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THE
HISTORY OF GREYHOUNDS
The
origin of the Greyhound is deeply rooted in ancient history.
In fact, morals and paintings of dogs strikingly similar
to today's Greyhound existed over 4,000 years ago.
From
the beginning, the Greyhound was held in high regard in
the Middle East and throughout Europe.
- Their
pictures were etched on the walls of ancient Egyptian
tombs, and Pharaohs rated them first among all animals,
both as pets and hunters.
- The
Arabs so admired the physical attributes and speed of
the Greyhound that it was the only dog permitted to share
their tents and ride atop their camels. In early Arabian
culture, the birth of a Greyhound ranked second only in
importance to the birth of a son.
- In
Persia, Rome and Greece, the Greyhound enjoyed similar
stature and is the only canine mentioned in the Holy Scripture
(Proverbs 30: 29-31).
- Their
link with nobility was established in 1014 when King Canute
of England enacted the Forest Laws, which stated that
only noblemen could own and hunt with Greyhounds.
- Greyhound
racing did not begin until much later in this majestic
breed's history.
- The
Forest Laws were abolished in the 1500's by Queen Elizabeth
1, who later initiated the first formal rules of Greyhound
coursing ( the pursuit of Hares), thus officially inaugurating
the Sport of Queens.
- In
the late 1800's, the Greyhound was imported to America
to help Mid-western farmers control the jackrabbit, a
noted crop destroyer. With the advent of the Greyhound
in America, coursing events soon followed.
- Greyhound
track racing, as we know it today, began with Owen Patrick
Smith's invention of a mechanical lure around 1912, which
made racing around a circular track possible. The first
circular track opened in 1919 in Emeryville, California.
Although this track was not very successful, it paved
the way for the development of the Greyhound racing industry
in America.
- Because
of their loving nature, Greyhounds are the pet of choice
for an increasing number of people. Throughout history
and today, Greyhounds have been pets to a number of prominent
people, including Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, President
Rutherford B. Hayes, General George Custer, President
John Tyler, actress Bo Derek and American Society for
the Prevention of Cruelty To Animals President Roger Caras.
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GREYHOUNDS
AS PETS COMMON QUESTIONS
What
kind of pets do ex-racing Greyhounds make?
Greyhounds
are affectionate, friendly dogs who thrive on attention
and human companionship and make terrific pets. Raised with
their litter mates, where they competed for affection, Greyhounds
love becoming the centre of attention as household pets.
Greyhounds do not usually make good watch dogs. Their friendly
nature is not really very threatening.
Are
they good with children?
More
so than most breeds. They are not as playful as puppies,
of course, being mature dogs, but they are very tolerant
of children and will usually walk away rather than growl
or snap if children become overbearing. This is not to say
that they can't be tormented for long periods of time and
still not growl or snap. Even a gentle Greyhound has its
limits.
How
are they with other pets?
Greyhounds
are friendly by nature and socialize well as a result of
encounters with other Greyhounds in the racing kennel. Cats
are unknown to a Greyhound and a little extra time and care
are required to make a happy home for all.
How
old are retired Greyhounds?
The
retired racers are usually between two and four years old.
What
is their life expectancy?
These
pure-bred athletes enjoy many years of good health. With
proper care, they have a life expectancy of 12 years or
more.
How
much does it cost to own a Greyhound?
After
the initial adoption fee, Greyhounds, like any other dog,
should be given regular veterinary care. It costs about
$1 a day to feed a Greyhound.
Are
ex-racing Greyhounds already housebroken?
Frequently
an adopted Greyhound is completely housebroken right from
the start. In their kennel environment they are turned out
three or four times a day to relieve themselves. Therefore,
racing Greyhounds are kennel-broken, which means they're
trained to go outside and keep their kennels clean. Walk
them frequently at first, and they quickly learn that their
new home is the place they keep clean and outside is where
they go to relieve themselves.
How
big do they get?
Greyhound
males generally stand 26 to 30 inches tall at the shoulder
and weigh between 55 and 85 pounds. Females generally stand
23 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh between 50
to 75 pounds.
Why
do they wear muzzles? Is it because they are so high-strung?
Actually
the Greyhound is a wonderfully unique creature blessed with
both the ability to be very competitive and aggressive while
on the track, yet on the other hand, a very loving and docile
companion, living to please a beloved owner. They wear muzzles
while racing for two reasons: to help racing officials determine
the outcome of a photo-finish race, and to protect the Greyhounds
from injury during the excitement of the chase.
Why
do Greyhounds need to be kept on a leash?
A
leash assures the Greyhound protection from disasters, such
as barbed wire fencing, contact with wild animals, traps
and poison. Greyhounds have no fear of cars and other hazards
in our world and as history has proven, the Greyhound is
an animal born to run. Greyhounds are accustomed to walking
on a leash and enjoy the exercise, as well as the attention
they receive from the people who pass by.
Do
Greyhounds need a lot of exercise?
Greyhounds
easily adapt to the lifestyle of their new owners. Feel
free to take your Greyhound walking or jogging with you
as your exercise regime dictates.
Aren't
all Greyhounds grey?
Not
at all, they are come in many colours - brindle, black,
brown, fawn, or a combination of these colours. The name
Greyhound is not derived from the colour of the animal.
