Here are a few pics of today’s (3/28/2015) ex-racing greyhounds Meet & Greet at Petco in Cape Girardeau, Mo.
It was a small turnout today with just four dogs, but they did their jobs as ambassadors for the breed and for greyhound adoption very well. Kendall & Bethany Rhodes attended with “Jade”, John Hamen with “Ben” and Cindy & I with Vladimir and Vitali.
Greyhound group hug?
Yet another beauty!
If you’re happy & you know it…..
Once again doing their part to show people what great additions to a household ex racing greyhounds are, Planet Greyhound brothers, Vlad & Vitali participated in a “Trunk or Treat” in Cobden, Il. To many kids, they were just as much a treat as the candy being passed out, and many adults seemed to get a kick out of them also!.
Our little group was made up of David & Cheryl Stewart, Fred & Paula Stearns, Tim & Kendall Waller, Steve & Cindy Pryor and of course the V-twins, Vladimir & Vitali.
We recently attended the “Vulture Fest” in Makanda, Il and the Planet Greyhound boys (Vladimir and Vitali) took the opportunity to turn it into a meet & greet of sorts.Hi
If you want to meet people when you’re out on a walk with a dog, there is no other dog I know of that gets the amount of attention a greyhound does. Everywhere you go people point and stare and hope you pass by them so they can ask questions or find out more about this gorgeous creature. As the fastest dog on the planet and the 2nd fastest accelerating land animal on the planet, people are always curious about this regal breed that can attain a speed of 45 mph from a standing start its first 3 strides. What allows the greyhound to reach that type of acceleration, is its lean but extremely muscular build, biggest heart, and greatest area of fast-twitch muscle associated with any breed as well as the double suspension gallop and also the extreme versatility of the spine.
Walking one of these “lightning bolts on a leash” is like walking with a celebrity, almost everyone you meet wants to know more about them and for most it is the first time they have actually had a chance to see one up close and personal. Common remarks are; they’re so soft or they’re so gentle and placid.
Some people ask about the tattoos in the ex racing greyhound’s ears. There are 2 numbers, one in each ear. One is the track number, the other is the year they were born and the order in the litter. With these, you will find the whole pedigree all the way back to the end of the 1800’s. Some people say the number does not prove birth order as most owners do not mark them in order. I don’t know, maybe some do and some don’t. In any event, to find that dogs pedigree, log on to http://www.greyhound-data.com, type in the number and presto…there it is!
Another question I hear from people is about the size of the greyhound’s heart…a greyhound’s heart weight ranges from 1.18 to 1.73% of their body weight, which is higher than an elite racehorse at 1.0-1.3% of its body weight. Other types of dogs have a heart weight equal to 0.77% of their body weight, and compare those to 0.5% for humans. So you can see the greyhound has the highest blood volume of any athlete, relative to its body size. All this means that the Greyhound heart is not only larger and more efficient than any other dog’s, but outperforms that of a thoroughbred racehorse.
One other thing I am asked frequently and something that is very important to some people deals with dog odor. Well, due to incredibly small sebaceous glands, the short hair and very low body fat, Greyhound’s exude little or no characteristic “doggy odor”. You can have three or four greyhounds in your home and not notice them near as much as you will that one Lab or Shepard, Doberman, etc. This also transforms into more domestic tranquility as greyhound’s are very affectionate dogs towards those that they know and trust. For centuries different greyhounds have been allowed to hunt and race together, so aggressiveness towards other dogs and people has been almost totally eliminated from the breed. This also means that owning several Greyhounds can be a calmer experience than having those breeds listed above (and many others) that will engage in continuous “pecking” as puppies.
Look closely and you can see the ear tattoo
1) Greyhound racing is a humane, fun and harmless sport.
2) Racing greyhounds are prized athletes that receive the best of care. We treat our greyhounds better than most people treat their pets.
3) Cases of abuse and killing of racing greyhounds are rare isolated incidents.
