In this section, I discuss the gender and breeding lines of greyhounds and explain how to calculate the number of weeks out of season.
knowing whether a greyhound is male or female is very important as it indicates to the overall consistency of performance. The vast majority of races worldwide take place with both dogs and bitches competing against each other at various distances and grades.
Dogs are generally thought more consistent and best suited to sprint and middle-distances. There are always exceptions to the rule!
Bitches on the other hand are much harder to train, as race schedules are continuely interrupted when a bitch goes into season (Ssn) and shall be withdrawn from all her racing activities for at least 21 days under GBGB Rule 56 or until the track veterinary surgeon is satisfied she's fit to race. Although, usually they will be 'off the track' for at least 8 - 10 weeks.
Once a racing bitch is retired to the paddock and put to a sire for breeding she becomes a 'brood' and will be called a 'dam' after whelping her first litter. When studying form all regular 'race-goers' will pay particular attention to the 'breeding lines' of all competing greyhounds and should always note when a former 'top class bitch' has produced offspring to a 'classic winning sire'. Although there can be no guarantees when it comes to breeding, these much sought after young saplings with famous pedigrees are said to be "bred in the purple" and will share similar colourings and markings and display 'racing traits' common to either their sire or dam - racing styles, distances etc.
In UK greyhound form: d = Dog and b = Bitch and is usually located left of the sires name and is preceded by abbreviated letters referring to its colour: bk. d. = black dog, w.bd.b. = white brindle bitch, f.w.b. = fawn white bitch, be.d. = blue dog etc.
In American racing form stats (m) = male dog and (f) = female dog.
Now check the formlines and enter Dog or Bitch
If you have selected Bitch - The following question will be asked:
Knowing the 'season date' will give a clue to the general level of fitness. Most bitches returning from a seasonal rest will be 'race rusty' and perhaps due to the lactose - sugary substance contained in milk - build up in their systems, may be carrying a little extra weight. After a few trials and races these 'seasoned bitches' will show signs of returning to peak form - change in running style, faster sectionals, improvement in racetimes etc.
It is generally thought the 'perfect-time' for a greyhound bitch to be approaching peak fitness is 16 weeks out of season. Although, some win races sooner perhaps at 14 weeks, while others may indeed be slower 'coming to hand' and take longer to find their top form, perhaps 18-24 weeks.
Please note: when 'female dogs' start to perform better, they often run well for a number of weeks and may continue to improve, as overall they follow their own natural cycle of either 'coming into form' or 'going out of form'. As the old greyhound adage says "It always pays to follow a bitch in form!".
Now check the formlines again.
The seasonal date is usually found next to the 'whelping date' eg: MAY 21 (Season 03 AUG 23).
Occasionally a heavily raced bitch may be irregular in her seasonal dates, which may result in two or three seasons occurring in any one given year. Although, one of these maybe a 'false heat' where no results would come from breeding and some don't have a season at all.
Season Unknown - If No Season Date (nsd) appears in the racing form, then select Not Known.
Season Suppressed - Greyhound trainers may sometimes administer 'suppressants' to certain older bitches in-order to delay a season from occurring. This allows them to continue racing 'on the track' rather then being sidelined for many weeks 'off the track' due to an enforced seasonal rest.
If the raceform abbreviation (Ssn Sup) is shown or if a bitch has been 'spayed' then select Suppressed.
Seasonal Date Known - If you have selected Known - The following question will be asked:
To answer this question simply calculate the approximate number of weeks that have elapsed since the last seasonal date occurred!
Alternatively, if you decide she's 'in-form' running well, then enter 16 weeks out of season! GREYHOUND PREDICTOR will then simulate her best form. Or if she's not running well, simply leave the seasonal weeks blank! The PREDICTOR will then simulate her running 'below par' or being 'out of form'.
Now enter the number of weeks.
Next Page: Greyhound Age
