Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Five Reasons to Adopt a Retired Racing Greyhound


Greyhound Dog Racing Tips.

As more people become aware of the awful conditions in which racing Greyhounds live, more dog racetracks are being closed down. It seems that more and more people are not willing to tolerate animal cruelty by supporting dog tracks and that's a good thing! Animal rescue groups are committed to saving racing Greyhounds and are helping to pass various laws that protect these beautiful dogs.

When a dog track closes its doors for the last time, hundreds, if not thousands, of racing hounds are left without homes. What happens to them? Sadly, some are euthanized while others are simply dropped at the pound. Thankfully, many retired racing Greyhounds are picked up by various dog rescue groups and placed into loving, forever homes! So why should you consider adopting a retired racing Greyhound? Well, there are many reasons! Below are five of the best.

First and foremost, you are saving a dog's life! Retired racing Greyhounds that end up at the pound are euthanized if a home is not found within a few days. Did you know that approximately 7000 retired racers are put to death each year? What a SAD and horrible statistic! Even if the Greyhound isn't the dog for you, adopting a dog (no matter what breed) is much better than buying one! Adoption is the best option as you are saving a life and providing a home for a dog that deserves to know what it is like to live with a loving and loyal family.

If you adopt a retired racing Greyhound you will most likely be getting an adult dog. Regardless of the breed, adult dogs are wonderful and should not be overlooked! When you adopt an older dog you get to see their adult personality and temperament. In other words, you know what you are getting! You also get to bypass the puppy stage which includes indoor accidents and of course, chewing! This is not to say that an adult dog won't have any accidents. After all, even the best dog in the world may need a house-training refresher course. However, reminding an adult dog of their potty manners is much easier than housebreaking a puppy!

The third reason retired racing Greyhounds make wonderful pets is due to the fact that they are gentle, quiet and loving! For some reason, many people think that Greyhounds are aggressive dogs when in fact; they are quiet, gentle and very loyal! They also blend well into families with well-mannered children! Most people have only seen Greyhounds either on the racetrack or in photos. Racing Greyhounds wear muzzles on the track and muzzled dogs often appear mean and aggressive. In reality (as mentioned above) greyhounds are truly wonderful, gentle canines!

If you want a clean canine then the greyhound is the dog for you! The coat of the Greyhound is so short and light it requires little grooming! Expensive trips to the dog groomer are not necessary! They also do not have oily coats, therefore, they aren't as prone to that wonderful doggy odor we all know and love. If you want a low maintenance dog when it comes to coat care, please consider adopting a retired racing Greyhound!

Finally, the last reason you should adopt a retired Greyhound is because they do NOT require a lot of exercise! Most people think that because Greyhounds are bred to race, they require a huge time commitment when it comes to walks and trips to the dog park. Well, my furry loving friends, that is simply not true. Yes, Greyhounds need exercise and daily walks, however, they do not require any more than any other average dog! If you think about it, Greyhounds are sprinters not marathon runners! On average, most racing Greyhounds only race two to three times per week. The rest of the time they are sitting in a crate or in a dog run. If you adopt a retired racing Greyhound, you can expect your pup to run like crazy for a short time and then turn back into the couch potato that they truly are.

If you are considering adopting a dog, why not adopt a retired racing Greyhound! Not only will you be adding a wonderful, gentle dog to your family, you will be giving a dog a second chance by allowing him to experience life beyond the walls of the dreadful dog track. All dogs deserve forever, loving homes and the retired racing Greyhound is no exception!

Greyhound Dog Racing.