History
Throughout the US and in many parts of the world, greyhounds are used as racing dogs to support gambling. In the United States alone, there are roughly 40 dog tracks and hundreds of puppy farms and training facilities around the country. Years ago, the greyhound industry was in much worse shape than it is today. Many tracks have established very good policies as well as "no kill" rules that help ensure the health and fate of the greyhounds. However, there are still thousands of greyhounds that after their racing days are in need of forever homes.
From Puppy to Adoption
Soon after greyhounds are born, they are sent to farms for training. They often remain in these training facilities until they are 18 months old. At this age, the dogs are introduced to the track and if they're fast enough, will often race until they are between 3-4 years old. Aft this, they are usually put up for adoption.
Personality
It's not enough to consider adopting a greyhound for humanitarian reasons alone. Think about the breed's characteristics to determine if it would be a good fit in your home. Greyhounds are very easy-going dogs. This might surprise you, since we're used to seeing greyhounds speeding around racing tracks reaching speeds of 40 mph. Despite this, greyhounds are normally good for only a few sprints per day. Otherwise, they are truly happy to relax around the house and casually play with a toy or a companion. The greyhound's docile personality is complemented by their loyalty, intelligence and excitement about simple things like taking nightly walks or seeing their owner return home from work.
Appearance
Greyhound come in a variety of colors including solid blue, white, black, red, fawn and combinations of these colors with spotted and brindle patterns. Male greyhounds generally weigh between 65-75 pounds and females tend to weigh between 55-65 pounds. Their sleek, athletic look should be maintained even as they enter retirement. Keeping a greyhound fit and trim should be relatively easy since their metabolism is quite fast and they don't tend to gain weight easily. Perhaps in part because of their great conditioning, greyhounds have long life expectancies for such large dogs, spanning between 12-15 years.
Availability
Greyhounds are available at shelters around the country ? many of which are associated with local racing tracks. Be sure to discuss your home situation with the director of the adoption facility. They'll want to know if you have cats at home, small dogs and very young children. Based on greyhounds' training and instinct, some maintain left over aggressiveness toward small animals. The facility's adoption director should be able to suggest a number of greyhounds that match well to your home life.
elite cleaning services Des Plaines ..Hopefully no one is pulling the leash. The ideal situation... Read More
Hamster breeding can sometimes be confusing for a hamster owner.... Read More
When I had a Toy Poodle, I used a small... Read More
A puppy wanting to chew makes you want to scream!... Read More
Most pet owners have become very educated about their pet... Read More
I'd like to talk to you about pet vaccinations. I... Read More
Poor Dog. Subjected to my most ambitious experiments, she still... Read More
Cats are becoming increasingly popular as pets these days, and... Read More
Well first of all I was always a cat owner,... Read More
Believe it or not boutiques for dogs are everywhere. Nowadays,... Read More
How many times have I hear fellow dog owners say,... Read More
You can't imagine the kind of varieties of Goldfish there... Read More
Peeing on the carpet, knocking you down, or stealing dinner... Read More
A New Understanding of AllergiesAllergies of all kinds seem to... Read More
There seems to be an alarming trend to have cats... Read More
Do I Need A Quarantine Tank?Ah, yes, the often dismissed... Read More
Dog obedience training begins with the owner. There are several... Read More
Pet friendly vacations and travel planning make sense -- after... Read More
Did you know that pets outnumber people in the United... Read More
Let's take a look at the different stages, but before... Read More
Dogs come in many assorted breeds, shapes, and sizes. They... Read More
Dog obedience training starts even before you get your puppy... Read More
Let me introduce my dogs. I have 3, Nikki and... Read More
Occasionally, some of us get to do work that is... Read More
Still remember that very moment when you first laid your... Read More
eco-friendly cleaning service Buffalo Grove ..Unfortunately, accidents can - and DO happen, so it's always... Read More
Arthritis refers to inflammation or swelling in a joint. The... Read More
Pets are many things in many ways but they are... Read More
Choosing a dog is a fun adventure. The search for... Read More
The proper selection of a training collar can have a... Read More
Although many horsemen and trainers extol the virtues of the... Read More
An essential to your dog's health is his/her regular annual... Read More
You need a strategy for using or disposing of your... Read More
As we find ourselves in the middle of winter, it's... Read More
It was November and I had spent 3 months searching... Read More
Guide for training a dogSo you can use a guide... Read More
A poorly trained dog is a nuisance and can even... Read More
Wether it be on a vacation to your favorite resort,... Read More
Whether purely for looks or for a bird's home, bird... Read More
It is always sad when a beloved animal family member... Read More
One of the reasons I strongly encourage horse owners to... Read More
To teach a dog to jump, with your right hand... Read More
Is your bird a seed only eater? Did you know... Read More
Much has been written about the Discus, or Symphysodon aequifasciatus,... Read More
Maintaining your fish bowl can be difficult sometimes. However, your... Read More
Training one dog can be hard enough, but two, now... Read More
Your cat scratching at your furniture can not only leave... Read More
The best thing to do is to start training your... Read More
Hopefully no one is pulling the leash. The ideal situation... Read More
Are there so many great dog breeds out there that... Read More
Pet |