In the News: Tails of Marin
Retired Racing Greyhounds Make Great Pets
By Betsy McGee
On most Sundays at the Marin Humane Society’s large grassy dog park, you’ll find a group of long-legged ex-racing greyhounds romping about on the lawn. Their admiring guardians look on, occasionally stepping into the mix to toss a toy or offer a sip of water.
Former racing greyhounds are a unique “rescue” breed. Other purebred breed rescues rehome dogs originally bred to be pets. But the over 300 greyhound rescue organizations in the United States are literally saving the lives of these working dogs bred to serve the dog racing and gambling industries. Strictly a commodity, racing greyhounds are considered disposable. If they aren’t finishing in the money at the dog track, nearly half of all racing greyhounds will be killed – often via gunshot, bludgeoning, or electrocution – unless they come under the protection of a rescue group. Other nonproductive racers may end up being resold to third world countries for a prolonged life in racing, while others may be sold for research or simply abandoned.
The happy greyhounds romping at the dog park are the lucky dogs who have found a new life with a loving family. These special dogs come with special needs.
Greyhounds have thin hair coats and minimal body fat – making them more susceptible to temperature extremes. Though originally bred as desert hunting dogs, these lanky sprinters can be somewhat fragile. One glancing brush-up against a sharp edge or thorny bramble – especially while moving at high speed – can easily tear their skin. That’s why you’ll often see them wearing a special accessory at the dog park – a plastic basket muzzle. The muzzle slips on over their heads, and allows them to eat, drink, pant, and even bark. But with mouths wide open taking in big gulps of air while running at high speed, the glancing touch of a greyhound’s sharp canine tooth can tear the skin of another dog. So the muzzles are all about protecting the dogs from each other when they run together. When socializing outside the dog park, greyhounds are not muzzled and are quite comfortable and relaxed in each other’s company.
Greyhounds make ideal apartment or house dogs. They love to lounge, occasionally stirring themselves for a short play session with a favorite plush squeaky toy, or obliging their guardian with canine companionship on a walk or outing. Often, passersbys stop to inquire about greyhounds, and while their guardian tells their story, their greyhound stands quietly and patiently until it’s time to move on. Greyhounds may seem reserved or aloof when out in public, but they are quite affectionate, and often comical, with family and friends.
People often perceive greyhounds as a “giant” breed requiring a lot of space. In fact, greyhounds weigh about as much as a Labrador (between 60 and 80 pounds), but they have far less energy and endurance. Most greyhounds don’t require a big yard (or a yard at all), and they tend to have polite leash manners. A couple nice on-leash walks each day will serve their exercise needs; the rest of the time they lounge about, content to be near their guardians.
Not all greyhounds can live with small animals – such as cats, rabbits, and even small dogs. As hunting dogs and racers, they’ve been bred to chase small, furry, fast-moving objects. Nevertheless, about half of adoptive greyhounds live very well with other small pets.
Gentle, quiet, sensitive and affectionate, ex-racing greyhounds can make wonderful companions. For more information on these special dogs, contact local rescue organizations, including Greyhound Friends for Life at greyhoundfriendsforlife.org.
Betsy McGee is a canine behavior and training instructor at the Marin Humane Society and a volunteer for Greyhound Friends for Life.
