my next dog

roman · 10-21-2006, 06:29 PM

i already decided that when max passes (which i hope isn't anytime soon since he's only 6) i want to adopt a retired racing greyhound

i volunteer at a shelter and one time we had alot of groups at petsmart and there was a greyhound rescue and i loved them so much

and also the member that has 6 of them that are all retired (i have to find out her name here) I THANK HER FOR RESCUING THESE DOGS WHO LIVE A HORRIBLE LIFE WHILE BEING RACED

***Swiftwind*** · 10-21-2006, 06:48 PM

I think that would be a really nice idea!

Ever since I was young I've wanted to adopt a retired racing greyhound. Where I used to live there was a Greyhound track right near my house, and it's sad to see that some of these dogs are so 'reved' up to chase just about anything.

roman · 10-21-2006, 08:43 PM

i know exactly how you feel

i live in new york city and every year there is this even called BROADWAY BARKS and it is hosted by Bernnadette Peters and Mary Tyler Moore and they had a greyhound that came off the track the day of the even and it had so many scars it was horrible

***Cassiepeia*** · 10-21-2006, 09:51 PM

It's wonderful you've decided on a retired racer. I'd love to adopt a greyhound one day too.

They're such delightful and stunning dogs.

Cass.

IceyBlueSibes · 10-22-2006, 11:21 AM

Greyhounds are beautiful! They're much more enjoyable in person! Such SOFT fur, and wonderful structure!

KennelMom has a TON of retired racers. I'm sure she can give you any and all information you're interested in.

12weimgirl · 10-22-2006, 01:07 PM

Awwwww i love greyhounds. Thats a really good choice.

Lauren

***Cassiepeia*** · 10-22-2006, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Such SOFT fur...

They do have soft fur don't they? I couldn't believe how soft the greyhounds at the pet expo were I couldn't stop touching them. lol So beautiful.

Cass.

IceyBlueSibes · 10-22-2006, 03:46 PM

Yes! It's almost like velvet.. The two I met at the park were gorgeous, but the one didn't know what a dog looked like, other than like a greyhound. So they were socializing him to get used to other dogs, they were both retired racers. I was awe of the power in their back legs. The size of the muscle in their legs is amazing.

KennelMom · 10-22-2006, 05:24 PM

I do love those retired racers!! In fact, we have 14 of them from ages 3-14 with assorted racing careers. I think it's great that you want to add a greyhound to your family one day. Retired racers certainly are a very special breed.

I do want to say (and I know this isn't the debate forum so I don't want to get into one but)...they do not live horrible lives while they are racing. I've been to several tracks, been inside several different racing kennels and even been to a greyhound farm. Unhappy, sick or unhealthy dogs don't run well and dogs that don't run well don't win races. It's that simple. Sure, there are poo-head trainers and owners just like there are poo-head pet owners. Anytime people are involved with something you can get some bad apples. But adoption rates have increased so dramatically in such a short period of time because of cooperation between racing people and adoption people (more and more often those "people" are one and the same). It's still not perfect, but it gets closer every year.

This is our girl Scout the day we picked her up from the racing kennel (she's muzzled because she's getting ready to be loaded up with 5 other dogs in our van). She's roaching....and greyhound owners will tell you that greyhounds roach when they are happy and comfy.

The most stressful and difficult time a greyhound's life is usually making the transition to pet life when they lose the routine and stability they've always had...and it's usually the first time in their life that they've ever NOT been around other greyhounds and people 24/7.

Quote:

it's sad to see that some of these dogs are so 'reved' up to chase just about anything.

I'm not really sure how to read this...Greyhounds are sighthounds. It is their nature to chase things that move, whether it's a squirrel, a lure at the track or plastic bag on the lure coursing field. They run because it is in their heart and soul to do so. I would be worried about someone breeding greyhounds that didn't have the drive and heart to run/chase. Thousands of years of careful breeding have created nearly the perfect running and coursing specimen. Nothing compares to a greyhound in full flight...and I think they know that

IceyBlueSibes · 10-22-2006, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Nothing compares to a greyhound in full flight...and I think they know that

I AGREE! I love seeing them in full flight. I think, as you said, it would be a shame if these dogs didn't want to chase. It's what makes them so unique.

I would love to have a grey some day, along with the millions of other dogs I'd love to give a home to. Hehe

***Cassiepeia*** · 10-22-2006, 06:57 PM

Quote:

it's sad to see that some of these dogs are so 'reved' up to chase just about anything.

Yeah I found that comment strange too. All sighthounds are like that whether they're used in racing or not. They're bred to chase. Just like scenthounds are bred to scent and have their nose glued to the ground most of the time. lol

Cass.

roman · 10-22-2006, 08:02 PM

yeah like terriers were bred to dig and go under ground

i can't think of a time when max isn't digging and niko just follows along with whatever max does

***Swiftwind*** · 10-22-2006, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KennelMom

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swiftwind

it's sad to see that some of these dogs are so 'reved' up to chase just about anything.

I'm not really sure how to read this...Greyhounds are sighthounds. It is their nature to chase things that move, whether it's a squirrel, a lure at the track or plastic bag on the lure coursing field. They run because it is in their heart and soul to do so. I would be worried about someone breeding greyhounds that didn't have the drive and heart to run/chase. Thousands of years of careful breeding have created nearly the perfect running and coursing specimen. Nothing compares to a greyhound in full flight...and I think they know that

Sorry for being unclear - I don't really want to start a 'debate', just stating that I used to live very close to a greyhound track. Like you said, there are "bad apples" wheverever you go. I know that greyhounds are sighthounds and were bred to chase. There was one man with 4 greyhounds who would walk his dogs around the park next to the track (a public park). Once when we were down at the park waking Harley, this man let his greyhounds off their leads, and all 4 of them ended up chasing Harley right onto the road in traffic. He nearly got hit by a car. The owner of these greyhounds didn't seem to care, and he'd encourage his dogs to chase other dogs (I had also seen these same greyhounds chase numerous dogs and attack them). So, that's what I mean by my comment.

