Retired Greyhounds

[katief123]

I'm a level 3 student at Sheffield City college, and I am studying Animal Care, I am currently undertaking a project about retired Greyhounds and was wondering if you could give me some information on them.

When a greyhound comes in, how do they respond to a kennel environment?

What are the types of things that have happened to them?

How do they respond to other dogs? Do they get on okay with them or are they a bit frightened or funny with them?

Thanks a lot.

Katie.

[allthehounds]

Hi Katie, I can't give you any info about what an ex racing greyhound is like as soon as it comes into a rescue kennels but if you ever want any info about what they're like when they come into a home for the first time and experience things they've never seen before then feel free to e-mail me and ask away! My e-mail is: [e-mail]

Hope you get lots of good material for your project.

Sian.

[julies]

Hi Katie

Those are huge questions ... why don't you visit your local RGT kennels for the ex-racers that come straight off the track and local greyhound rescue (GALA and others have branches up north) for ghreys that have (for whatever reason) not been rehomed by the RGT.

i) In my experience .. greys love kennel routine- ex-racers have been raised and trained in kennels so its very familiar and reassuring to them.

ii) Not quite sure what you mean here ... in racing or outside?

iii) Again this usually depends on how carefully they are socialised when they are first retired - in my experience some are a little concerned by other breeds but accept them as strange beings, others may have a bad experience and like any dog become defensive and frightened.

The wonder and beauty of greyhounds for me is that they have had all the 'wrong' upbringing - no socialisation with the world, a very routine lifestyle and retired from racing/breeding up to any age ... even 10years old yet generally adapt brilliantly to their new life and home comforts.

Best wishes

Julie

[kamkay]

Hi Katie - I live in Sheffield , if you would like to come and meet my ex-racer please pm me. Agree with Julie that it would be a good idea to talk to someone at a kennel where they have ex racers. You could go to Owlerton in Sheffield. Kay

[andywillow]

Hi Katie,

I'm also in Sheffield (well just outside in Dronfield) You could visit the RGT which have their kennels at Wortley. You could even meet up with Kay and me for a walk with our hounds. I've got 5 greyhounds and 2 lurchers here and have fostered lots of greyhounds for Gap. They all are different when they come from racing, some accept small dogs, other certainly do not!
Let me know if you want to meet up for a walk.

[animalslave]

Mine came to me straight from their racing trainer and had never been in a rescue kennels and were both completely different on the two points I have been with them through.
Routine is a big point for my two. They know what means it's food time and what means it's bed time and react accordingly. They also know the routine for toilet and walks and understand what is expected of them when I leave the house without them as I always put my shoes on then let them go to the toilet and put a few toys down before leaving.

My boy Murphy came to me with his fur in pretty good condition but was slightly wary of human contact. Even now if you raise your arm too quickly when stood close to him he will flinch and back away leading me to believe he has been beaten in the past. As he used to win races though he did have better bedding and food than many greyhounds seem to and his fur and weight weren't as bad as many.
My girl on the other hand was the exact opposite, she craves human company and loves to be fussed and played with. Her tail never stops wagging and very little that a human could do besides actually hitting her would scare her. Her fur though was missing in huge patches all over her body and her skin is very dry and flaky. On top of this she was very under weight when I got her and you could clearly see all of her ribs and her hips and backbone.

As for how they react to other dogs this as well was drastically different for our two.
Murphy when we first got him was terrified of other dogs. He would try to run away and on sight of another dog would hide behind my legs however big or small the dog was. If the dog continued to head towards him instead of backing off on this behavior he would then start barking at the other dog until it left him alone.
Mayday again was totally different. She adores other dogs and will approach them tail wagging in an attempt to make friends. She tries to cuddle up to little dogs and mother them and wants to play with larger dogs.
Maydays introduction to our family has calmed Murphy down a lot and he no longer behaves like he is terrified when another dog approaches.
Neither of our dogs have ever tried to attack another dog but would love the chance to chase any birds that dare run along the pavements in front of them.

This is just my experience with just two of the hundreds of greyhounds out there but I hope it helps!