Greyhound Adoption
A phenomenon which is thankfully becoming
increasingly popular is the practise of greyhound
adoption. These
beautiful dogs are retired from greyhound racing at the age of
between two and six years old. At this point their fate is very much
in the balance.
Caring, small-scale greyhound breeders might keep them or
ensure that they are happilyadopted. Others have a much
moregrimfate.
Thousands of these young healthy animals are shot, put "to
sleep" or simply abandoned every year. When you consider that
the natural lifespan of these dogs is about 12 to 14 years, you
see the awful waste of these lovely creatures. They could be
enjoying productive and happy lives as companion dogs in caring
households around the world. Their life on the greyhound dog
track may be over but they have so much more to give as
pets.
It's all very well feeling that warm glow because you have
managed to adopt greyhounds. You may have saved them from
certain death (or abuse, even torture in the hands of the wrong
people) by the process of adopting greyhounds. You have to be
sure that you are getting a pet dog that will enhance your life
too. The adopted greyhound sure does this.
Many greyhound breeders and trainers, who treat these
animals as running machines and little else, fail to realise
that sighthounds really do make greyt pets. "Greyt" is a fairly
obvious play on words commonly used in greyhound shelters and
greyhound animal rescue).
It is rare to find a greyhound puppy adoption option,
because there are so many young adult dogs up for adoption in
the animal shelter. Greyhound puppies have yet to go through
the mill of the greyhound racing industry. They will be tested
on the dog track to see if they can make money for the
owner/trainer.
These gazehounds usually walk quite sedately on a leash,
they spend a lot of time sleeping and they do not need endless
exercise. Remember these animals are sprinters and short bursts
of intense energy are what are expected of them. After that
they tend to sleep - a lot!
Greyhounds are known as the 45 mile per hour couch potatoes.
This is largely true, and it is good (but not essential) if you
have access to an enclosed area where your greyhounds can run.
Remember these dogs are sighthounds and have a strong prey
drive which is instinctual. They have also been trained to
chase, so many of them will never be fully trustworthy with
small (particularly white) fluffy things which run. Small dogs
and cats are at particular risk, but, the same is true of many
other breeds. However, many people do not realise that many
adopted greyhounds can live happily in homes with cats and
small dogs. This is as long as introductions are made sensibly
and gradually so that no animal is hurt. Good adoption centers
usually have a number that are already "cat tested". No cats
are harmed in establishing this, it's achieved with careful
introductions being made.
They are not aggressive dogs as a rule. Generally greys are
very gentle and sweet, especially with children. The caveat is
that all dogs should be supervised and watched when in the
company of smaller animals and children. As for the need to
run, some will always have a need for a short sprint daily, and
some have more endurance than others. Greyhound adoption
societies should be able to assess their charges. Although
there are many qualities which are typical of the breed, they
also have individual differences. There should be a dog to suit
all lifestyles. Many take their retirement from the greyhound
racing industry very seriously indeed.
These dogs can be very lazy, spending a great deal of time on
their back with their legs triumphantly and contentedly
pointing skywards! When you see this joyful sight, greyhound
adoption really does feel very worthwhile and rewarding.
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