My Greyhound Space

Owning a Greyhound is very different from owning other dogs. Their whole personality and behaviour patterns are quite unlike any dog I've ever encountered.

To start with, don't expect a hyperactive racing dog, they're, for the most part, couch potatoes. The joke in the UK is they're the most dangerous dog for burglars to encounter as they fall over them in the dark! Now and then you will find one that has that “I could have been a contender” attitude and will demonstrate his speed at every opportunity. These are the exception.

If you're rescuing an ex-racer, you are in for a surprise during the first six months. So many are traumatised when they find their “forever home” they just can't believe their luck! Typically, the new dog is nervous, frightened by your desire to give him a cuddle as it seems like an assault to him, and looking for an escape route.

Very quickly, he learns that you are in it for the long haul and wish him no harm. Food and treats reinforce the notion that you're on his side and gradually the confidence will grow. After a few stroking sessions he will learn that a cuddle is not an attempt to restrain him, and get to like it. As time progresses you'll find him coming to you for an affectionate squeeze, you'll will feel honoured that you've gained his trust and might even shed a tear.

The reason so many Greyhound owners get so emotional about their dogs is the sad state that so many of them arrive in. The heart rending pity you feel when encountering the worst cases seems to form a bond and sense of responsibility for their welfare that is more powerful than that felt for other dogs. It's hard to explain, but it seems to be the case with most Greyhound owners. Owners, in this context, refers to those of us who've taken the plunge, and adopted an ex-racer. Those who breed or buy them, race them and dump them are not worthy of the term owner. Having said that, there are those who are keen to race their dog/s but keep them as a pet when they retire or ensure they find a good home: They are a different matter altogether.

When taking your first steps to Owning a Greyhound don't be deterred by the poor looking, drooping head specimen before you when you meet the candidates for adoption. With good food and grooming the changes that take place are are nothing short of incredible. The scruffy coat will get back to it's original gloss. The frame will fill out and the horrible joint outlines will vanish. Above all, your Greyhound will gradually recover it's pride and hold it's head up. You now own a pet Greyhound, not a disposable racing machine that no longer earns it's keep.

Why are Greyhound coats so important? The answer to this is obvious when you look at the physical make-up of the "Grey".

Firstly, they have less fat to insulate them from the extremes of temperature. Secondly, they don't possess the thick fur found on most breeds of dog. The result of this is a dog that can suffer from hypothermia in cold weather and of course, hyperthermia when the sun is strong.

It has to be said that, like humans, Greyhounds vary in their sensitivity to temperature changes. Greyhound coats ensure your dog is able to cope. Another aspect of this is to compare their situation to humans. We can tolerate extremes of temperature very well indeed, but, we're far more comfortable if we're appropriately dressed for the prevailing weather. The older or weaker human can perish if not protected from extreme weather.

So, what is needed to afford your Greyhound the necessary protection?

A good warm and waterproof winter coat is essential. To not give such a sensitive dog this basic item is downright cruel. Your dog may not drop dead, but it will be very uncomfortable without one. The difference between surviving something and being comfortable must be appreciated.

Other Greyhound coats include light waterproof types for showery, warm weather. Many of these will fold up nicely and fit in a bag or pocket. Remember, a cold dog is one thing, a cold wet dog is something else again.

What about hot sunshine?

Here we have an altogether different issue to address. The problems relate to the colour of the dog. A white Greyhound - or any other dog for that matter - can be badly burned as they tend to have areas of exposed pale skin. If your dog is likely to be affected the nose and any other vulnerable areas should be watched and the necessary sun block applied if needed, as Greyhound coats can only cover the body.

Black and other dark coloured dogs absorb heat. There's no argument, black absorbs heat, white reflects, it's basic physics we all learned at school.

There are now reflective Greyhound coats available. These are great as they are a dual purpose garment. The UK isn't unique in having extremely changeable weather, so a "be prepared for anything" approach is required. Fortunately, reflective coats are wind and waterproof as well as being able to reflect the suns heat.

They really do keep a dog cool. Try this if you ever see a lucky Greyhound whose caring owner has kitted out for the sunshine. Having sought the owners permission, feel the top of it's head, then slide your hand under the coat. You will be amazed at the difference in temperature.

Of course, none of this means you should neglect the other aspects of dog ownership, fresh water must always be available and if it is unbearably hot, both you and your dog will be better off in the cool somewhere.

There's never been a better selection of Greyhound coats available.

