OUR LATEST ISSUE
Ciao to the chihuahua, greetings to the greyhound
"As naturally gentle and affectionate dogs, greyhounds make excellent pets"
Advertorial It is no surprise that dogs are heralded as man’s best friend. As all dog lovers know, they make the most consistent companions. Recent years may have seen the rise of the handbag hound but national rehoming charity, the Retired Greyhound Trust (RGT), is urging dog lovers to say ciao to the chihuahua and greetings to the greyhound.
People searching for perfect pets sadly often overlook greyhounds, dismissing them as boisterous racing dogs. Champions of the breed however know there is much more to these athletic and elegant animals than a night at the dogs.
Greyhounds are one of Britain’s most illustrious breeds, a fact all too often forgotten. Once protected by law as a breed solely for the nobility, greyhounds only took to the tracks for the first time in the 1890s. Now over 10,000 greyhounds retire from racing each year.
Established in 1975 to find homes for those hounds ready for life in the slow lane, the RGT is committed to spreading the word that greyhounds make great pets. The charity now rehomes some 4,000 ex-racers each year.
“Because they are best known as racing dogs, people often assume that greyhounds need a lot of exercise, however nothing could be further from the truth,” explains Ivor Stocker, Director of the RGT.
“Greyhounds like nothing better than to curl up in their baskets for a nap once they retire and need only one or two short walks each day to stay happy and healthy. As naturally gentle and affectionate dogs, they make excellent pets.”
Just like their owners, greyhounds each have their own personality, likes and dislikes. RGT volunteers can always find the perfect match for each greyhound and new owner so you can find the canine companion that will best suit your lifestyle, whether you live in town or the country, have other pets or children, work from home or have busy days at the office.
It is well documented that owning a dog is good for the mind, body and soul. Always glad to see you when you come home, dogs are great companions and a wonderful stress reliever at the end of a busy day.
Providing you with your own personal trainer, there’s no better reason to get out and about in the great outdoors than giving your four-legged friend a stroll. A few laps of the park and a game of fetch and you will both be ready to snooze on the sofa when you get home.
With their long elegant necks and fine features, greyhounds really are the supermodels of the canine world. As a recent RGT awareness-raising event, the Kings Road Ramble, proved, when out on a walk ex-racers never fail to attract attention. London’s smart Sunday shoppers certainly couldn’t help but stop to stroke the handsome hounds and find out about their history – heralding the start of a new era for these all too often forgotten dogs.
With over 70 rehoming centres spanning the length and breadth of the country, there is plenty of opportunity to find out more about the breed and adopting a greyhound from the charity. To find your nearest branch you can log onto www.retiredgreyhounds.co.uk or call 0844 826 8424.
