The Professionals & Cons Of Greyhound Adoption

Up to date November 28, 2020

Take a look on the figures above. Any legit canine rescue charity would dream of numbers like these.

These are what greyhound adopters reported in a latest research, and I’m not shocked. I see great ranges of satisfaction amongst greyhound house owners. They’re a real different for brand spanking new canine house owners.

Like all canine breeds, there are good factors and likewise issues it’s worthwhile to know. That is your evidence-based information to what to anticipate from an adopted Greyhound. Let’s begin with the nice issues.

What’s Nice About Greyhounds

1. They’re quiet: research present decrease ranges of nuisance barking than common canine
2. They’ve low aggression in the direction of individuals: this was one of many key findings from the Howell research
3. They’re good with kids: the identical research additionally confirmed that they are often thought-about a family-friendly canine
4. They’re good on lead: research present this however you’ve little question additionally seen how mild they’re on walks
5. They don’t want a number of train: They love a run, and nonetheless want a day by day stroll, however nothing too strenuous- bizarre, huh?
6. They’re wholesome: take a look at their inbreeding coefficient and also you would possibly simply guess why

Plus you get a heat, fuzzy feeling from figuring out you saved one. I don’t wish to depress you with the numbers however they aren’t good.

Selecting A Greyhound

All breeds have professionals and cons, and Greyhounds aren’t any totally different. Nonetheless, earlier than I listing potential points, let me say this: select your Greyhound rescue organisation fastidiously and also you’ll profit later. Search for a standardised behavioural evaluation of:

• Acceptance of dealing with
• Useful resource guarding
• Response to new conditions
• Prey drive in the direction of small canine and cats, each on and off the lead

With so many needing adoptions, it’s higher for everybody to use strict choice standards firstly. And it exhibits within the figures. The reported failure charges of three.2% after 1 month and  7% after 6 months are as little as it will get.

Do Greyhounds Want Muzzles?

The foundations on greyhound muzzling range from state to state. Muzzles aren’t required to be worn in Victoria, whereas in NSW a retraining program is required first. In South Australia, there are 3 ways to get a muzzle exemption:

• Greyhounds adopted by means of the GAP program could be awarded the numbered inexperienced collar that entitles them to go with out a muzzle
• GAP also can organise (for a price) the evaluation of Greyhounds who weren’t acquired by means of this system
• Personal evaluation can be potential by certified and accredited individuals (see us for suggestions in Adelaide)

In every case, as soon as a canine has handed their evaluation, the proprietor/adopter sends the signed paperwork away to obtain a license card that they then carry always when out with out a muzzle.

Different Greyhounds have to be muzzled when not in your property. It’s not as dangerous because it sounds- their light-weight wire muzzles aren’t a significant drawback both in seems to be or use. Greyhounds should even be on a leash always when in public. Lately South Australia has been trialing greyhound days at sure off leash canine parks however it’s worthwhile to e-book these shortly as demand is excessive.

Attainable Issues With Greyhounds

Medically, Greyhounds are a wholesome breed and you’ll anticipate few issues. Three notable exceptions are:

This desk exhibits the extra frequent behaviour issues reported in two main research. If the figures appear exaggerated, it’s value noting that I mixed ‘typically’, ‘usually’ and ‘at all times’ to get these numbers. I’ll clarify them afterwards.

So we have now two major points:

1. Predation and aggression in the direction of small or unfamiliar animals
2. Anxiousness and concern in a spread of conditions

The Australia-New Zealand research was achieved just one month after adoption, which I believe explains the a lot larger fee of destruction and separation anxiousness.  This truth additionally offers hope that these behaviours will quiet down.

You’ll be able to learn extra about anxiousness post-adoption right here.

To me, the larger potential subject is predation and aggression in the direction of cats, small canine, and unfamiliar animals. Whereas frequent in concept, in sensible phrases it’s virtually by no means an issue. Greyhounds ought to have been pre-assessed earlier than adoption, and particularly if they’re screened for a muzzle exemption.

If you happen to personal a cat, care continues to be advisable, particularly initially. Even in case you are not required to make use of a muzzle in public it’s smart to make use of one at dwelling till you understand issues are OK.

The varied anxiety-related behaviours in all probability come from the disadvantaged environments these canine lived in earlier than adoption. They appear to enhance with time, aside from one.

It’s possible you’ll simply need to get used to having a quiet and mild shadow round the home. It’s a small value to pay for rescuing such a good looking animal from oblivion.

Additional Studying

Elliott, R., Toribio, J. A. L., & Wigney, D. (2010). The Greyhound Adoption Program (GAP) in Australia and New Zealand: A survey of homeowners’ experiences with their greyhounds one month after adoption. Utilized animal behaviour science, 124(3-4), 121-135.

Howell, T. J., Mongillo, P., Giacomini, G., & Marinelli, L. (2018). A survey of undesirable behaviors expressed by ex-racing greyhounds adopted in Italy. Journal of Veterinary Conduct.

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By Andrew Spanner BVSc(Hons) MVetStud, a vet in Adelaide, Australia. Meet his group right here.