By Jay, from The Depp Effect

Every year, thousands of greyhounds retire from racing.  Luckily for them, more and more people are realizing what great pets they can make.

The most cat-like of all dog breeds, these are easy dogs to care for.  They are sprinters with only a short burst of energy at their disposal, so they don’t need hours of walking – twenty minutes twice a day will do, and then they’ll most likely rest quietly for hours on end.

Greyhounds have a short, non-oily coat and are often thought of as ‘low-allergen’ dogs.  Their fur is soft and fine, they shed less than most breeds, and need minimal grooming.

Questions?

How old are they when they retire?

Most are between three and five years old when they retire.  Some get rejected as pups because they aren’t fast enough or won’t chase, so they retire early.  Some go on to be brood mothers or stud dogs and retire later.

What can I expect when I bring a new greyhound home?

It depends whether they come straight from the racing kennel or they’ve been fostered in someone’s home.  Dogs who’ve been fostered are more than halfway to becoming a great pet already, whereas dogs coming straight from the kennel will need some help getting used to living in a house.  They won’t understand glass doors, stairs, or slippery floors.  They may be freaked out by vacuum cleaners, washing machines, televisions, and children, and may never have seen a bus or cycle.  However, most of them quickly adapt with gentle handling and patience.

One important thing to remember is that newly retired greyhounds are unlikely to have been left alone, ever.  They are born and raised in a kennel and they spend their working lives in the constant company of other dogs, so when they retire, most will need some degree of ‘alone’ training before they are happy to be left on their own for more than a few minutes.

What kind of health problems can I expect?

Greyhounds are pretty healthy dogs but they do have one or two little medical quirks.  Thin-skinned, with little or no subcutaneous fat, they can suffer badly from extremes of heat and cold.  And that thin skin can tear easily, so they are more vulnerable to cuts and scrapes.

Their blood chemistry is different to other breeds, too, and they are extra sensitive to some anesthetic agents, drugs, and pesticides, but this isn’t a huge problem, your vet should already know about these.

They have very few genetic diseases, though the American lines seem to have a high incidence of osteo-sarcoma, a form of bone cancer.  Treatments are available, and research is continuing, but it’s something to be aware of.

Since greyhounds are a deep-chested breed, new owners will need to familiarize themselves with the symptoms of bloat, or gastric torsion.  It’s rare, but when it happens it is a medical emergency and there is no first aid option.  Affected dogs need to see a vet immediately.

Apart from that, you can just expect the usual kind of doggy issues.

What about behavior and training?

Being hounds, ex-racers may need a different approach to training.  Greyhounds are independent and can seem stubborn if you’re used to a ‘people-pleaser’ breed like a retriever or collie, but clicker training works really well, and all you need is plenty of patience and understanding.

The biggest issue with greyhounds is that they’ve been bred for thousands of years to hunt small animals.  You should bear in mind that this was pretty much their job when racing, too, although at the track they chase an artificial lure.  So, most will need careful introduction to small furry creatures, because it’s instinctive for them to chase and kill animals such as rabbits, squirrels, and possibly cats – and some even need to be persuaded that other breeds of dog can be friends.

Having said that, it is possible to socialize greyhounds, and many live happily alongside rabbits, chickens, cats, ferrets and other pets.  However, there are those who cannot.

Whether or not they are safe with smaller animals, greyhounds are a very gentle and reliable breed with people.  They are well used to being handled at the track, and some go on to become therapy dogs, visiting folk in hospitals and care homes, providing comfort and non-judgemental love.

There are always young, healthy greyhounds needing homes.  But don’t adopt a greyhound because you feel sorry for him and want to rescue an ‘abused’ animal.  Greyhounds actually love to race.   Adopt a greyhound if you truly think he will fit your lifestyle and you believe you can provide for his needs.  These are gentle, sensitive dogs, and capable of great devotion.  If you do adopt one, you’ll be rewarded with a faithful and very loving companion.

