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Retired Racers Make Great Pets
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I wanted a dog, but I had no particular breed in mind. My only
criteria was that I adopt him or her from an animal shelter.
I searched the internet for dog shelters and came across many greyhound
pages. Adopt
a Greyhound fascinated me. Interested, I
looked for a local greyhound shelter and found Greyhound
Pets of America / Houston. GPA has a great website, so I looked
into the facility. In a few days I was volunteering there!
The web sites above contain valuable information about the general demeanor of greyhounds.
They address such issues as:
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Are greyhounds aggressive?
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Greyhounds are laid-back "lovebugs".
They are much more inclined to walk away from a hostile situation than to fight.
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Are greyhounds good with children?
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Greyhounds are gentle.
However, children should be taught that greyhounds sleep a lot
(they are not *constant* playmates),
they should call a dog before waking him, and that open doors/gates can be dangerous. The parents must be
responsible and teach their child how to treat an animal with respect.
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Are greyhounds good with other animals?
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Many greyhounds get along fine with cats and
small dogs.
They are tested at the kennel for temperament. You should be encouraged to bring non-human members of your family
to meet a prospective dog. If not, find another shelter.
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Are greyhounds hard to train?
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Greyhounds are kennel trained in their racing career and easily housebroken.
Their calm demeanor does not demand much obedience training, but they are intelligent and eager to please.
They are sensitive animals.
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Do greyhounds need a lot of exercise?
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They need no more exercise than the average dog.
Much to my dismay, I have seen several dog books that say a greyhound
needs to run several miles a day. This is simply not true.
A couple of walks per day will
suffice. An occasional run in
a fenced area would also be enjoyed.
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Can I get a greyhound if I live in an apartment?
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Many people own a greyhound or two in a one bedroom apartment.
They do not need as much space as many other dogs their size.
If you lease your home, check with the
owner/leasing office for weight
limits before committing to a greyhound. If you have access to a fenced area, they would appreciate a short run, but long walks are good, too.
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Greyhound
Pets of America (GPA) is a national, non-profit organization
dedicated to finding responsible, loving homes for retired
racing greyhounds. They are an adoption organization only and generally receive their dogs from
greyhound owners who want to place their dog in a caring home.
GPA
Houston has plenty to offer, like the Bath
Brigade, Storefronts (Meet 'N' Greet), Park (FENCED!) Runs, Seasonal
Events, and a "greyt" community.
Want to see a greyhound close to home? If
you live in Houston, look for them at a Barnes
& Noble near you. Between Thanksgiving and
Christmas, GPA humans and greys are invited to
do complimentary gift-wrapping in the store! That just illustrates how well-behaved these pups are :-)
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