If I ever thought about greyhounds, I might have placed a bet on a dog race or wondered if they were dangerous because they legally have to wear muzzles.
To be honest, I had absolutely no idea about greyhounds and I started asking around in the hope of meeting some.
The first one I met was being walked by an older gentleman past the cafe where I was having coffee with a friend. First impressions – bigger than I expected, quiet and very easy to manage on a lead, very soft fur and no muzzle. She was a pretty brindle, about 3 years old, that had been adopted after her racing career had finished. Her new owner soon realised that she didn’t need a muzzle but as she’s supposed to wear it in public by law, he had it hanging off his belt “just in case”. This was something I would come to hear on a regular basis. I remember my Pop used to always struggle to hold his blue heeler and kelpie on their leads and often thought they would be the cause of a hip replacement. This gentleman’s greyhound stood quietly while we talked with only mild interest in what was going on around her leaving me with the impression that they are ideal dogs for older people. She also wasn’t pushy when she asked for a pat, she just put her head near my hands and waited – so polite! And so very soft! Not what I expected at all!
My next encounter was with a group of greyhounds living in one house, some had already been adopted and some were being fostered. When I knocked on the front door I only heard one dog barking and I was told later that she thought her owner had come home. First impressions – bigger than the last one I met, lots of different colours, musical beds and lots of lolling about, quiet and polite. The adoptees were used to life away from the track but the fosters were still trying to figure out things like ceiling fans and glass doors. The most nervous one paced the room below the offending fan until I reached out a hand; she came over and stood quietly as I stroked her face and down her back surprised again at just how soft the fur was.
Meeting number three was another group of adopted and fostered greyhounds. First impressions – no barking, lots of noses sniffing my hands when I met them (but no jumping or other bad behaviour), quiet inside but playful outside, huge thigh muscles that make it difficult for them to sit, bossed around by a Jack Russell, ignored the 3 cats inside the house, amazing with kids.
Number four was a new foster. He was still getting used to houses, windows and tv’s. First impressions – stressed in the form of pacing, a slightly higher energy level than other greyhounds I’d met, put up with a 3 year old leading him around and blind bird sitting on his collar. Greyhounds are “handled” on the track, they are put here, picked up there, turned around, vet checked, etc, etc. By the time they become pets they are so used to being handled and touched that they will pretty much put up with anything!
Next I’m hoping to meet some working dogs!
