It seems that every time my husband or I take the greyhounds for a walk we get a ton of questions.We get a lot of questions about the quality of life at the track, if greyhounds really do love to run, if they need a lot of exercise, if they eat a lot, if they will chase small animals, if they bark, and most frequently if they can sit.
Today I am going to do my best to debunk these six myths about greyhounds.
1.) Greyhound tracks are terrible places. Tracks and kennels get a bad rap due to lack of knowledge about the racing industry.There are state regulations as well as individual track regulations for greyhound racing.These regulations are in place to ensure the integrity of racing and the welfare of the dog.
I think of the racing kennels and tracks as a military school; the dog goes there to learn a trade and is supported throughout its career by a team of people who have dedicated their lives to the breed.As the dog ages it inevitably slows down, cue the adoption kennels.
After a dog is hurt or has graded off she is sent to an adoption group.While in the adoption group she has a health check, is spaded or neutered, and is placed.In the US greyhound adoption is skyrocketing.There are some locations in the country that have waiting list for greyhounds.This excitement about adoption is attributable to the effortless work of kennels and adoption groups.
2.) You must have to exercise that dog all the time! Yes, greyhounds love to run.Please come and look at my grassless back yard and you will see that greyhounds LOVE to run and nothing can stop that love.
Their love of running doesn’t equate to a need for intense exercise.Greyhounds are sprinters.They accelerate quickly but this is not sustained for long periods.Greyhounds are perfectly happy with a nice daily walk and do not need a lot more exercise.
If you want to participate in any dog sports with your greyhound, I would recommend additional exercise.You will have to gradually work the dog up to longer periods of exercise, as they are not used to long endurance intervals.
3.) I bet those greyhounds eat you out of house and home. Depending on your feed it can vary greatly. At the track greyhounds are fed a mixture of raw and usually a good quality kibble. Once these dogs enter the adoption kennel they are switched to a kibble and most continue on kibble. As with all mammals, greys have some GI issues and certain feeds can exacerbate this for certain hounds. Probiotics are important to maintain a healthy system. I can’t average the cost of feeding a grey; it depends on the size and sex of the hound and the type of feed they are getting. The most important thing to remember is to keep the hound within 3-5lbs of their racing weight or at their racing weight. Greyhounds are skinny we should not be trying to fatten them up!
4.) I bet those dogs can’t live with a cat or small dog. It’s true, greyhounds love to chase things. Honestly all dogs love to chase but there is something special about watching a greyhound chase. Sometimes greyhounds mistake small fuzzy animals for a lure.This can be an issue when a grey has a strong prey drive.The good news is that most adoption groups test the dogs with smaller dogs and cats prior to adoption so that the adopter understands how the new dog will fit it their home.There are plenty of greyhounds that co-habitate with small dogs and cats without issue, but please check with your adoption group before bringing your greyhound home.Supervision between these interactions is needed until stable relationships are formed in the home.
5.) Greyhounds don’t bark.Overall greyhounds are rather calm quite dogs but yes, they do bark and sometimes they will even sing. Most greyhound owners find this trait charming and even encourage it, I know we do at our house.
6.) Greyhounds can’t sit. Of course my greyhounds can sit.Sitting is not the most comfortable position for most greyhounds and sometimes they appear a little odd while sitting but most can sit.Some hounds are natural sitters and seem to enjoy the position while others are not.Sitting is a great command for your grey to learn and is easily taught.
Myths busted!Greyhounds are truly dogs and enjoy doing dog things.The important thing to remember is that there is something special about this breed, something much better than any other breed can offer!
I admit I struggle to get my dogs exercised when it is raining.I hate being outside when it is wet and I hate them getting so dirty.I dislike rain.
So what is a savvy greyhound owner to do with her hyperactive and under stimulated hounds… Well, my friends, that sounds like a job for the peanut.
The peanut is designed by FitPAWS.It is an oblong shaped ball that the dog stands on to help increase their core awareness.Just like core training in the human world, this is hard work.I ask the hound the stand on it for three minutes at a time repeating three times.This gives them a brain and core break and allows them to focus when it is their turn.
My boys adore the peanut, as soon as I get it out excitement erupts with barking, running, and all together spazzing-out.Darla, is not a peanut fan.The upside for her is the food; girlfriend is a foodie and will do just about anything for salmon.
The good thing about the Peanut is, that it works the dog physically and mentally.This gives you a nicely exercised calm dog that will not wreck your home when it is raining, snowing, or just icky outside.
When all else fails, just move the coffee table, throw a toy down with a squawker, and let them go! As you can see, the Diva loves her stuffed toys and NO ONE is getting on her bed
Have a good weekend and enjoy those nice, calm, happy hounds!
Living in Atlanta, I struggle with finding locations with good footing to let the hounds run. Fortunately, I have great friends with a farm in Newnan. They graciously allow me to bring the hounds down and let them run.
In addition, to their runs on the farm, I felt that the hounds needed to be doing more conditioning. I wanted to try something that was easy on their joints and feet.
I was speaking with another greyhound friend about this and she told me about Wag-N-Swim. The facility is located slightly OTP (outside the perimeter), the pool is warmed to the dogs liking and salt water. I was very interested and we went for our first session this past week.
I knew Darla would like the water, she is always wanting to play fetch in the lake or lay down in creeks. I was a little worried about how Jethro would do.Here were my favorite things about swimming: the dogs slept for hours after the class, I learned a lot about the hounds gait, and I can already see improvement in their muscle definition after one session. I will continue with this training once a week for the remainder of the summer. They will also continue with their FitPaws Peanut and free running. We should be properly conditioned by fall. They are already complaining that they haven’t lure coursed in over one month.
