> when we talk about eliminating track racing, we are therefore talking about eliminating the breed from existence
I am struggling with this logic. It's not like the dogs themselves will be put to death. We won't be selectively breeding them anymore other than to enjoy their company.
I agree with his point that in a few generations, greyhounds will be a lot less common to see if there isn't strong interest in breeding them for companionship. They aren't particularly fashionable (like a Corgi), or useful (like a Shepherd). It wouldn't be the first breed to go nearly extinct due to a lack of interest.
That's great and all, but there are other externalities that GP was referring to. Animal wellbeing doesn't mean a whole lot if all the animals have died out.
The issue you usually run into is that the alternative isn't breeding for health or happiness, it's breeding for some arbitrary "standard" of aesthetics. It results in substantially less healthy animals (see: bulldog, German shepherd dog, for examples).
It's no different than mourning the old 90's internet or music from a certain era. A thing gp loves about the world will diminish drastically because it's no longer viable, and they're going to miss it when it's gone. Makes sense to me.
You can keep the breed alive using time/money too. Make a YouTube channel about the breed, ask for donations from like minded people or use your own money to breed them etc
But it won't be gone. Greyhounds will continue to exist because people like them merely as companion animals and not for their racing or hunting skills.
Breeds have absolutely vanished in the past(1). It takes an awful lot of effort to breed dogs and if there isn't money in it most breeders won't. Without the main financial incentive it's not crazy to think that within a human generation everyone who did it for money will have moved on and anyone who did it for love will have retired.
I am struggling with this logic. It's not like the dogs themselves will be put to death. We won't be selectively breeding them anymore other than to enjoy their company.