[Dog_Shrink]

Originally Posted by RBark

I am trying to understand what you are saying, not twist your words.

If someone uses a dog solely to make a profit, what's wrong with that if the dog is not abused, and is happy to do it's job? Or am I misunderstanding you?

If the dog is well cared for and loves the job that also garners the handler/owner a profit then that is different... I'm talking about those who only care about profit and not the dog and sees it as nothing more than a way to make money. The dog's happiness is not considered and only cared for until it's usefulness runs out. Hopefully that will clarify and questions that are left from my statements.

[Nargle]

Lovemygreys: Since you obviously have quite a bit of experiece with racing greyhounds, I have a couple of questions for you. The majority of the racing greyhounds live at the race track, correct? Exactly how are these dogs socialized? Are they frequently walked or taken out to "see the world?" I've heard that greyhounds aren't the most independent breed, and they love their people. Are they getting all of the affection/attention they need? How? What kind of kennels to they live in? Do they get daily activity/exercise/time to play, or are they kept kenneled until they get to run once every few days? How are they trained?

I admit I hardly know anything about racing greyhounds, though I am curious about the kind of lives these dogs live.

[Willowy]

One of the HSUS allegations was that a lot of Greyhound puppies are born who never see the track (they say they're killed). Is that true? I've never heard of someone getting a Greyhound puppy. Are they killed or sold to pet homes?

[tigress]

Originally Posted by lovemygreys

Do you really believe that? Does it really make sense to you that people who have invested thousands of dollars in a performance animal would have it abused like that?

Look, I'm sure there are racing greyhound owners that love their dogs too and take care of them (I've heard that as well and I mean there are all sorts of people). But yes, I do believe there is a lot that it's just a money making procedure. Just like with finding a good breeder. There are puppy mills and backyard breeders who just care about the money, and there are people who are doing it solely cause they love the breed.

And honestly, the perons I heard it from, has no reason to lie and it was not something she heard, it was something she experienced (while she was in Vegas. She's in Washington now and you don't see that here. But I do get to see my friend's dogs who have tick disease and apparently they have a high incidence of tick diseases cause of the conditions they were put around for example. Not as extreme as the Vegas example).

It probably differs depending on what area you are in too the amount of crap you see like that as well. I know Canada in general has a lot better conditions requirements overall than the US.

So your experience might vary depending on where you are.

[agility collie mom]

On a positive note. The vet I work for is looking into fostering a dog from this track. I told him about this post and he knows a lot of greyhound people. He is the one that lost his wonderful Ollie earlier this year. Because of this post (which I mentioned to him) he is ready and looking for another greyhound! So thank you for posting this. It has helped him get past his grief and think of helping another wonderful greyhound. Thank you thank you thank you! (I never told him that the article said that they were going to be euthanized. I just told him that the track was closing and greyhounds needed homes.)