Resources:

http://www.greytalk.com – a forum for the owners of the ex-racing greyhound.

http://dancinggreyhound.com.p11.hostingprod.com/no_fear_no_pain – a lecture by Kathleen Gilley on understanding the ex-racer.  Kathleen teaches these dogs to ‘dance’ and runs a dynamic off-lead display team.

‘Retired Racing Greyhounds for Dummies’ by Lee Livingood

‘Adopting the Racing Greyhound’ by Cynthia Branigan

Pet therapy is becoming a standard in many hospitals, including children’s hospitals.  There are pet therapy volunteer programs that bring dogs and other animals directly to patients and staff alike.   Some children’s hospitals even have “baseball cards” featuring each therapy animal that the children can collect during extended stays.

Touching a pet can lower blood pressure, help a disturbed patient to connect quickly to health care workers and speed healing for both children and adults alike.  Amazingly, interaction with a pet can bring an Alzheimer’s patient back to “the present.”  It can also calm children with attention deficit disorder and reduce depression rates in hospitals and elderly care facilities.

Do you think your dog or other pet would be a good therapy animal?  Hospitals in particular have necessary strict guidelines for animals that enter the facility.

Dogs must usually be at least a year old and have been owned by one person for at least six months.  The dog cannot have any bite history and might be required to graduate from a certified training course.

Your dog or other pet must be calm as many hands come near the animal.  Facilities will also require bathing and grooming to be performed before visits, and certification of health by a veterinarian is a must.

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital has a pet therapy program with a straightforward behavior test for potential dog volunteers.  They have an excellent standardized dog therapy test that can give you an idea of whether your dog has the potential to work in therapy situations.

If you think your pet would make an excellent therapy animal, talk to your local hospital or elderly care center about their pet therapy requirements.  The benefit both you and your pet receive will far outweigh the time it takes to complete the pet therapy prerequisites!

You may have heard of probiotics. They are good for your digestive system, and now there are suggestions that they may also benefit your dog. 

Here are the facts about probiotics, and how they can be beneficial in our dogs. 

1. Probiotics are food supplements which contain bacteria or yeasts. These organisms are completely harmless, but may be useful in adding healthy bacteria to your dog’s intestinal tract.

 2. Probiotics protect your dog from infection by bacteria that may make him ill. They usually work in his gastro-intestinal tract, doing their job in several ways. They kill any harmful bacteria in his intestines, and they also support his own immune sytem so he can fight off unhealthy bacteria. 

3. They appear to be particularly beneficial to those dogs with bacterial overgrowth in their intestines. Many vets find them helpful in treating dogs with diarrhea and flatulence. Some studies also suggest that they may be of some use in cases of infection elsewhere in the body, particularly the skin. If a dog is on antibiotics for a long period of time, the medication may also affect the numbers of bacteria in his intestines, causing a secondary diarrhea. Probiotics can help restore his intestinal bacterial population to normal.

4. Natural yogurt contains lactobacillus, bacteria that are often used as a probiotic. So, can you give your dog yogurt to keep his intestines healthy? Not necessarily. There’s no proof that all bacteria are effective in all species, and in fact, some probiotics work better in people than in other species, and vice versa. So, lactobacillus may not work in your dog. Even if you feed him a commercial human probiotic, it still may not do him any good. You may want to use a probiotic that has been specifically formulated for dogs. One such product is Fortiflora, manufactured by Purina. As an alternative, you may choose a dry dog kibble which has a probiotic in it, so each time your dog has dinner, he’s giving his intestines a dose of healthy bacteria.

5. Probiotics need to be stored carefully. They are living bacteria, and can die off if they become too hot, if they’re exposed to excessive light or if they’re left on the shelf for a long time. If you’re buying a probiotic, check the expiration date, and ask how it has been stored, so you know whether or not the bacterial count may have been reduced by poor storage. 

