Brandiandwe

I'm afraid I'm still confused..... Are you worried about people mislabeling their dogs as silver when they aren't, undermining your attempts to breed true silver (or whatever. The science has gone sailing straight over my head. )? Or are you worried about not being able to breed silver pugs? Or being disappointed because of the actions of others? Or something else?

Speaking as a non-breeder, I'd suggest not breeding in that case. Alternatively, surely satisfaction in breeding comes from your personal integrity in breeding the best, healthiest pugs you can and ensuring that they are registered to your satisfaction? If you rely on the actions and integrity of others in this game, as in others, you will be disappointed because if it isn't about colours it will be leg length, eye shape or something else.

Rainy? It appears that you've forgotten to pack the kitchen sink! Interesting about the Peujeot suggestion. We've currently got a Forrester, but I like the look of them! Do they come in leather seats I wonder?

All in our bedroom. They have their own beds. However, Paige prefers her bed beside me within reach. She will occasionally steal Brandis which is bigger leaving Boo squashed into the smaller bed. She will only sleep on our bed if she's sick, I'm sick or she's scared although some mornings and evenings I get a snuggle. Brandi would like to sleep on the bed with us and sometimes snuggles in with us. She has learned how to sneak onto the bed after some false starts early on. She used to leap on from DHs side but would frequently land on his groin. He would wake up with a crippling pain and Brandi would whip round behind him and snuggle into his pillow, causing more swearing. We've now trained her to hop up from the bottom of the bed. Hermon had sleep startle when he arrived and some space aggression so he isn't encouraged onto the bed. That said he does sneak on. Sadly, at 38kg he doesn't really sneak anywhere but shakes the bed as he climbs on then wiggles up the bed between us. While Brandi can commando crawl up between us so we don't notice, Hermon flops back and forth like a landed fish, with legs and head going everywhere. Wouldn't have it any other way.

There's a poster on a different, greyhound, forum who owns a pack which includes either a Dogo or a Corso (and she has fostered another). The pack also includes two or three greyhounds and a small French Bulldog and another bulldog of some sort. Loads of pics of them all racing through various swamps - a really happy and balanced pack.

Ditto above. Not a breeder but as someone who is seriously considering a puppy, I wouldn't want to buy from someone who bred only for colour or who placed colour above the other considerations (health, temperament etc). Furthermore, I wouldn't buy from a breeder who sold me the pup I wanted (because of the colour or whatever) in place of another pup who would be a more appropriate match for my existing pack and needs.

Last week, DH to me: 'It won't fit in the car.' He was talking about my new crate which is a soft one and big enough to fit Hermon in. We figure we can either take the crate OR the dogs. Which defeats the purpose a bit.

Yup. Although Paige as a nicely developed prey drive, this has been exacerbated by the tendency of others to allow small fluffies and others off leash and rushing my dogs. I avoid them all. Fortunately (?) after a few encounters when other dogs who rushed up to us barking their fool heads off with dominant/ aggressive posturing only to be rolled or driven off by my hounds, the word has gone out and everyone avoids us now. And the person with the dashunds has finally locked them up rather than allowing them to chase others onto the road.

