By the way, jr44, I endorse Coops' advice. If your circumstances (including financial) allow you to have one or two dogs as a hobby, then it is a great hobby. Tends to become all consuming and once you are bitten by the "dog flea", you will be addicted, as I have been for the best part of 50 years (I have a small share in only one dog these days and that is the first one for 20 years but the addiction has continued to always be there). Furthermore, if you live in reasonable close proximity to Appin, then racing your dogs at Appin would in my view be a great hobby and if you had one that was more suitable to the circle, then that's good also, particularly in that it is where there is much more scope for recouping some expenses. Good luck jr44.