Post by CampWhippet on Mar 3, 2006 11:35:48 GMT -5
Retired Engineer Builds Life as Dog Owner
Posted 3/2/2006 06:00 AM
Raising and racing greyhounds is a way for this breeder to stay competitive.
Story by Beth Gorczyca Email | Bio
ELKVIEW -- Sam Burdette never expected to spend his retirement hanging out with a bunch of dogs.
A registered civil engineer, Burdette spent most of his adult life managing major construction projects, such as building dams and bridges.
But when Tri-State Race Track and Gaming Center opened in Cross Lanes, he drove over to check it out. He became interested in the greyhounds and decided to breed some.
Now, 16 years later, he owns about 70 dogs, almost half of which live at his Burdette Kennel just outside of Elkview. The other half lives either at the tracks where they race or are at school learning how to race.
"I tried to retire so I didn't have to work, but I started doing this, so I'm still working," he said.
And what does work involve? Burdette and some helpers feed the dogs once or twice a day, depending on how old they are. They clean the dogs' pens and make sure they have fresh bedding. They play with the dogs and make sure they get plenty of exercise.
"I like the lifestyle," Burdette said. "I get to work outside some. I get to work inside some. Plus, I just love the dogs."
But is it a money maker? Burdette said he typically makes a little bit of a profit, but not as much as some people think. In 2005, he received $90,671 from the state's Greyhound Breeding Development Fund. Most of that money, he said, went to pay veterinarian bills, stud fees, registration costs, training and room and board for the dogs he has on his property.
He estimates he invests about $3,000 into each dog before it ever enters its maiden race.
"It's about the most stupid business a person could get into because you spend thousands of dollars, and you don't get a penny of it back until 22 months later, at least," he said with a chuckle. "It's a risky business, but people do it because they love dogs."
But the dogs Burdette has racing seem to do pretty well. In December alone, five of his dogs at Tri-State placed in 11 races. That means they came in first, second, third or fourth place. He won $4,836.21, according to information from the West Virginia Racing Commission, which oversees the racetracks. Of that money, Burdette kept $1,934.48. The person who runs the kennel at the track where the dogs live while racing received the rest of the money.
"We typically split winnings 60-40 with the kennels getting the larger portions," he said. "That's how the kennels make their money."
Burdette's dogs aren't limited to the tracks in West Virginia. He sends dogs all over the country to run at the track that suits their talent and skill the best. Some are in Pennsylvania. Some are in Florida. Some are in New England states.
"If there is one that doesn't make it at one track, we'll send it to another track," he said.
Burdette said the main reason why he raises dogs, he said, is he likes the competition.
"Some of it is plain stupidity, I'm sure, but I really do love to compete, and this is a way for me to express and release my competitiveness," he said. "Plus, I really do love the dogs."
www.statejournal.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=9107&catid=165
Posted 3/2/2006 06:00 AM
Raising and racing greyhounds is a way for this breeder to stay competitive.
Story by Beth Gorczyca Email | Bio
ELKVIEW -- Sam Burdette never expected to spend his retirement hanging out with a bunch of dogs.
A registered civil engineer, Burdette spent most of his adult life managing major construction projects, such as building dams and bridges.
But when Tri-State Race Track and Gaming Center opened in Cross Lanes, he drove over to check it out. He became interested in the greyhounds and decided to breed some.
Now, 16 years later, he owns about 70 dogs, almost half of which live at his Burdette Kennel just outside of Elkview. The other half lives either at the tracks where they race or are at school learning how to race.
"I tried to retire so I didn't have to work, but I started doing this, so I'm still working," he said.
And what does work involve? Burdette and some helpers feed the dogs once or twice a day, depending on how old they are. They clean the dogs' pens and make sure they have fresh bedding. They play with the dogs and make sure they get plenty of exercise.
"I like the lifestyle," Burdette said. "I get to work outside some. I get to work inside some. Plus, I just love the dogs."
But is it a money maker? Burdette said he typically makes a little bit of a profit, but not as much as some people think. In 2005, he received $90,671 from the state's Greyhound Breeding Development Fund. Most of that money, he said, went to pay veterinarian bills, stud fees, registration costs, training and room and board for the dogs he has on his property.
He estimates he invests about $3,000 into each dog before it ever enters its maiden race.
"It's about the most stupid business a person could get into because you spend thousands of dollars, and you don't get a penny of it back until 22 months later, at least," he said with a chuckle. "It's a risky business, but people do it because they love dogs."
But the dogs Burdette has racing seem to do pretty well. In December alone, five of his dogs at Tri-State placed in 11 races. That means they came in first, second, third or fourth place. He won $4,836.21, according to information from the West Virginia Racing Commission, which oversees the racetracks. Of that money, Burdette kept $1,934.48. The person who runs the kennel at the track where the dogs live while racing received the rest of the money.
"We typically split winnings 60-40 with the kennels getting the larger portions," he said. "That's how the kennels make their money."
Burdette's dogs aren't limited to the tracks in West Virginia. He sends dogs all over the country to run at the track that suits their talent and skill the best. Some are in Pennsylvania. Some are in Florida. Some are in New England states.
"If there is one that doesn't make it at one track, we'll send it to another track," he said.
Burdette said the main reason why he raises dogs, he said, is he likes the competition.
"Some of it is plain stupidity, I'm sure, but I really do love to compete, and this is a way for me to express and release my competitiveness," he said. "Plus, I really do love the dogs."
www.statejournal.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=9107&catid=165
