The Greyhound dog breed, demure in nature and looks, is the type of dog from which all seminal canines descend. Known for their aptitude for speed they have been used in racing since the nineteenth century. The Greyhound is popularly adopted when retired from racing, when their ‘use’ has waned with age and the racing owner no longer has the need to upkeep and maintain the animal. This breed of dogs make for wonderful companions as they have already been trained and will likely be grateful to have a new caring, attentive owner. Unfortunately there are thousands of Greyhounds who are unable to find new homes upon ‘retirement’, and the Humane Society simply does not have the resources to maintain them all. This results in the very sad ending of the Greyhounds being sold to research labs, breeders or foreign racetracks with inhumane conditions. If you are looking for a dog companion, the retired Greyhound is a no-brainer.
By ‘retired’ Greyhound it’s not to be inferred that their companionship will be sub-par. The term is simply used to describe the fact that they are no longer in optimal racing condition, possibly making their upkeep more costly than what could be earned through coursing. As with all dogs however, when entering middle-to-older age, tending to nutritional and emotional sensitivities will be as challenging as rearing young pups – this is why pet supplements can be important. The addition of dog supplements to their diets will likely be necessary. Personality-wise, the Greyhound is a naturally sensitive animal, so if your household is not conducive to their nature then it may be best to consider a different breed (i.e. tugging children, no one at home, etc.).
Adopting a Greyhound who has been ‘retired’ from racing will likely ensure that you acquire a companion who is gentle and non-aggressive, highly intelligent and trained, warmly affectionate, peaceful, quiet and clean. In addition to these personality characteristics, the Greyhound is a beautiful, elegant dog breed. If you have the space for him or her to get ample exercise and feel comfortable, there are many caring adoption centers who care for and place Greyhounds when they are in-between their racing careers and settling into a caring home.
A factsheet on Greyhound racing and adoption can be found here.
Loading ...
