31/10/2023
Socialization:
Everyone knows that greyhounds have skyrocketed as popular pets over the past few decades with the cooperation of the racing and adoption community. But why is that? Is it because greyhounds have spent their entire lives devoid of interactions with humans and other dogs? Or is it because they have been allowed to live around their mom and siblings for much longer than the average litter and living with their greyhound kennel mates while professionally racing - and also loved, cared for, and handled by breeders, trainers, kennel staff, track leadouts, and other people all along the way?
Hills Science Diet, one of the most established, respected and scientifically reliable dog food sources used and recommended by veterinarians, has this to say about this most magnificent breed: "The greyhound has a very gentle and quiet disposition. As it was necessary for the greyhound to hunt and run in groups, aggressiveness toward other dogs has almost been completely eliminated from the breed"
How can this stellar and quite accurate statement possibly be true if greyhounds have lived lonely, isolated, and tragic lives? As every knowledgeable dog owner in existence will testify, every dog of every breed, including of the mixed variety, will have a distinct personality, with a few coming in at polar ends of the spectrum, there are well researched reasons that certain breeds are generally known to have basic personality traits that define what each breed may predictably be seen as having across the board and is recognized by everyone from veterinarians, animal behaviorists, and other animal/breed specific specialty organizations. Does that also include the greyhound breed? The logical and factual answer to that is YES.
Widely known and respected greyhound historian, author, and former trainer, Dennis McKeon, takes an in-depth and verifiable look into the lives of greyhounds from their earliest breath in order to explain and educate the public about the greyhounds and their amazing popularity as they enter the family pet sector. He says: "One of the many remarkable things with which adopters and other greyhound enthusiasts are always impressed, is the greyhound’s capacity for getting along with other dogs, even with those to whom they are complete strangers. This is because correct pack behaviors and socialization skills are learned and reinforced at every stage of the greyhound’s life—from the farm, to the advanced training facility, to the kennel at the racetrack. As a result of their colonial, pack-centric upbringing and racing environments, there is probably no breed of canine which has better or more highly evolved, canine coping and social skills, or who is more habituated to a punctual, predictable routine... "
With so many accurate and reliable sources available regarding this beautifully athletic, yet amazing pet suitable breed, why would anyone turn to animal activist organizations which constantly and consistently put forth propaganda-for-donations that want you to believe the exact opposite of respected experts?
Sources:
https://www.hillspet.com/dog-care/dog-breeds/greyhound?lightboxfired=true #
https://www.greyhoundinfo.org/?page_id=1072
