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greytone · 02-10-2005, 06:16 PM

Hey Dualman, let me tell you that I have always been a "dog person." We had two beagles when I was growing up and really missed having a dog around while I was in college and then med school. In residency I had to take in house call and was still in an apartment do s pet of any kind was out of the question. When I finished, it took me a few years to build a house and then get the yard fenced in. I planned ahead and read several books about dogs in general and how to pick a breed that matches your lifestyle. Being single, I knew that getting a puppy was not a good idea.

After much thought and research I decided that rescuing a greyhound was my best choice. I have never regreted making that choice but more importantly I am glad I waited.

Greys make great pets for a number of people, but not everyone. They are crate trained (but the concept of a house is new to them) and they are well past the puppy stage. They are greytful for giving them a loving home in their retirement. But they are highly social and therefore are like Lays potato chips. No one stops at just one. I now have two and they are happier when another dog is around. At the track they are kept in crates except for 4 exercise periods a day. I keep mine in a tiled room with plenty of water and food and space and comfortable bedding. It is well heated and air conditioned. I wish I could be home more with them, but I have to work.

This is so much better than they had at the track and they seem very happy. Unfortunately about a third of racers are still euthanized when their racing careers are over.

Different rescue groups disagree about the fence issue. Some will only adopt out to people with fenced yards because greys and other sighthounds should ALWAYS be walked on a leash. Others are OK with a promise to always walk them on a leash. To me this makes sense because they are couch potatos in their retirement and they are great dogs to walk on a lead. I think mine would actually do well in an apartment if I would be better about walking them.

Try a few good books and by the time you get through them you should be pretty confident what will be right for your situation.

02-10-2005, 06:16 PM	#38 (permalink)
greytone Junkie	Hey Dualman, let me tell you that I have always been a "dog person." We had two beagles when I was growing up and really missed having a dog around while I was in college and then med school. In residency I had to take in house call and was still in an apartment do s pet of any kind was out of the question. When I finished, it took me a few years to build a house and then get the yard fenced in. I planned ahead and read several books about dogs in general and how to pick a breed that matches your lifestyle. Being single, I knew that getting a puppy was not a good idea. After much thought and research I decided that rescuing a greyhound was my best choice. I have never regreted making that choice but more importantly I am glad I waited. Greys make great pets for a number of people, but not everyone. They are crate trained (but the concept of a house is new to them) and they are well past the puppy stage. They are greytful for giving them a loving home in their retirement. But they are highly social and therefore are like Lays potato chips. No one stops at just one. I now have two and they are happier when another dog is around. At the track they are kept in crates except for 4 exercise periods a day. I keep mine in a tiled room with plenty of water and food and space and comfortable bedding. It is well heated and air conditioned. I wish I could be home more with them, but I have to work. This is so much better than they had at the track and they seem very happy. Unfortunately about a third of racers are still euthanized when their racing careers are over. Different rescue groups disagree about the fence issue. Some will only adopt out to people with fenced yards because greys and other sighthounds should ALWAYS be walked on a leash. Others are OK with a promise to always walk them on a leash. To me this makes sense because they are couch potatos in their retirement and they are great dogs to walk on a lead. I think mine would actually do well in an apartment if I would be better about walking them. Try a few good books and by the time you get through them you should be pretty confident what will be right for your situation. __________________ I was there to see beautiful naked women. So was everybody else. It's a common failing. Robert A Heinlein in "They Do It With Mirrors"