Reasons NOT to Adopt a Greyhound
Don’t adopt a greyhound just to
"save" one. If you really, truly want to
adopt a dog, THEN consider adopting. You should
never adopt any dog simply out of pity. These are
living, breathing creatures, not a political
cause.
Don’t adopt a greyhound if you are looking
for a guard or watch dog.
Don’t adopt a greyhound if you want a dog who
will "rough-house" with you. Greyhounds
are usually more reserved in nature and will not
usually play rough and rowdy with humans.
Don’t adopt a greyhound if you are looking
for a dog who will play fetch non-stop. Greyhounds
are not endurance dogs, they are sprinters meaning
they prefer to play for a few minutes and then
rest for a few hours.
Don’t adopt a greyhound if you want a dog
that will be immediately outgoing and playful.
Some greyhounds may take months to unwind enough
to relax and feel comfortable in their new homes.
Patience is a MUST when adopting a greyhound.
Don’t adopt a greyhound if you don’t have
time to help it adjust to its new home. Greyhounds
must be taught about many things that we take for
granted. They must be taught to climb stairs,
avoid windows, learn about pools, slippery floors,
other pets, children, etc. Most retired greyhounds
have never seen these things prior to entering
your home.
Don’t adopt a greyhound if you think your
greyhound can spend more than just a few minutes
outdoors. They can’t handle extreme hot or cold
temperatures and must be kept as indoor dogs only.
Don’t adopt a greyhound if you don’t like
visiting the vet (or can’t afford to). Greyhound
skin is thin, and sometimes greyhounds get injured
simply while playing in the yard or house and may
require medical attention.
Don’t adopt a greyhound if you want a dog
that can go for walks or hiking with you
off-leash. Greyhounds have too much instinct to
chase small animals and moving objects. And it is
nearly impossible (and much to dangerous) to train
this instinct away.
Don’t adopt a greyhound (or any dog) if you
don’t have the time to give the dog several
hours of attention every day. It is not fair to
any dog to be left home alone all day while you
work and then again all evening while you are out
socializing.
Don’t adopt a greyhound if you don’t have a
fenced yard AND you aren’t sure you can commit
to taking your greyhound out for several leashed
walks every day even in nasty weather or when you
are not feeling well.
Don’t adopt a greyhound if you aren’t
willing to commit to it for the rest of its life.
This means through the good times and the bad
times. Just like children, greyhounds are not
perfect and they may do things you may not like.
And when they become older, medical concerns may
arise that require a physical, mental and
financial investment from you. If you aren’t
willing to care for them as you would a child,
greyhound adoption may not be right for you.
Courtesy of Central
Virginia Greyhounds
For more information on our group or inquiries
regarding dog adoption, please contact us…
Phone: (403) 252-7534
Email: info@sagaa.org
Website: www.sagaa.org
Feb 14, 2006 5:48 PM