The name originates from three possible sources. The ancient
Greeks may have called Greyhounds "Greekhounds"
or may have named them "Gazehounds", since they
relied on sight rather than smell in hunting. Thirdly, the
name may be derived from the Latin Agre or Agradus meaning
degree, which related to the principle and care in breeding.
Why
are Greyhounds so streamlined?
Greyhounds
are like any other competitive athlete. During their racing
career, they eat heartily (up to two pounds of meat per
day), but burn off excess weight when they run. As a pet,
they eat much less, just four to six cups of dry food a
day.
What
has the life of a racing Greyhound been like?
Greyhounds
spend most of their lives in the company of other dogs.
When they are born, the average litter size is about eight
pups. Young Greyhounds are given a lot of attention and
handled as much a possible. As they approach their first
birthday, their training begins and they are taught to chase
a lure, eventually progressing to a racetrack. Track life
is very routine - feeding in the morning, turnouts in the
exercise yards to relieve themselves and retiring between
races in individual kennel crates. Dogs race every three
to seven days.
What
should I expect if I adopt a Greyhound?
Expect
a gentle, loving pet who, with a little time and patience,
will be a great addition to your family. Because everything
is brand new to the Greyhound, expect him/her to be somewhat
confused and very curious. House manners have to be learned,
but Greyhounds are very intelligent dogs and learn quickly.
Does
my dog need a special space in the house?
In
the kennel, your dog has always had its own kennel crate
where it felt safe and secure. There are a number of ways
to accomplish this in your house. Using a large crate or
having a special bedding area during the first few weeks
will help the Greyhound adjust at his/her own pace to the
unaccustomed freedom of your house. Although many people
feel uncomfortable about using a crate, Greyhounds are quite
at home in them. Indeed, using a crate can provide for a
completely successful transition by affording the dog actual
physical security when left alone during the adjustment
period and thus preventing any possible damage due to separation
anxiety. It also can eliminate any temptation to investigate
the garbage. Another advantage to the crate is that Greyhounds,
like other dogs, instinctively will not soil their own living
space. This makes crate usage a very effective tool in the
housebreaking process.
Why
is routine important to a Greyhound?
Because
Greyhounds are used to having a daily routine in the racing
kennel. They tend to feel more comfortable in unfamiliar
situations if a routine is established with regard to feeding,
answering calls of nature and resting. In a home situation,
until you have established a workable routine with your
Greyhound, you will need to take more frequent trips outside
to avoid accidents.
What
about feeding?
Feed
your dog between four and six cups of dry dog food (kibble)
each day. Gradually, as your dog seems to eat less and begins
to gain weight, you can cut back to three and a half to
four cups of food a day. A limited amount of table scraps
or water from cooked vegetables also can be added to your
Greyhound's food. A special treat might be a large, soft
marshmallow. Avoid rawhide treats! Pigs ears, dog-safe toys,
and cow hooves are OK.
What
sort of medical care will my Greyhound need?
The
best medical care is preventative in nature. Your dog will
need to be checked periodically for worms. Your dog also
should be checked annually for heartworm and placed on heartworm
preventative medication. Your Greyhound's distemper/parvo
vaccination will be up-to-date. Be sure your vet is familiar
with the problems Greyhounds have with anaesthesia and if
your dog's teeth have a build up of tartar, consider having
them cleaned. Greyhounds are particularly sensitive to the
chemical in flea collars. For this reason, the only type
of flea medication that should be used is sprays or powders
containing PYRETHRIN AND PYMETHRINS. As with any pet, regular
veterinary check-ups are recommended. Sentinel is a safe
and useful product for all dogs and is recommended for retired
racing greyhounds. Please ask your vet about the advantages
of using Sentinel as a preventative for heart worm and fleas
as part of the routine health care for you new dog.
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ABOUT
THOSE TATTOOS
All
racing Greyhounds born in the United States are registered
with the National Greyhound Association in Abilene, Kansas.
To provide positive identification they are tattooed in
both ears when about 2 months old. The left ear is tattooed
with the litter identification number assigned by the NGA.
All Greyhounds in the same litter will have this number.
The
tattoo in the right ear tells the Greyhound's age. It consists
of the numbers 1 through 12 for the months of the year,
followed by the last digit the year of birth. For example,
107 would indicate the Greyhound was born in October 1997
while 66 would indicate June 1996. To differentiate between
Greyhounds in the same litter, the letters A, B, C, and
so on follow the month and year. Therefore, Greyhounds in
the same litter would all have the same tattoos as far as
litter registration number, month, and year but would be
differentiated from each other by a letter of the alphabet.
Thus, no one can ever lie about a Greyhound's true age,
nor can dogs be switched in a race as tattoos are checked
prior to the start of each race.
True,
the numbers representing years repeat after ten years, but
it is very easy to differentiate a 12 year old Greyhound
from a 2 year old. Other countries have different registration
systems. For example, Irish Greyhounds are also tattooed
in their ears, however, the Irish registry uses a series
of letters rather than numbers and the tattoos can only
be interpreted with the aid of the registry itself.
Pet Greyhounds my also be tattooed at the owners request
on the inside to the thigh for registration with other tattoo
registries such as National Dog Registry (NDR) or Tattoo-A-Pet.
All NGA registered dogs can be registered (with written
permission form the NGA) with the CKC, UKC, and the AKC.
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