Dog Racing Bets: What You Need to Know About Dogs and Races
A dog is a man's best friend, there's no arguing with that. However, few people know that our four-legged companions have many functions. Dog sledding is a common form of transport among northern peoples, and in English-speaking countries, dog racing is a popular pastime. What makes this unusual sport so interesting, and why do British gentlemen bet large sums on these races?
How Did Dog Racing Begin?
England is the birthplace of dog racing—this country has always been good at inventing new forms of entertainment, especially when the sun is scarce on major holidays. The first races have over two centuries of history.
Over time, this new sport spread across the European continent, and canine tracks, where races were held, appeared. In Russia, the sport arrived in the 1930s, but it couldn’t take root. It wasn’t until the late 20th century that interest in dog racing was revived, and the Association of Greyhound Racing Fans was even formed.
Rules of Dog Races
Dog races have many similarities to traditional horse races, with the main difference being that dogs need extra "motivation"—a mechanical lure, such as a hare or other prey, that runs ahead of them. The four-legged competitors try their best to catch up. Canidromes are oval arenas where the dogs race. The condition for winning is simple: be the first to reach the designated place.
In European countries, dog races have replaced hunting. Hunting dog breeds develop their natural instincts, and no animals are harmed, making dog racing a humane form of entertainment. Greyhounds are typically used for races, though other hunting dog breeds are also suitable for this sport.
Classification and Categories of Dog Races
Beginners often get confused by the different classes of dog races. It’s important to pay attention to the labels.
For example, Class A includes races ranging from 380 to 520 meters, and next to the class label, there may be numbers from 1 to 11, indicating the average speed with which dogs complete the race. In Classes A1 to A3, dogs reach an average speed of 39 miles per hour. Classes A4 to A6 represent an average speed of 38 miles per hour, while Classes A7 to A11 show dogs running at an average speed of 35-37 miles per hour.
Other classifications include:
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Class N - races that involve obstacles.
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Class HR - slower dogs get a head start.
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Class OR - amateur races or events involving participants from other associations.
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Class T - exhibition races, where bettors cannot place wagers.
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Class D - races between 200 to 300 meters.
These are the main classes, but some events may have additional labels. Therefore, a knowledgeable bettor must understand the specifics of each race in order to not just place bets, but to win at this sport.
Dog Racing Bets: Secrets and Tactics
For a successful bettor, it’s important to conduct a quality analysis of the race before placing a bet. This includes considering:
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The dog’s age: In shorter races, experienced dogs are usually faster, but younger dogs have an advantage in longer races.
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Fatigue: If multiple races are held on the same day, dogs may not have enough time to recover.
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Track position: Dogs can perform better on inner or outer tracks.
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Weather conditions: In bad weather, outsiders may gain an advantage or even level the playing field with favorites.
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Speed statistics: Even though dogs’ speeds are generally similar, the bettor can study which dogs consistently show the best speed.
It is recommended that a bettor first observe a few races and review statistical data before placing a bet.
Types of Dog Racing Bets
Dog racing is a unique sport, so bookmakers offer unusual bet types. Some of the most popular ones are:
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Win Bet: The simplest bet is to pick the winner of a race, typically involving 6-8 greyhounds. This is called the "Win Only" bet in Australia terminology. There is also the reverse bet, where the bettor chooses a dog that, in their opinion, will definitely not win.
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Place Bet: This type of bet, known as "Show" in English, is where the bettor predicts that the selected dog will place in one of the top three positions.
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Place Only Bet: This bet is for the bettor who believes the dog will finish either first or second.
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Forecast Bet: This is one of the more difficult bets to predict. The bettor needs to pick both the winner and the dog that will finish second, with the exact order of finishing. If the positions are reversed, the bet is lost.
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Exacta or Trifecta Bet: These are even more challenging. The bettor can predict the first three (Trifecta) or even four (Supertrifecta) positions in exact order. The odds on these results are the highest.
How to Make the Right Dog Racing Bets: Pre-Race Strategy
Several effective strategies exist for making bets on dog races:
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The bettor selects dogs that have not raced more than twice during the day. The dogs should not have finished in last place in previous races. The bettor then places a bet on the victory of those dogs. Since odds for favorites in dog races start at 2.5, betting on a middle-ranked dog can yield a significant return.
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Bettors can also place bets on outsiders who show lower average speeds. Although victories for outsiders are rare, they do happen under specific conditions, and the odds for such outcomes can be as high as 30.00 or more, offering a nice cushion for any previous losses.
In addition to analyzing statistical data, a bettor must also understand where to place bets on dog racing, as not all bookmakers include this sport in their event listings.
Where to Bet on Dog Racing?
Not all bookmakers offer dog racing, but at Microgaming gambling sites, the range of events and results is quite broad. Even bets on classes where dogs start with a handicap are available. You can also find dog racing among the event listings at Marathonbet, though it only offers betting on a few races. In general, many bookmakers tend to neglect this discipline, which is steadily growing in popularity. The best betting options for dog racing can be found at Microgaming gambling sites.
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