Welcome to South West Sight Hounds
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Greyhounds
are one of the most numerous breeds in Rescue Kennels. Many thousands are
retired from racing every year. By the time they are 4
-5years
old their “Useful” life is over. Some as young as 2 years old find their way
into Rescue labeled as “Failed Racers” or “Non-Triers”.
Retired
Racers, in the right home, can and do make the most wonderful pets. Many people
still only imagine Greyhounds as the muzzled ball of energy exploding from the
traps and hurtling around the track at 40 M.P.H. Very different to the usual
view of a retired dog, upside down on the couch with all 4 feet in the air!!
Each
and every one of these dogs deserves the chance of a happy, safe retirement.
We’ll never be able to find homes for all the Greyhounds, sadly there’s far
too many of them. Consider the fact that the average life span of a healthy
Greyhound is 12-14yrs, the number that retire every year and you’ll see what
an impossible situation this is.
You
can help by thinking about a Greyhound when you’re looking for a dog to become
part of your family. Talk to us, or one of the many excellent groups which have
been set up to try and deal with this impossible task, we will help you decide
if a Greyhound is right for you.
Hopefully
you’ll decide it is and go on to take the next step. Some of our Greyhounds
are kept at a small, private kennel in Bristol. I can't pretend it's easy to
find but if you call one of us to discuss rehoming a Grey and all goes well
we're more than happy to give you directions.
One
of the benefits of kenneling our Greyhounds in the middle of Bristol is that
they are walked in all sorts of different situations, they get to meet large
dogs, small dogs, cats and squirrels. In racing kennels they are surrounded by
their own kind and learning to accept that dogs come in different shapes and
sizes is part of their “Introduction to Society”.
Until
fairly recently it was quite uncommon to meet a
“Pet”
Greyhound, thankfully this is now changing. As public awareness to the plight of
these beautiful dogs increases so does the chance of you coming across someone
walking one, two, three or more!!
Never
be afraid to stop them and ask about their pets, the
majority
of owners will be more than happy to tell you the story of how they came to have
one and then found out (too late) that they are addictive.
Due
to their wonderful nature and remarkable adaptability a Greyhound could make a
suitable pet for practically anyone. With the same common-sense precautions that
apply to all dogs they are excellent with sensible children. At the opposite end
of the scale they can be calm, gentle companions for the elderly.
So,
you think a Greyhound could be the dog for you? Take your time and think about
it very carefully. Talk to all family members who will be involved with the dog.
Don’t feel the need to rush into anything; we have a never-ending supply of
Greyhounds.
