While greyhound racing has only been legalised in a minority of nations, the sport in its current form has been present in society since the early 1900s. The first commercial track was built in California in 1919, along with a change in shift regarding the use of the hare, and the same venues and mechanisms soon appeared in the United Kingdom.

However, at a time when numbers have dwindled to a point where they are now just 25 stadiums remaining in the UK and less than half-a-dozen American states being willing to commission the sport, cross-breeding away from the track has been taking place on a regular basis. That has led to a bull greyhound - a cross between a staffordshire bull terrier and a greyhound - becoming more "fashionable" over the past decade.

When it comes to making your choice for greyhound betting, you are naturally looking to select the fastest greyhound possible. However, a bull greyhound is known to possess great strength and stamina, meaning that it has become widely regarded as an ideal hunting dog. Although there only tends to be a gradual decrease regarding their speed, the cross-breeding has the potential to result in a change of temperament, subsequently making a bull greyhound an unsuitable breed for for a family with young children who live in a town or city-like area.

Instead, a bull greyhound - or bull lurcher has its sometimes known - will maintain a more stable mindset when given regular access to areas where they can put their natural energy to the test. Like with greyhounds in general, their natural instinct when it comes to prey must be taken into account. As you see with greyhounds chasing an artificial hare at a track, they can be difficult to restrain when they see something they take a fancy to.

While a bull greyhound is generally fiercely loyal to one or two people, those in question will have to gain a large amount of trust in their dog to let them off a lead in rural areas due to their high focus levels. All things considered, an extendable lead held by a physically strong person is advised. Given their tendency to have playful characters with those that they trust and spend the majority of their time with, it is also important to note that their stronger frame could become more of an issue for someone with a more fragile build.

Because of their loyalty and fixation to their owner, the general consensus is that a bull greyhound is not the right dog for you if they are going to be left alone for a prolonged period of time during the day. The concern is predominately down to anxiety, which in turn could contribute to frustration and aggression as they continue to mature and develop.

That factor alone means that committing to a bull greyhound is a complex decision. The general feeling is that they will give you all of their time if you are prepared to reciprocate, as should be the case with all dogs. However, more crucially than most other breeds, a consistent balance would need to be found if you intend to unite yourself with a bull lurcher.

Another significant difference between a standard greyhound and a bull greyhound is the average lifespan. The cross-breeding seemingly reduces the estimate to 11 to 14 years, rather than 12 to 15. This ties in with a greater amount of health concerns being associated with a bull lurcher although a consistent balance from a diet and mental perspective - like when it comes to their general exercise - can help reduce those issues.