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Whether or not you have a greyhound dog or are just thinking about one have you considered how different greyhound dogs are from other breeds?

Every dog breed has their own distinguishing characteristics and greyhounds are no exception. Greyhounds are very special and need particular care and attention that other breeds do not.

According to Alfonso Faustino and Maria Calanchini, founders of GreyhoundDogCare.com (http://www.GreyhoundDogCare.com), the vast majority of greyhounds have had a life as a racing dog and then become domestic pets -- about 95% of the greyhound dogs you will meet are rescued retired racing greyhounds. Most dogs are born and bred to be domestic pets but not is in the case for greyhound dogs, which are raised as race dogs and live that life for years. This unique life creates a somewhat trying situation for dogs transitioning from racers to pets.

Recently, I ran into a greyhound dog-sitter, Janice, who was very upset because she had no idea how to deal with her new greyhound dog, which was temporarily under her care -- she had no specialand detailed instructions. Janice was hired to take care of Gus for two days while his owners were out of town. On her first foray to the dog-park, Janice let Gus off-leash and he shot out of the park into a soccer field full of players and from there straight into a somewhat busy intersection. Janice almost had a heart attack, as she watched Gus take off like a bullet in a straight line with nothing in his way. Gus didn’t listen to her calls at all and the passing cars didn’t deter him from going straight ahead. Gus was trained to be a racer and that is what they do, race straight ahead with blinders on. Janice can’t be blamed for what happened, rather Gus’s owners have to take the blame on this one. They should have known to tell their dogsitter about Gus’s special needs. Maybe they just assumed Janice would know and that is part of the problem.

Alfonso states, "Many [people] assume that greyhounds are like any other dog, but how could they be?...greyhounds would run right through a glass door if they aren’t taught not to...they are programmed as racers. Breaking that programming can be done, but it isn’t easy, and you have to know what to look for, which is the reason you need to work with adoption centers that have animal behaviorists, specifically trained and skilled with retired racing greyhounds."

Alfonso has worked with and owned a greyhound for years, and he is well aware of all their special needs. Sadly, Alfonso states, "It makes me sad to think how many people try taking on a greyhound and have no clue what they are doing -- even the wrong leash and collar on a greyhound can do him harm. Greyhounds can shoot off so fast that if they have a retractable leash they can snap their necks -- this has happened, and it is always because somebody doesn’t know what they are doing."

If you are seriously considering a greyhound or have one already make sure you know how to take care of him and teach him the ways of domestic life. Imagine what it would be like if you lived in a small room your entire life with no outside communication or sense of socialization. You are let out several times a day to run and then to run on a track against other people. As soon as you are done running you are locked in your tiny room again. Now, imagine this has been your life since birth….pretty terrible huh? Now imagine that one day somebody sets you free and let’s you live in a home and have access to everything. It would be exciting and new, and you would know no boundaries in your sense of exploration, seeing everything for the first time. You don’t know good from bad or wrong from right.

Well, that is the life of a greyhound -- make sure you treat them right and show them what a wonderful place the world can be under watchful supervision and guidance.

Author's Resource:

Alfonso Faustino is a proud rescue greyhound owner. He has gone through the rigorous adoption center process and now works with many retired racing greyhound adoption centers to rescue greyhounds and bring awareness to the cause. Also, he just completed his book, Owning A Greyhound...Everything you need to know! Learn more about Alfonso and take advantage of his free greyhound information by visiting www.GreyhoundDogCare.com. Alfonso opposes racing greyhound dogs.

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