So, do you use a probiotic in your dog, or not?  It’s not something that you’d necessarily feed a healthy dog. However if your dog has an upset stomach or loose bowels, it’s worth considering. They are very safe, have no side effects, and you can sneak them into your dog’s food or water. Why not try them out? They may just make a difference.

Some dog owners are doing just that.  There is a strain of flu that some dogs are contracting called the H3N8 flu strain, also known as the canine influenza virus.  Many vets are currently seeing the canine flu in their area.  Furthermore, some dog daycare centers and boarding businesses are requiring H3N8 vaccinations for their doggie boarders.

The canine flu cannot be transferred to humans.  Dogs with the canine flu experience respiratory symptoms which can actually lead to pneumonia.  Dogs might present with a bad cough and mucus discharge.  Fortunately, very few dogs have died from the canine influenza virus.

The canine influenza virus is highly contagious in the dog population.  If you board your dog, you should talk to your veterinarian about the H3N8 vaccination.

Unfortunately, it is not safe to simply “toss” dog waste into your compost bin.  The waste must reach a particular temperature to kill worms and other bacteria.  Furthermore, it must be composted with specific ingredients that help to break down the feces.  Dog matter should never be used in vegetable gardens, and homemade dog poop compost can also cause unsafe runoff into our waters.

But today, some entrepreneurs are now taking to the doggie parks for dog waste collection.  Many are realizing there is money to be made in turning dog waste into a safe manure.  And the greatest benefit of all?  This has everything to do with protecting our earth and minimizing waste in landfills.

The company Naturemill has a pet-friendly composter you can buy for $399.  It is an electronic outdoor composter that turns both animal waste and kitchen scraps into compost in about two weeks.

If you live in Colorado, Envirowagg produces Doggone Good Compost that can be purchased at many local stores.  You can also purchase biodegradable pet waste bags at Buy Green Savvy.  So if a safe composter is not in your budget, try the biodegradable dog waste bags.  Now both you and your pet can go green!

Falcons, eagles, owls, condors, hawks, ospreys and vultures are all raptors, which are birds of prey.  Raptors migrate from September through April.  Some raptors can carry one half to two-thirds of their body weight.

Hawks average about two pounds in size and great horned owls weigh between two to five pounds. Great horned owls and red-tailed hawks are not known to attack small pets.    However if they are hungry enough or are inexperienced in hunting they might attempt an attack.

A dog or cat may be able to bite or scratch their way out of a bird attack.  This might even dissuade a bird from attacking a second time.  But if you live in an area where birds of prey circle, it would be wise to watch your small pet when it is outside.

An eagle weighs between eight to ten pounds and can carry four to five pounds of weight.  It was reported that a cat collar with bell intact was once found in an eagle’s nest.  A hungry eagle can easily pick up a small dog or cat that weighs less than five pounds.  The AKC weight standard for a Chihuahua is 4 to 6 pounds, making this small dog a hungry eagle target.

But how do you keep your pet safe outdoors when raptors are nearby?  Walking your dog on a leash while holding an umbrella may ward off a predator.  You can also place mirrors or mirrored gazing balls in your back yard.  Hawks are territorial birds and could see their reflection as another bird hunting, thereby sending them to another hunting ground.  You can also enclose a small walking area with wood and chicken wire or cover your dog’s area with bird netting.

Cats generally roam a back yard, making them harder to contain and keep safe.  It is always best to keep your cat indoors, particularly if you have raptors nearby.  But it is fairly uncommon for a raptor to hunt for cats, many of which would be too large to carry while flying.

Could a bird of prey carry of a small dog or cat?  Yes, this is always a possibility, but probably only those weighing under five pounds.  Raptors are not generally looking for dogs and cats as a meal.  But when in doubt, always stay with your pet outdoors, or keep your dog and cat in a protected area.

Coren tested dogs with a modified version of a test used to measure language abilities in children.  Not surprisingly, he found the most intelligent breed to be the Border Collie, who can understand up to 250 words and hand signals.  Lowest on the intelligence list?  Older breeds such as the Afghan Hound, Basenji, Bull Dog, Chow Chow and Borzoi. 