Greyhounds There are others here more experienced and knowledgeable than I, so hopefully someone will chime in. However..... I'm also writing about race-bred greyhounds. I suspect there are differences between these and show bred, and I've got my three as adolescents and an adult, so differences may also arise between dogs raised and socialised in a racing environment vs a pet home. I've found that greys are generally fairly chilled out and relaxed dogs but none do well with rude, boisterous or aggressive dogs. All three of mine have happily put in their places various dogs who have rushed us or been rude or aggressive but have also all been remarkable tolerant of puppies, especially of bigger breeds. Problems arise when other dogs either don't submit (thank you my dominant bitch Paige) or who don't actually speak dog or been socialised well (thank you most people living near here). Greys are, by and large, well socialised with other dogs, and get along well together. Mine do better with other sighthounds who seem to look like 'proper dogs' to them rather than strange and alien beings (most others). Strangely, this has included Iggies which don't seem to trigger Paige's prey drive, though I wouldn't trust her off leash with one. Greys are, I think, different beings on and off leash. On leash interactions might be fine, but off leash, small animals running fast tend to be fair game. I do not allow my hounds off leash with non greys. Apart from prey drive issues (which are real and frightening), the simple physics of my medium grey weighing 31kg and running flat out at 50-60 km hitting a smaller dog means something will go squish. It's unlikely to be my grey. All three of my greys adore people. My girls are more aloof than Hermon, Paige especially can take or leave people some days, but all compete for attention on walks. Hermon especially loves children which makes me think that he was owned or trained by someone with kids in the past. A baby we see regularly he runs to see and sits or lies as closely as possible to her and her mother. All are gentle and generally well mannered. Brandi is a bouncer but meets people well - she is a therapy dog and visits retirement homes etc without a problem. She is, however, protective of me if I run into trouble and has blocked people from approaching me on two occasions. Some myths to dispell. Greys don't shed. True, except when they do. My house is suspiciously dog hairy for a place housing three low shedding dogs. Greys don't bark. Mine didn't get that memo. Mine bark, roo, chatter their teeth. Paige also nits on me which looks aggressive, especially when she mouths me as well. Greys need lots of exercise/ greys need no exercise/ 20 minutes a day. This annoys me. Greys don't need the amount of exercise of their breeds but there's nothing more pathetic than a fat greyhound. The girls when we got them needed a couple of hours a day but by the time they hit 3 they're down to an hour to 90 minutes a day with some sprinting at the dog park a few times a week. Hermon is thriving on this as well. Mine all know they're lap dogs and two love to sleep with DH and I. Hermon started off with some sleep startl which has made us wary but he joins us in bed every morning. Brandi snuggles in whenever he can. Paige likes her own space unless she or I am sick, when she lies politely but close to me. She otherwise sleeps on the floor beside me within touching distance and greets me each morning very happily. They are Velcro dogs and follow me everywhere, including the bathroom unless I enter the Chamber of Torture (aka the bath or shower).

I use dog parks but only when I can run my guys alone. We don't do other breeds or dogs. This is partly because my two girls are breed snobs, high prey and reactive, so rude, barking or small dogs aren't ideal. My three are muzzled by law, and should a fight break out, they'd be toast. They have a specific playing style which involves very high speed tip and run followed by bumping, snarling and tripping at speed, which most other dogs don't do. And because, basically, a lot of people are idiots. The number of times a small dog owner has told me its ok because their small dog thinks its a big one is incredible. Big dog owners want to play with the greys, but change their tune when their 'pretty fast dog' is overtaken by the greys. Sigh. We do best alone or with older confident big dogs who wander around checking pee mail. These dogs are few and far between.

I guess my view here is mixed but what has frustrated me about the coverage recently is that there was very little given to the possibilities and programmes running to rehome greys, both within and outside the industry. Overbreeding is a huge concern, but so is the fact that very few people seem to consider greyhounds as pets because of a lot of misinformation and lack of understanding of what the dogs require as pets.

I've stopped. I just got more and more upset and depressed. Having said that, I'm down to foster for sighthound rescues. I keep reminding myself that I have three wonderful greys who have a home for life. And I can't save them all, much as I'd like to.

Lucky YOU!!!!!!!!

Today is the date that two years ago Brandi came home to us. She started me on my greyhound and sighthound journey, has taught me to live and accept. When I was at my most depressed, she slept with me, holding me as close as possible. I would choose her over DH should I ever need to. Since arriving as a timid, submissive, frantic for attention and affection hound, she has become a confident, affectionate, playful hound who has me as her worlds centre. She is a qualified therapy dog, and makes me laugh out loud every day. As I right this, she is throwing a teddy bear around, waiting for more smooches.

Just because Photobucket is open, my little Paige:

Love that roaching! Brandi roaches on her first night home, Paige isdoib it more and more and Hermon will get there - balance I difficult!

Black boys are certainly more common though! :)

You might be in luck there. As noted above, many people shy away from black dogs (no idea why, I'll always have at least one), and big boys also intimidate people. So a big, black boy is a much better bet than a blue or blue brindle girl. :-) Edited to add, on the GAP Victoria website now are big black boys: Matt, Paddy and Adam (who are seniors, would be divine but not with you for as long, so maybe get one of those And a younger one?) Banjo (who already has a home) Bob Todd Steve Jerry Fireman Taz Diesel Cape William Chow Johnny All of the above a black boys and were on the first two pages of available dogs.