I know the majority of racing greyhounds are VERY well looked after - they're an investment to their owners, so why wouldn't they be? I have met some lovely greyhound owners who race their dogs, and I've come across some bad ones too, which really is a shame.

***Cassiepeia*** · 10-22-2006, 10:04 PM

Wow that's terrible! That guy shouldn't have owned sighthounds.

I'm sorry that happened to you and Harley. There really are some bad people out there.

Cass.

10-21-2006, 06:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
roman Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: New York Posts: 1,209 Rep Power: 71	my next dog i already decided that when max passes (which i hope isn't anytime soon since he's only 6) i want to adopt a retired racing greyhound i volunteer at a shelter and one time we had alot of groups at petsmart and there was a greyhound rescue and i loved them so much and also the member that has 6 of them that are all retired (i have to find out her name here) I THANK HER FOR RESCUING THESE DOGS WHO LIVE A HORRIBLE LIFE WHILE BEING RACED
	__________________

10-21-2006, 06:48 PM	#2 (permalink)
*Swiftwind* Believe in Yourself Super Moderator Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: NSW, Australia Posts: 5,784 Blog Entries: 3 Rep Power: 206	I think that would be a really nice idea! Ever since I was young I've wanted to adopt a retired racing greyhound. Where I used to live there was a Greyhound track right near my house, and it's sad to see that some of these dogs are so 'reved' up to chase just about anything.
	__________________ Get more out of Global Paw: Art Classes / Blogs / Book Club / Photo Gallery / Woof Review As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner.

10-21-2006, 08:43 PM	#3 (permalink)
roman Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: New York Posts: 1,209 Rep Power: 71	i know exactly how you feel i live in new york city and every year there is this even called BROADWAY BARKS and it is hosted by Bernnadette Peters and Mary Tyler Moore and they had a greyhound that came off the track the day of the even and it had so many scars it was horrible
	__________________

10-21-2006, 09:51 PM	#4 (permalink)
*Cassiepeia* Chihuahua Mum Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: NSW, Australia Posts: 8,281 Blog Entries: 9 Rep Power: 284	It's wonderful you've decided on a retired racer. I'd love to adopt a greyhound one day too. They're such delightful and stunning dogs. Cass.
	__________________ Say NO! to animals in pet shops. Rescue a friend instead: Petfinder Get more out of Global Paw. Check out these great features. Book Club ~ Blogs ~ Art Classes ~ Woof Review As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner.

10-22-2006, 11:21 AM	#5 (permalink)
IceyBlueSibes Eyes = Mirror to the soul Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Jupiter, Fla. Posts: 7,757 Blog Entries: 1 Rep Power: 273	Greyhounds are beautiful! They're much more enjoyable in person! Such SOFT fur, and wonderful structure! KennelMom has a TON of retired racers. I'm sure she can give you any and all information you're interested in.
	__________________ Sheiba, Denali, Ike, Nitro (Siberian Husky), Kelso (GSD x), Lugar (Boxer/Pit x), Willah (Shepherd/Husky x), Tibby, Cheech, Chong (Chihuahua), and any foster we have in the house! 9 Kitty cats!

10-22-2006, 01:07 PM	#6 (permalink)
12weimgirl Join Date: May 2006 Location: Kentucky Posts: 539 Rep Power: 58	Awwwww i love greyhounds. Thats a really good choice. Lauren
	__________________ Lauren

10-22-2006, 03:46 PM	#8 (permalink)
IceyBlueSibes Eyes = Mirror to the soul Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Jupiter, Fla. Posts: 7,757 Blog Entries: 1 Rep Power: 273	Yes! It's almost like velvet.. The two I met at the park were gorgeous, but the one didn't know what a dog looked like, other than like a greyhound. So they were socializing him to get used to other dogs, they were both retired racers. I was awe of the power in their back legs. The size of the muscle in their legs is amazing.
	__________________ Sheiba, Denali, Ike, Nitro (Siberian Husky), Kelso (GSD x), Lugar (Boxer/Pit x), Willah (Shepherd/Husky x), Tibby, Cheech, Chong (Chihuahua), and any foster we have in the house! 9 Kitty cats!

10-22-2006, 08:02 PM	#12 (permalink)
roman Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: New York Posts: 1,209 Rep Power: 71	yeah like terriers were bred to dig and go under ground i can't think of a time when max isn't digging and niko just follows along with whatever max does
	__________________

10-22-2006, 10:04 PM	#14 (permalink)
*Cassiepeia* Chihuahua Mum Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: NSW, Australia Posts: 8,281 Blog Entries: 9 Rep Power: 284	Wow that's terrible! That guy shouldn't have owned sighthounds. I'm sorry that happened to you and Harley. There really are some bad people out there. Cass.
	__________________ Say NO! to animals in pet shops. Rescue a friend instead: Petfinder Get more out of Global Paw. Check out these great features. Book Club ~ Blogs ~ Art Classes ~ Woof Review As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner.

10-23-2006, 02:30 AM	#15 (permalink)
*Swiftwind* Believe in Yourself Super Moderator Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: NSW, Australia Posts: 5,784 Blog Entries: 3 Rep Power: 206