Our local Greyhound rescue group had a fund raising coffee morning and Christmas fair on Saturday.

We helped out by dressing our dogs up in their Christmas greyhound coats, parading them around Cromer in the freezing cold and passing out leaflets to passers by.  In the photo, Pingu has that far away look we've got used to since the onset of his blindness.  Slinky - on the right of picture - is dreaming of a warm home and a sofa!

Greyhounds dressed up for fund raiser

Considering the weather and the fact that a lot of people were pre-occupied with thoughts of Christmas shopping and getting home before the inevitable rain started.  Many greeted the idea of getting out of the cold for a cup of coffee and helping to raise funds with enthusiasm, whilst others were far to busy.  Some however, when told it was to raise funds to help rescue Greyhounds just grunted and looked at us as though we'd suggest they participate in some un-natural act!

Anyway, the event was a success and I believe enough money was raised to rescue nine dogs.  These are ex-racers from Ireland who would otherwise face an uncertain future.  If only we could rescue all of these poor animals.  It's interesting that our walks around town take us so long.  The reason being that we are stopped so often (even when the dogs aren't dressed up as Santa's little helpers) by people who are totally captivated by these gentle creatures and want to know more about them.  Needless to say, we're only to happy to oblige!  The surprising thing is that so many people are amazed that they make such wonderful pets.. We just keep on spreading the word and hoping it spreads.

Our lovely Pingu whom we rescued two years ago has developed Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) with the result that he is going blind.  This was a huge shock when we discovered it this week.

Our Ex-Racing Greyhound - Pingu.

We had noticed certain signs in the past but assumed his clumsiness resulted from his exuberant approach to life.  He tends to bound up to us, or our other dog Slinky and has even been known to bowl Slinky over!  It all makes sense now and needless to say, we're very upset.

Last week he was in our garden sniffing everywhere over and over again.  His head was swinging from side to side as though he was disorientated.  We guessed his sight was compromised and when we looked, his pupils were huge.  A trip to the vet and then to a canine ophthalmologist confirmed the worst.  He is totally blind in low light and can only make out large objects in full daylight as blurred shapes.  We understand that within 18 months the loss of vision will be total.

It is said that the owners of blind dogs are more upset than the dog and this seems to be the case here.  His behaviour indicates he's still getting used to the situation, possibly because of the varying level of vision he's experiencing.  What he can percieve at mid day is very different from that in the lower light level at 9pm.  The condition is incurable, being hereditary, and progressive.  Onset is probably from around the age of two.  Pingu is now 4 and so more into the advanced stage.

We all have to learn to live with it and take the appropriate precautions such as drawing his attention to any new, or moved, objects in the home.  Obviously he is needing a lot of love and attention.  We will, however, take care not to spoil him as we know from experience that dogs will take advantage if they can get away with it!

I'll write more about our dogs soon.

Few Non-Greyhound owners appreciate just how comical Greyhounds are as pets, so I decided to start publishing some of our pictures of Greyhounds.

The single most endearing habit is what has become known as "Roaching".  Now, I am aware thet many dogs do this - they lie on their backs with their legs in the air.

The vanishing head trick performed whilst roaching. Don't try this one at home!

The big difference is that Greyhounds have turned it into a performance art!  You look across the room and think how cute your dog looks.  Two minutes later it's in a different pose, and so it goes on.

The Geyhounds body is more flexible than most other dogs and so lends itself to the contortions that Greys achieve.  They are able to bend their heads sideways and back to a quite alarming degree.

Turn that light off!

There is an unwitting comedy element to a lot of their posturings that rarely fails to entertain.  It seems that whenever you look at them, there'a chance of a good laugh.

Perhaps this article helps you to understand why Greyhound owners are so in love with the breed.  They are very different from other dogs in many ways.  As I've said elsewhere on this site, the physical characteristics of Greyhounds are unique to the breed: thinner skin and coat, a higher proportion of red blood cells and lighter bones.

There is also a certain aloofness that seems to make their antics all the funnier and also somehow makes you feel really honoured when they select you to give them a cuddle.  That's not to say they're not loving pets, they love affection, and undoubtedly have a need for it.  They do, however like to choose the when and where!

I'm not moving now, this took hours to perfect!

Once they've achieved what they perceive to be an elegant roach position, they like to try all variations of the pose before joining you on the sofa to put their head in your lap and receive the praise they deserve!

