Do you have room for a Greyhound? (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

Do you have room for a Greyhound?

11:20am Tuesday 27th May 2008

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By Flash Bristow »

Whatever your opinion on greyhound racing, the news that Walthamstow stadium is to close is affecting many people in the area. Loads of healthy dogs will need rehoming, so if you are considering getting a dog this summer, what about a greyhound?

I can tell you what a great pet they make - 4 years ago, I adopted an ex-racer. Their nickname "40mph couch potato" is well deserved - just one or two 20 minute walks per day, and they are ready to sleep it off much of the rest of the time!

Greys aren't stupid either. At least mine isn't - I was brought up with labradors and expected him to learn just as fast. I was amazed when a dog behaviouralist was impressed by his training.

Ok, he's never going to be a retriever, but he's a friendly and(largely) obedient family pet - he's learnt what I've told him and does his best, at least when he knows he is being watched!

Technically as they have very short fur, greys are great for people with allergies, and they keep themselves meticulously clean like a cat. They will be your shadow as you move around the house, great company if you are home alone during the day.

Of course there are downsides - as they are trained to race after a hare, they aren't safe around small furry animals (be they rabbits, cats, or sometimes small dogs). For sure, you can get a dog which is less keen to chase - but if you get a racer which is still very driven, you can expect squirrels, pigeons and everything else to flee in terror from your garden!

Greys won't make a guard dog either. They are more likely to lick the burglar than bark at him - although my dog does tell me when the phone's ringing or the microwave has finished cooking.

Which reminds me - greys are very food oriented. This is a double-edged sword; great when you need an incentive in training, but mortifying when your dog eats the builders' sandwiches...Make sure you put a bell on the kitchen bin so you can hear if it's being broken into - there's little they won't try to eat!
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All in all, greyhounds make gentle, adorable pets. They are great with kids too, in fact my dog has lots of little fans who say hello on walks, even though they are barely tall enough to pat him on the head!


I would never suggest anyone takes on a pet lightly - but if you are thinking of getting a dog then please consider a Stow greyhound. They retire at 4 years or under and have a decade of life and enthusiasm still to share with you.
And if nothing else but you fancy an evening of good fun, please come to Walthamstow Stadium on 9 June - it's a fundraising event for the rehoming kennels. My dog will be in the parade of retired dogs, under his racing name of Majopa Owl. Come and support us and the other ex-racers!

Here's a link to the rehoming kennels:
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/greyhounds/

and to my own site about rehoming a hound:
http://www.gorge.org/greyhound

See you at the Stow!