About Greyhounds

Retired racing greyhounds make wonderful pets. Surprised? Have you ever gone to the dog track and seen only a long, lean, running machine in a racing jacket and muzzle? Perhaps you assumed that they must wear that muzzle to sheathe those teeth! And all that energy! Racing greyhounds must need to run all day, every day just to calm down even a little! Actually racing greyhounds wear muzzles as a state requirement and have all that energy because they are about to do what they were bred for-a quick sprint around the race track. Unlike most sporting dogs, who were bred to be able to run all day, greyhounds are capable of expending enormous amounts of energy in a few minutes; but after the race, it's back to the business of kennel life: a drink of water, a turn in the exercise pen, and a three-day rest in the kennel before running again.

History

Greyhounds belong to a family of dogs known as sighthounds, so called because they hunted with their eyes rather than with their noses. In fact, greyhounds can see a moving object up to a half mile away! They are one of the oldest, if not the oldest, dog known to man. Their image is found on the tomb walls of Egyptian royalty. Their name in Britain seems to stem from the Saxon word "Greu", which means running dog. For centuries, common Brits were not allowed to own greyhounds. This was to prevent the poaching of game and thus spoiling the "sport" for the wealthier class. Indeed, prior to the signing of the Magna Carta (the inspiration for our own Bill of Rights), destruction of a greyhound was considered a serious crime.

From their beginnings, greyhounds have been bred to outrun their prey. Traditionally, they were walked on a lead until game was sighted and then they were released. From that moment on, they pitted their grace and intelligence against that of their quarries'. The necessity of making their own hunting decisions has made them self-reliant and quick-witted. Subsequently, the prestige of owning the fastest running dog led gentlemen to race their dogs against each other (often with a substantial bet on the outcome). If, in the context of the race, a dog interfered in any way, it was put down immediately. Centuries of this type of genetic selection has created a very peaceful dog.

Greyhounds as Pets

While many may think that the retired racer is not a good choice for the family dog, their long history says otherwise. They possess a calm and gentle nature and are easily walked on a leash by children. They do well in small houses, needing their own special soft spot upon which to sleep and rest. A walk once a day and an opportunity to run off leash once or twice a week in an enclosed ball field or park are all that are necessary in terms of exercising a retired racer. They should be given the opportunity to relieve themselves 4-5 times a day. You will not find a more loyal and devoted companion. They are known as watch, but not guard dogs. Although there are stories abound of owners protected by their retired racers-clearly enough cannot be said about the power of loyalty and love.

If you are intrigued by retired racing greyhounds and would like to have more information about adopting one, please contact us. We can answer any questions you might have concerning these elegant dogs, and offer adoption services and the opportunity to meet other greyhound owners through a variety of events throughout the year. We will be more than happy to answer any questions you might have and assist you in any way we can.

So, the next time you find yourself at a dog track and are watching the weighing in of the dogs for a scheduled race, remember what you have read. Look beyond the muzzle and take note of the wagging tails and the dogs' obvious desire to please. You may even notice someone having a difficult time putting on a muzzle because the dog insists on kissing the closest human. When you watch them take that first turn, realize you are watching an athlete, weighing an average of 65 pounds, running eight abreast, at 40 miles an hour! Enjoy the beauty and art of a running greyhound.