Stories are beginning to appear that indicate the pet world is feeling the pinch. Pets of all kinds are being abandoned by owners no longer able to afford them. Whatever you might think of people who abandon their pets, the fact remains that sometimes when faced with the stark choice of feeding their children or their pets, the children win every time.

Dumping a dog is an appalling act that cannot be condoned, but the fact is, it happens, so the best thing is to deal with the consequences rather than wasting our energies wringing our hands trying to stop the unstoppable.

Now more than ever, your local Greyhound, or any other, rescue centre needs support. Whether in the form of money or time, any help would be gratefully received. My local centre Kerry Greyhound Connection relies on donations and we do what we can to help them raise funds, but more is always needed.  Hint, there's a handy PayPal button on their site.

As more dogs are abandoned, so more foster homes are needed. Why not contact your local rescue centre today? You're assured of a warm welcome!

Any Greyhound owner knows that the breed is very different from other dogs. Their fur is thinner, their blood is different from other breeds and even their heart is larger. They are also, of course, a lot faster than other dogs!

Special dogs have special needs and so it is with "Grey's". They feel the cold and therefore should always have a special Greyhound coat on in cold weather.

Many people don't realise the serious risk of heatstroke in strong sunshine. There are reflective coats available which can make summertime a lot safer and more comfortable for your Greyhound.

Collars are another issue, in view of the difference in the construction of a Greyhounds neck and head.  You should always invest in a wide Greyhound collar of soft, but strong, material.  A martingale type is to be preferred.

Do have a look at the selection available from our Greyhound Shop. We hope you find what you're looking for.

Never forget, Greyhounds feel the extremes of temperature and weather. Choose a suitable Greyhound Coat for your pet. Also, a proper collar is essential for your dogs comfort and safety. We hope you find the item you need here.

Check out the Martingale Greyhound collars, they're ideal for a Greyhound. They overcome the danger of your "Grey" slipping backwards out of its collar.

Those chilly days are a major discomfort to a Grey. Keep them snug with a Greyhound Sweater, there's quite a selection available.  For chilly nights, we've even got Greyhound pajamas.

All of the goods above are available from our Greyhound Shop.

What is a Greyhound?

One of the oldest types of dog, the Greyhound is not the first breed that springs to mind when seeking a new pet.

Greyhounds were depicted on the walls of tombs in Egypt and even on the walls of a 6,000 year old temple in Turkey.

Blessed with the most amazing eyesight, they are part of the family of dogs known as sighthounds. This group of dogs, which includes the Afghan Hound, The Borzoi, Saluki and Whippet, hunt by sight rather than by scent. In some ways it could be said that they're cursed by their wonderful sight and amazing turn of speed.

They're used for hunting, particularly Hare coursing and of course, racing. This is where the problems lie. The sheer mindless cruelty of some members of the racing and hunting fraternity beggars belief.

Although it must be said a lot of owners of working Greyhounds are scrupulously caring and kind, there are far too many others who treat their dogs like inanimate objects and literally throw their dogs away in the manner of an old bicycle. Some ex-racers end their lives in the most hideous manner, often at the hands of the hunting fraternity. Others, considered by many to be the lucky ones, are put to sleep by a vet.

The problem is that a dog that can live until it's 12 to 14, only races for a few years, possibly two to three, and is then unwanted. Some small racing kennels keep the dogs as pets but these are the minority.

It's fortunate that Greyhound rescue centres have been set up all over the world and large numbers of these lovely dogs have been saved.

I sometimes look at my two gorgeous "Greys" and think that ones just like them are being beaten and tortured to death in countries such as Spain and elsewhere.

So, what is it like to rescue a Greyhound?

Sometimes when your Greyhound arrives, a certain amount of rehabilitation is required. You may be one of the fortunate majority, and take in a happy healthy hound. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Our two were totally different in nature and condition. One was lively and quite unruly, whilst the other was a sorry sight, painfully thin and terrified of his own shadow. When we took him for his first outing something of his past was revealed: he was terrified of sticks. We live near the coast and during the summer, children are everywhere with crab nets. The poor animal was cringing behind our legs whenever he saw a crab net or fishing rod

It seems that when his racing career came to an end he "fell off the radar" for around 18 months. During this time he became emaciated and acquired a number of scars, some of which are without doubt due to entanglement in barbed wire. He'd obviously been used for coursing.

Eighteen months on, you would not believe he's the same dog. He's put on around 10 kg in weight and is a pleasure to own. We were told that after six months we would have a very different dog. This was true, and ownership of our Greyhounds has been one of the most rewarding experiences of our lives.