How many on the board have a Greyhound?

[vonissk]

Hi JC Welcome to the board.. No I don't have a greyhound--I am a GSD person-but my best friend's cousin runs a rescue in PA for the ex racers. I like what you said in another thread about them still being able to do what they were bred to do. What better pet could a person get than a retired racer? They have been used to being handled from birth, they have been kept in kennels so it only takes a minute to housebreak them--all the groundwork and puppy work has been done for a person. Would I adopt a Greyhound? Hmmmmmm--I sure think about it when my older dog is no longer around but then that could be 6-8 years down the road..........Minta

[jcsperson]

If Roper is your surname we have something in common---it's mine, too!

We looked at the GSD and the Malinois when we first wanted a dog. We love their intelligence and temperament. With the GSDs we were worried about some of the problems we'd read about, hip dysplasia, etc., and the nearest Malinois breeder was really too far away from us at the time. Then we discovered Greyhounds and that's all we've had since.

BTW, there are a great number of Greyhound breeders in OK and our pup is training out there.

[vonissk]

Hey JC I PMed you. Other than that yep you have to really look careful for a super breeder of GSDs fpr they have a lot of problems and there are a lot of different types. The Mals are real real real high drive--almost to the point of being hyper. So you gotta be careful--they are cheap right now compared to a GSD. I know there are a lot of greys here--every so often I go to the NGA site and lurk around. HaHa. Minta

[CampWhippet]

I have a three year old greyhound named Kent. His race name is Cabry Waltz.

[CampWhippet]

Originally Posted by GreenleafGreyhound

SightHounds4Ever, I presume you are slightly (or completely) anti-racing. I would hope that we can keep all forums neutral, except, of course, for the sites specifically designed for anti-racing discussion. Otherwise, please don't use blatant remarks such as "still of the track greyhounds and whippets and other racing dogs often have more problems."
I don't know where you got this idea. My girl is a *retired* racer, as the word rescue is a bit offensive towards her breeder. I've spoken to Leslie and she responded very quickly and it was obvious she cared where her dogs ended up. Otherwise, she wouldn't have placed Giselle into an all breed adoption group. Giselle has virtually no problems. She's a social butterfly. Completely food motivated so she learns in a snap, but has an independant mind as is true to her breed. You can touch her gums, her teeth, her muzzle, you can pull her tail, pull her fur, grab her toes, etc. and she will not exhibit discomfort nor sensitivity. She has *no* aggression at all. I can flash a raised hand and she'll blink and stare at me like "What's that supposed to mean?" Housetraining took a week since she learned from puppyhood to not soil her living area (our home). She would whine and give me the "OMG mom, I need to potty NOW" look, and I'd open the door for her to leave. I try to keep my mind open regarding racing, but I find it a bit superficial to label all retired racers as having more problems. My Pekingese has TONS more problem than Gissie. Not trying to provoke you or anything. Alot of people are AR and I understand why they're upset. I just don't like it when a group of animals is labeled...Seeing I have a "froo froo" dog, this issue hits home LOL.

Giselle: You appear to be a bit more "PR" than "neutral" don't ya think?

Afterall, most retired greyhounds ARE rescues because if nobody steps up and adopts them they are killed. Right?

And while the US racing industry has made improvements in care and adoption, their best improvement has been in finding ways to hide the bones of the unadopted. And if the NGA has their way Mexico can be a good place to ship the cast-offs.

[EscapeTurn]

I've got two. Dazzle and Echo.

[jcsperson]

Originally Posted by CampWhippet

And while the US racing industry has made improvements in care and adoption, their best improvement has been in finding ways to hide the bones of the unadopted. And if the NGA has their way Mexico can be a good place to ship the cast-offs.

Jonathan, you are incorrect. The NGA is on record as advising against sending dogs there.

[CampWhippet]

“It’s unfortunate that so many people have judged this situation without any real accurate information to go on,” said NGA Executive Director Gary Guccione. “The fact is that Juarez will run whether they get dogs from the U.S. or not. If we work constructively with the track, it will benefit all the greyhounds there, no matter where they come from.”

Not what I'd call a real blistering statement from the NGA Executive Director. And the hold-up is that bad press from incidents like this: http://www.greyhoundfriendsforlife.org/news6-24-05.htm

And the surviving dogs went to Mexico anyway. Any idea how they are doing today?

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

Again, this is NOT a thread open for debate but simply one asking for a response from those who own the breed and this is not going to continue. Consider this the last warning on the subject.

[ilovemyhounds]

I have two. I love them very much.

[hounddog]

I have two greyhounds. They have been the greatest pets I have ever had.

[KennelMom]

We currently have 12 retired racers....2 never made it to the track...the rest had careers of varying degrees of success....one retired brood and one retired stud.

We WILL one day own an active racer!

[MoonlightAbove]

nope, I don't, but I have a Pharaoh Hound.

[marley05]

Hmmm.. i never saw this thread. I am a pround owner of a retired racer, call name: Zola and Racing name:Street Walker

[jcsperson]

Originally Posted by CampWhippet

And the surviving dogs went to Mexico anyway. Any idea how they are doing today?

Just so everyone knows. The Juarez track closed and every single dog that went there has been returned and are in the adoption process. Here is the official news release from the American Greyhound Council:

JUAREZ DOGS HOME;
NGA “DISCOURAGEMENT” POLICY REMAINS IN EFFECT

Abilene, KS (June 28, 2006)—American Greyhound Council (AGC) Communications Coordinator Gary Guccione today welcomed news that the last of the 126 greyhounds transferred to Juarez, Mexico over the past six months are now back in the U.S. awaiting placement in adoptive homes. The last sixty racers came home on June 25, according to Rory Goree, president of Greyhound Pets of America (GPA), who personally oversaw the final transfer. Even so, Guccione said, the National Greyhound Association (NGA) will not rescind the policy it originally adopted almost exactly one year ago discouraging any further movement of greyhounds to the Juarez track.

“We’re very glad that the Juarez racers are back in the states, and GPA deserves a heartfelt pat on the back for making it happen,” Guccione said. “Rory’s personal determination to ensure the safe return of these greyhounds speaks volumes about GPA’s commitment to greyhound welfare, no matter what the cost.” Goree estimated that the final cost of transporting the dogs and preparing them for adoption could run as high as $400 per greyhound.

Guccione said NGA’s ‘discouragement’ policy has remained in effect since June 27, 2005 because of concerns expressed by Goree and greyhound breeders about inconsistent enforcement of greyhound welfare policies and practices at the Juarez track.

“It’s one thing to have proper policies and procedures on paper,” Guccione said, “but it’s something else to make sure that they are properly implemented on a daily basis. Although the current situation turned out well, we feel that Juarez management has not shown the long-term, consistent commitment to greyhound welfare that we would need to see before changing our ‘discouragement’ policy.”

Goree said many of the Juarez racers have already been placed in adoptive homes, but the most recent returnees are still awaiting placement. For information on how to adopt a retired greyhound, call 1-800-366-1472, or visit the GPA website, www.greyhoundpets.org.