Paige is black. She is also not small dog safe - fixed the assessors! Perfect for me but not for everyone!

The truly weird thing is that I know her trainer, who has stayed in touch and loves getting updates. I think PK was just a very quiet dog in the kennels who was no trouble. She also loves routine, and is easy to handle in every way. But with us, her real personality came out. She is now the dog who will race through the house with a pair of dirty undies on her head when we've got company. :laugh:

Paige was the same. For three weeks she was like a zombie except when she saw another dog. Then, from a distance of about 250 metres she would fixate, froth at the mouth and give out that blood chilling whine. Then we'd get her home and, nothing. I spent time after every walk sitting in the garage with her, stroking her and telling her she was beautiful. But nothing. Then, the night I was ready to give up, I just sat there, looking at her and thought 'I can't do this.'. She looked back at me, came over and climbed up onto the couch beside me like she had the weight of the world on her shoulders - she looked like an old dog. She curled up beside me, rested her head on me, and I felt her sigh and relax. And realised that for three weeks she had only just been keeping it together, but that she'd finally decided to trust me. It took her 4 more months before she'd do that with DH, and 12 months before she'd approach him for cuddles when he was standing up, 18 months before she'd come when he called. She is my heart dog in a way that the others can never be. And I am her whole world.

Something I would say is that you should make a list of things which are non-negotiable vs desirable and be clear about which is which. I speak to people about greyhound adoption regularly, and they often say that they need or will be getting a small girl, blue or fawn (or whatever). When I ask why, they say because it will be easier. I point to my smallest girl and tell them she's the most difficult dog I own. So, non-negotiables, for me, are personality and the needs of you and your already existing pets (if you have any). So things like: cat-friendly small animal friendly (if you have fluffy pets) small dog friendly child friendly non-resource guarding sleep startle? general temperament Some of these might be necessary for you. Others aren't - for me, none were necessary until number three, at which point I specified low-prey drive. I already owned one high prey and one enthusiastic follower. I didn't need a third! The rest I can work with, including resource guarding and sleep startle. Other things you might want to think about: high-energy vs low-energy special needs - pre-existing injuries or medical conditions such as pannus, arthritis, broken hock, having given birth, amputation etc (these dogs can be fantastic, but may need more medical care first off, though there are no guarantees that you won't get an accident prone dog anyhow) age sex - this shouldn't be a non-negotiable unless, for instance, you have a bitch who only gets along with dogs or whatever - we specified our third as male because we already had two girls and didn't want to risk upsetting that balance The negotiables and things you need to remain open about are: sex age size colour raced vs unraced It is amazing how many people seem to reverse the importance of these lists. Temperament is number one. But what a perfect temperament is in one person is not right for another. Think carefully about what you want there! But don't go in wanting a small female who never raced, of about 2 years old, who is fawn or blue with a white chest and three white paws, weighing no more than 27 kgs, with a delicate face, ears that both stand erect. Because your perfect dog might be the 39kg black male with a roman nose who is a dreamboat to walk, who snuggles well and who raced 100 times so prefers a life of leisure. Don't be fooled by first impressions - the greys tend to blossom slowly. The one that took longest to come out of her shell has been my most rewarding dog.

Well, if you're already one if us...... Welcome!

I would strongly advise against it. I know how it starts. Just one grey, easy, loveable, gorgeous. Next thing you know you've got multiple hounds with associated impressive collar collection, coats for every climate variation. You can no longer get on the couch without a 30kg lap dog appearing, bend over without being goosed or go to the toilet without polite offers of assistance or supervision. Your bed is no longer your own. And the worst thing of all? You accept all of the above as normal and even desirable. No. Run away now. It's too late for the rest of us,but you can save yourself.

I've had that chat a few times as well. Most recently it was our old neighbours who told me they were thinking about paying $1700 for a pet shop oodle thing. I couldn't control myself and blurted out 'How much???? For that??????' They then asked what we paid for ours. $500 for two pedigree greyhounds, chipped, vaccinated and desexed, with ongoing backup. They elected not to get the puppy, but only because a puppy and. Newborn were likely to be too much work together.