NSW greyhound breeding surges 22% according to new GWIC stats

The NSW Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Commission (GWIC) has reported a 22% increase in greyhound whelpings compared to the 16/17 financial year.

Chief Executive Officer, Judy Lind, said the Commission's data shows a 22% increase in puppies whelped since 2016-17 following the Government's initial decision to ban the sport.

“These statistics demonstrate the commitment of NSW breeders to sustaining the industry as it undergoes reforms and a renewed confidence in our industry,” Ms Lind said.

GWIC claim to have have met with a number of breeders throughout the state to understand where the industry is at currently, and what strategies need to be in place to ensure a prosperous and sustainable future with integrity and welfare at the forefront.

“At the moment we are seeing smaller fields and fewer races at some race meetings which can be attributed to the decline in breeding that followed the Government's announcement in 2015 to ban NSW greyhound racing.”

“The greyhounds that were whelped in that period are now at prime racing age and they are the greyhounds that are making up the shorter fields.”

Data from the last twelve months shows that this should begin to improve in the next two years, as pups bred since the formation of the Commission reach racing age.

The Commission has emphasised that while an increase in litters born is good for the industry, the focus now should be on quality breeding.

“It's important that there is a focus on the genetics, sound pedigrees and performance to ensure breeders are producing strong, healthy greyhounds who have every chance of making it to the track and then into retirement without injury,” Ms Lind said.

The Commission continues to monitor breeding trends in NSW, including the tracking of pups as they reach various milestones.

“The Commission now has in place ways of tracking the whereabouts of greyhounds as they grow, this will ensure we have knowledge of any pups that don't reach the track and can gain an understanding of what is planned for their future.”