Retired Racers Make Great Pets
People with a penchant for gambling and a need for speed love greyhounds on the track.
When they get too old to race or they become injured, however, it’s another story all together.
These once adored creatures are discarded by their owners, sometimes left in shelters, other times they are simply put to sleep.
While this isn’t always the case, the reality is that many former racers are left without a home of their own or a family to love them.
Fortunately for this gentle breed, many greyhounds end up in breed rescues. These organizations work hard to ensure the animals that once gave people so much pleasure have a little love and respect in return during their retirement days. These nonprofit Breedss can be found all over, but are mostly predominate in places where dog tracks can be found.
Sadly, many people are under the impression these racers don’t make good pets. The fear is they will be too aggressive, too wild and too unlovable to adjust to home life. This is simply not the case, but there are some things people should know about greyhounds:
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Activity level. Many people believe that greyhounds will be hyperactive, impossible pets. While it’s true they will need to be exercised – a lot – they can be very good companions to have in a home. As long as they get their daily, or twice daily, dose of exercise, these dogs are quite happy to retire to a simple, home life.
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Destructive. Some think that greyhounds are destructive in homes. This also is not the case. It is true that greyhounds will have to be taught about home life. Since they spend most of their days at a track or one the road, they don’t quite understand everyday things that most dogs are used to. Things such as television sets, door bells, furniture and so on are foreign to them. To ensure that greyhounds are well acclimated before they are placed with adoptive families, some rescues use foster homes to retrain them. Many people find these adult dogs behave a little bit like puppies when they are introduced to home life. They are curious about everything, and don’t know what’s off limits until they are taught.
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Bad with kids. This is absolutely a fallacy. While some greyhounds aren’t as tolerant of children as others, they are good with kids as a rule. Most rescues know which dogs they have a suited to be in homes with children and which are not.
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Not affectionate. The uninitiated believe that former race dogs cannot be content to be cuddled and loved like a family pet. This is also not the case. Greyhounds are like any other dog. They love to be loved and they live to please.
Greyhounds can be a great choice of dog for virtually anyone. They will have a few special challenges in some cases, but the rewards for overcoming them can be great. Many greyhound adoptive families report these dogs have quickly become loved, valued members of the family.
Article by Kelly Marshall
Here is a full listing of Greyhound Rescue in the UK
