Lovely New Dog in the Building

[CanadaSue]

A young couple have just adopted an off the track greyhound. What a beautiful animal! He's coloured on the brindle side - a warm tan with black stripes. He's pretty calm & quiet for a dog off the track & owner told me when they went to pick him up, they got a really good briefing on helping make the transition to pet from racing dog.

Nice to see such a stunning animal find what I think is going to be a very good home.

[Potemkin]

Good pet for a runner and jogger. I hope they like to exercise!

If the owners start losing weight you know why.

They are nice dogs, but they are cold natured. I hope it does well in the Canadian winters.

[CanadaSue]

I don't know their own exercise patterns but he did mention they were warned - many times - that these dogs needed REGULAR exercise. I'll be looking for 'Joe' to be sporting a sweater come Novemeber. I hadn't been nose to nose with a greyhound for a long time. I'd forgotten how LEAN these animals are. He's got a lovely demeanour - very calm.

[NowVoyager]

Good for them!!!

There are rescue groups down here that work hard to find homes for retired Greyhounds.

All the Greyhounds I've met have been kind, gentle, quiet and well behaved. Aloof at first, once they get socialized with being part of a loving human family, they make wonderful companions! Smart, loyal and ready to love and be loved!

They do need regular exercise but a couple folks I've met who adopted Greyhounds, also point out they love the chance to become 'couch snugglers'

[CanadaSue]

Aloof is a good description for this dog. I can see that - he was bred, born & trained to work. He's no doubt been handled by a lot of people in his life & I forgot to ask how old he was.

He hasn't given his heart yet.

[NowVoyager]

Originally Posted by CanadaSue

Aloof is a good description for this dog. I can see that - he was bred, born & trained to work. He's no doubt been handled by a lot of people in his life & I forgot to ask how old he was.

He hasn't given his heart yet.

Greyhounds are crated trained from the moment they're weaned. And even as puppies, the human interaction isn't generally 'affectionate or loving'. They're bred and borne for a specific task; a short lived career. Sort of an 'all work / no play' world for them.

But if a person is patient with them and sometimes if they have access to other happy dogs (caution around smaller critters; after all they've been trained / condition to chase a mechanized rabbit) to learn how to socialize and play ... And importantly? Learn by being surrounded by it: affection and love.

I'm not saying these beautiful dogs are mistreated per se, like the scum who abuse Pitties and teach them to fight; but Greyhounds are very sensitive by nature and their early environment isn't nurturing. So as an adult, they need to start from scratch, as it were, learning what affection is ..... Learning to be held and loved, learn that bellies are meant to be rubbed and ears scratched and dog noses, to be given 'poochie smooches'.

It takes time.

But look into their eyes: It's as if they so desperately want to believe a human would be kind to them........ Like they have all this love stored up inside them but aren't sure what it is or how to express it.

Some are less fearful and open up faster, truly blooming with love. Others take longer and might always keep a bit back. But overall they're wonderful dogs and great companions.