can outbreak the other dogs, he has a good chance of running away with the race.

If there’s a lot of early speed in a race, look for a dog who can close at the end of the race. Many times, the speedballs burn each other out and the closer gets in there at the end.

If a young dog wins within 3 races of starting in M, bet it in its first race in J or D, whichever the racing secretary puts it in, at least in quinielas.

Never bet a young dog in its first race in A or AA, whichever is the top grade at the track. No matter how good it looks, it has a very small chance of running in the money in its first race.

Big, male dogs often take longer to get into their stride, as puppies, than smaller females. They mature more slowly but may still turn out to be good dogs. Because they take so long to get out of M, they may be good bets when they start running closer to the winners. Keep an eye on them.

The best distance dogs are often small females, and they very often have long careers. If you look at route races, it’s interesting how many times a female wins. Keep an eye on them, especially if they have a few shorter sprint races to “freshen them up”.

I can’t tell you how many times knowing these few things has helped me win at the dog track. They don’t always work, but they work often enough to make them worth knowing. They’re something to keep in mind when you’re handicapping the dogs.

Before you go to the dog track, find out why smart handicappers are checking out the free articles, tips and Winning Greyhound Systems at http://ebnetr.com