So, when the greyhound starts to chase the rabbit, the dog owner should choose a point near roadside. And, when the rabbit gets close, one should throw the spear sickle and hit the rabbit on the head, letting the dog rush in for the bite.

Chasing rabbits is usually done in January and February.

Greyhounds were quite popular in the region in the 1980s, and some greyhound breeds can even sell for up to 100,000 yuan ($15,747) a dog.

Fu Chengcheng, who is in his 50s, specializes breeding greyhounds.

He says his family has relied on breeding greyhounds for three generations, but fewer people buy the dogs now and they typically sell for less than 10,000 yuan each.

So, how do you keep this tradition alive?

Local officials say they are waiting for the Shaanxi provincial government to list the sport as provincial intangible cultural heritage. And, at the same time, they have stepped up efforts to support and protect the sport besides give the dog commanders a subsidy.