4) Critics of the dog racing industry are wacko animal rights extremists who are opposed to the use of animals for any purpose.
5) Humane Societies euthanize thousands of unwanted dogs.
6) We would not have to euthanize greyhounds if more people would adopt them.
7) Racing greyhounds would not run if they were not well cared for.
8) Greyhound racing is a highly regulated sport with high standards of animal care.
1) The business of greyhound racing is responsible for the death of thousands upon thousands of greyhounds every year.
2) Greyhound adoption organizations routinely receive racing dogs riddled with external and internal parasites, open sores and untreated broken bones. Many are also covered with scars.
3) Over the last two decades, hundreds of cases of abuse have been documented including greyhounds that were shot, starved, electrocuted and sold for research. Industry insiders report that this is only the tip of the iceberg.
4) This statement is merely a public relations ploy designed to marginalize industry critics. The killing and abuse of greyhounds is a mainstream issue that has been taken to heart by the American public. Opposition to industry practices has been publicly stated in newspaper editorials, by government officials and mainstream animal welfare organizations.
5) Humane Societies do not breed dogs; make money off of them; kill them. Then repeat the cycle.
6) It is not the responsibility of private charities like adoption organizations or the American public to white wash the image of the dog racing industry.
7) Running is instinctual for greyhounds. In fact, it is not uncommon for a greyhound to finish a race in spite of having suffered a serious injury.
8) In most states, dog racing regulations are essentially concerned with gambling rules; breeding and training farm operations are virtually unregulated.
Many greyhound puppies and youngsters are judged to be of inferior racing quality at birth or during the farm training process. Many owners elect not to continue investing in dogs that demonstrate little potential of making money; the vast majority of those dogs are destroyed on the farm before they ever start a racing career. In recent years the yearly disappearance of thousands of puppies is explained away by the industry spokesperson as death from “natural causes”. However, this same spokesperson admitted in an interview that puppies were, in fact, destroyed on the farms. Industry insiders confirm that large numbers of pups are destroyed. Young greyhounds that do show promise are individually registered and named before going to a track at about 18 months.
In the tenth century, King Howel of Wales declared that the penalty for killing a greyhound was the same as that of killing a person, death. In the days of the Egyptians, greyhounds were valued by the pharaohs for their grace, beauty and mild temperament. But in the 21st century, greyhounds in the racing world are prized for only one thing…speed. Every year thousands of greyhounds are killed in various inhumane ways simply because they are not fast enough.
It’s an industry that exists solely for the entertainment of humans at the cost of animal lives.
Because greyhound racing has little to do with dogs and everything to do with money, scant regard is given to the humane treatment of the greyhounds. This is an industry that places profits above the health and welfare of greyhounds, how else would you explain the culling of unwanted dogs, a general disregard toward animal injury, and the inhumane living conditions that the majority of the dogs endure?
Greyhounds are at a disadvantage even before they are born. Tens of thousands of greyhounds are bred annually, many more than are needed to race, in an attempt to create the fastest dogs. The greyhounds are then “weeded out “killed” if they are at any time determined unable to become racetrack stars.
“From the time they are born, they are judged for their racing ability,” says Laura Bevan, director of the Southeast Regional Office of The HSUS. “As puppies they may be killed, or culled, if they don’t have potential to be good racers. After that, any injury or slow down of speed can mean death. The dogs are a commercial product, and once it is determined that they don’t have value as a racer at a track, their days are numbered.”
Throughout their racing career, the dogs routinely endure inhumane conditions and have little human contact. Many greyhound farms are barely getting by financially, so the dogs are kept caged most of the time and fed low quality foods. Each dog is a major expense, which is why so many are killed in various, inhumane, ways when they are deemed unfit to race.