Dog intelligence has increased as breeding has become more selective.  As an example, Coren states that if you point, a dog will usually look to where you are pointing.  A wolf that has been raised by humans will simply look at your pointing hand. 

Stanley Coren also reports that dogs dream about “day to day dog activities” just as people dream about daily life.  Smaller dogs are said to dream more than larger dogs. 

The Top Ten Smartest Dogs are as follows: 

• Border Collie
• Poodle
• German Shepherd
• Golden Retriever
• Doberman Pincher
• Shetland Sheepdog
• Labrador Retriever
• Papillon
• Rottwieler
• Australian Cattle Dog

This weekend we were in the Outer Banks enjoying the surf, sand and a light wind.  It is common to see dogs of every sort strolling up the beach.  But this time a particular dog caught my eye.  She was a pretty boxer – not all that uncommon.  But what made her stand out was the TOTALLY COOL sunglasses she was wearing.  Sunglasses!?

My  daughter stopped the owner to ask if she could pet his dog.  He said, “Of course, and thank you for asking.”  As I was coming towards them I laughed out loud.  The dog’s sunglasses were called Doggles.  Too funny.

But the story was far from it.  This beautiful dog was a rescue puppy.  The owner explained that she doesn’t blink enough and that the beach wind would damage her eyes.  She wasn’t sporting these fine Doggles for show, but for necessary eye protection.  Once the owner left us he was quickly stopped by another family, and another.  Doggle dog was pet more than any other pooch on the beach!

Doggles are shatterproof with anti-fog lenses.  They have foam pads for comfort, have a UV coating and are designed to fit a dog’s face.  Many dogs have sensitive eyes, such as Pugs and Boston Terriers. Doggles are the perfect solution for dogs who are susceptible to eye injuries.  If your dog hangs his or her head out of the car window or boat, you should consider a pair for eye safety.

And if this weren’t reason enough, your dog will be the coolest cat on the block.  Make that dog.

Amazingly, dogs have been known to detect everything from cancer to low blood sugar.  They can sense odors down to parts per trillion.  Things we could not even begin to smell are strong scents to dogs.  So it does not surprise many to know that dogs will often lick or fuss near particular parts of an owner’s body, only to find there is cancer in that body part. 

Today, dogs are being trained in Britain to detect low blood sugar in diabetics.  There are some people with diabetes who have reported their dogs will lick their faces or whine when their blood sugar gets dangerously low.  Apparently many dogs can detect when a person is about to have an hypoglycemic episode.  Currently there are 17 dogs in training who will be placed with diabetics – particularly with children who are insulin dependent. 

If you or a family member has diabetes and you own a dog, pay close attention to times when your blood sugar is falling.  Is your dog near you, upset, panting or licking you?  If so, praise your dog once you are stable.  After all, you just never know when your dog may be the one to save your life!

When a tick attaches to a dog and begins to drink the blood, Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria begin to multiply inside the gut of the tick.  From there the bacteria move to the salivary glands of the tick, finally being released into the dog through the wound. 

Lyme disease symptoms in a dog include fever, lameness, swollen lymph nodes and a lack of appetite.  Untreated Lyme disease can cause permanent heart, kidney, joint and nervous system damage.  Untreated Lyme disease can be fatal.  Unfortunately, Lyme disease is on the rise in both humans and pets alike. 

The canine Lyme disease vaccine Nobivac kills spirochetes in the tick’s gut, in the salivary glands and in the spirochetes that enter the dog as well.  This is more protection than has been available in the past, which is an exciting advancement in the prevention of Lyme disease in dogs. 

Nobivac is administered subcutaneously once and then another vaccination is given two to four weeks from the first.  Following that, dogs are given a booster yearly.  If you live in an area known for ticks or Lyme disease, talk to your veterinarian about this new Lyme disease vaccination.