Please consider adopting a greyhound. So many are waiting for someone like you and me to save their lives. And if adoption is not an option for you right now, they are always in need of people who are willing to foster. In fact, there are many ways you can help, so please do. Join the fight to stop the racing and subsequent killing of these precious greyhounds.
If you have had thoughts lately about pet adoption and possibly bringing a Greyhound into your family, then this post might help you to understand the breed a little more and help you decide if they would be the pet for you. The question often asked is “Do Greyhounds make good pets?” Hopefully you will find the answer to this question in our look at this marvelous animal. Greyhounds have many great qualities as a pet, they are very easygoing, intelligent, sensitive to other dogs and to humans, very loyal to their owners, brave and have an incredible lust and devotion to life in general. This dog learns quickly and has a lot of respect for its owner and other members of the household – being very loving towards children and not over-forceful with them.
Greyhounds are “sight hounds” and are able to see something as small as a squirrel from up to a half mile away. They are also, without question, the fastest dogs on earth, reaching top speeds of over 45 miles per hour in under four seconds. Don’t let this impressive fact fool you though, Greyhounds are generally considered by their owners to be gentle, 45 mile per hour couch potatoes. They thoroughly enjoy being “slackers” and are never high strung or hyper, and they rarely allow any other animals to get their goat. Cool as the other side of the pillow, these sprinters are happy with as little as a 20 minute walk each day as the proper amount of exercise. You can also read through some of the previous posts made here and come to a decision if this wonderful breed is the one you want to share your life with. To me, it’s a no brainer…they are very calm & collected, they are the super models of the dog world and get lots of attention wherever they go, they do not smell like other dogs, do not eat a lot for their size and rarely ever bark.
Greyhounds are bred for speed, health, intelligence, and sociability. This combination makes them excellent house pets. They are, as mentioned above, clean and odor free, indoor dogs that don’t eat a lot nor require extensive exercise. They are very quiet dogs and will spend much of their time sleeping. They are very content to follow you around wherever you go and love to go for car rides.
Greyhounds live to be about 12-15 years old, barring any accidents or illness. Racing Greyhounds are bred for health and speed and as such are not predisposed to genetic disorders like blindness, deafness, hip dysplasia, etc.
While not all greyhounds suffer from separation anxiety, a greyhound has been raised in a busy kennel and racing environment that requires extensive handling and they crave human company. Some greyhounds may get nervous and afraid if left alone. A greyhound must learn by experience that you will return, and that being alone in the house is safe. Not every dog suffers when left alone for short periods of time, and your dog may never have any problems, but it does show up with some greyhounds and you should be aware of it so if it does arise you will be prepared.
If you have an interest in adopting a greyhound as a pet, you’ll find that there are a great many devoted fans of the breed who have done an amazing amount of work to save, nurture, and re-acclimate these stunning dogs for the retired life in your home. They are not big chewers, and they will most likely doze peacefully on the sofa while you go about your day away, greeting you drowsily when you return. Your male will be tall, at about 28 to 30 inches at the withers, and usually weigh 70 to 85 pounds. Females, a bit smaller, will measure around 26 to 28 inches and are usually in the 55 to 70 pound range. These size ranges can vary somewhat as there are some instances of “large females and small males” that will occasionally fall outside their normal size range.
In my personal experience, looking into the eyes of a Greyhound is like looking into an “old soul”, there is just something special there that is hard to explain. You need to experience it for yourself!
Greyhounds are absolutely gorgeous dogs that are well known for their ability to race. As the second fastest land animal on the planet, they are revered… as long as they can run. When they cannot, they are simply disposed of in whatever way the trainer sees fit. This means that many are abandoned or put down. As a result, greyhound dog rescue is incredibly important and something that more people should be educated about.
Greyhound dog rescue is a niche area because there are a number of groups that are dedicated to rescuing greyhounds. A few dogs are treated well whilst in racing service, but the vast majority are not. They are forced to almost continuously wear muzzles, are pulled and jerked around and are often claustrophobic after finding themselves in small cages for hours on end on a daily basis. The owners and trainers that do treat them well tend to find good homes for them when they are retired, unfortunately the vast majority do not.
Greyhounds are often abandoned or put down as soon as they are injured or cannot race. This means that they may be abandoned and actually wander around a strange environment until found, if they are lucky. However, there are a number of greyhound specific dog rescue groups that cater to greyhounds exclusively and do their best to find them new homes that they can settle into. The more people that adopt them, the more openings there are so other greyhounds can be rescued and rehomed.
Greyhounds are wondrous creatures and make excellent family pets, which makes dog rescue all the more important for them. They are really placid, loving and very low maintenance because they enjoy their own space. If anyone is looking to dog rescue for his or her next pet, look for a greyhound! It is very rewarding and satisfying to know that someone cares for them and gives them the attention and love they deserved but went without for the first few years of their lives.
Greyhounds are as fast as they are smart, as wise as they are loving. Outdoors, it is a thrill to watch this dog run at full stretch. In short bursts, the greyhound can accelerate to over 60 ft per second within 4 or 5 strides or around 45 mph. The only other land animal that can accelerate faster over a short distance is the Cheetah
Indoors, he becomes a quiet and dignified family member, expecting hugs and petting from his family. Greyhounds are very affectionate, but will not overly dote on you. The Greyhound’s gentle nature makes him a good children’s dog.
Greyhound owners and adoption groups generally consider greyhounds to be wonderful pets. They are pack-oriented dogs, which means that they will quickly adopt humans into their pack as alpha. They can get along well with children, dogs and other family pets. Rescued racing Greyhounds occasionally develop separation anxiety when re-housed or when their new owners have to leave them alone for a period of time (the addition of a second greyhound often solves this problem).
Greyhounds bark very little, which helps in suburban environments, and are usually as friendly to strangers as they are with their own family. The most common misconception concerning greyhounds is that they are hyperactive. In retired racing greyhounds it is usually the opposite. Young greyhounds that have never been taught how to utilize the energy they are bred with, can be hyperactive and destructive if not given an outlet, and require more experienced handlers.
Greyhound Adoption groups generally require owners to keep their greyhounds on-leash at all times, except in fully enclosed areas. This is due to their prey-drive, their speed, and the assertion that Greyhounds have no road sense. Due to their strength, adoption groups recommend that fences be at least 4 high, to prevent them being able to jump the fence and escape.
Greyhounds do shed but do not have undercoats and therefore are less likely to trigger people’s dog allergies (Greyhounds are sometimes incorrectly referred to as “hypoallergenic”). The lack of an undercoat, coupled with a general lack of body fat, also makes Greyhounds more susceptible to extreme temperatures, and most sources recommend that Greyhounds be housed inside.
Greyhounds are very sensitive to insecticides. Many vets do not recommend the use of flea collars or flea spray on greyhounds unless it is a pyrethrin-based product. Products like Advantage, Frontline, Lufenuron, and Amitraz are safe for use on Greyhounds and are very effective in controlling fleas and ticks.
It is often believed that Greyhounds need a large living space, however, they can thrive in small spaces. Due to their temperament, Greyhounds can make better “apartment dogs” than many, if not most, of the smaller hyperactive breeds .
In the late 20th century several Greyhound adoption groups were formed. The early groups were formed in large part out of a sense of concern about the treatment of the dogs while living on the track. These groups began taking greyhounds from the racetracks when they could no longer compete and placing them in adoptive homes. Prior to the formation of these groups, in the United States over 20,000 retired greyhounds a year were euthanized due to track injuries or simply because they were no longer of use; recent estimates still number in the thousands, with about 90% (highly questionable) of National Greyhound Association-registered animals either being adopted, or returned for breeding purposes (according to the industry numbers upwards of 2000 dogs are still killed annually in the US while anti-racing groups and other advocates estimate the figure at closer to 12,000).
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