Southern Nevada group seeks homes for retired racing greyhounds

Greyhounds are bred to race. In the Southwest, they are born in breeding farms and then sent to racetracks in Arizona, Colorado or Mexico.

After the dogs are between 2 and 5 years old, they retire and have about 10 years left to live. The national nonprofit organization Greyhound Pets of America works to get the dogs adopted into homes where they can spend the majority of their lives.

"They have to legally retire dogs at 5 (years old), and there's still an oversupply. (The dogs) are euthanized every so often," said Jan Valentino, president of the Greyhound Pets of America/Southern Nevada. "With good medical care and good, healthy, happy homes, they can live a long time."

Valentino said that before the early 1990s, race dog owners and trainers were not sure how the greyhounds would adapt to home life, but she believes that the dogs' rigid lifestyle makes them perfect pets.

"They have been handled by people their whole lives," Valentino said. "They are quite well socialized and really like people. They are quick to bond."

Valentino said that although it's great to get a pet that already has been trained, there are a few major differences in having a greyhound. She said the dogs can not be off their leash when owners take them jogging or hiking and that they need to be inside pets.

"They have fragile skin and they do not have much fur," she said. "They are cold if a human is cold. They were raised indoors in kennels. They're athletic, but delicate."

Valentino said greyhounds also have not been socialized to be aware of cars. She said if they are off their leash, they might run after a car and can get to their top speed of 40 to 45 miles per hour in three strides.

"We call them 45-mile-per-hour coach potatoes," Valentino joked. "The perception is because they are fast they must need a lot of exercise, but they're the opposite. They require a lot of rest."

She said that for the most part, the dogs are very calm and have a low energy level.

"They are bred for speed, health and temperament," said Lee Minardi, vice president of the Greyhound Pets of America/Southern Nevada. "They are breeding the aggression gene out of the dogs. They are gentle, docile and in good health with good cardio systems and bone structure. They live longer lives than other large-breed dogs."

Minardi said greyhounds also are very quiet. "They don't bark a lot," she said. "People always notice when we have a group together."

Valentino, who has two greyhounds, said Greyhound Pets of America is working to get information about the dogs out to the community. Its largest fundraiser of the year was held Oct. 21 at Floyd Lamb State Park, 9200 Tule Springs Road. All the proceeds from the 12th annual Las Vegas Greyhound Picnic in the Park fundraiser went to benefit the greyhounds helped by GPA/ Southern Nevada. The title sponsor was Canidae Pet Foods, and the annual picnic had vendors including Dana Provost of Wild Things For Greys handcrafted greyhound apparel; Sue Ross of Silk Road Collars, which features fancy collars, leashes, greyhound-themed jewelry and accessories; Kathy Hoynes of Greyhound Studies, a nationally recognized greyhound artist; and John Morris, a dental hygienist for dogs.

This year's picnic also featured the first Senior Greyhound Recognition Ceremony for greyhounds age 10 and older. All senior dogs were recognized and given a gift handcrafted and presented by Provost.

The local chapter always is looking for families to foster the greyhounds because it does not have a kennel in the valley. Valentino said they also are looking for families to adopt the dogs.

The chapter does ask that families wait until their children are at least 6 years old before they adopt a greyhound.

"The dogs are not raised with people; they are raised with litters," Minardi said. "We're always afraid of a child getting knocked down. A child can't get out of the way real quick."

Minardi said greyhounds also have not been exposed to touch while they are sleeping, and sometimes small children can forget that.

"They are great pets," she said. "They seem grateful for the chance to have a family. They are not taken from their litter mates for about a year, so they've always been with other dogs. Sometimes, they don't like to be alone."

The adoption fee is $275, which includes medical work, and the dogs are spayed or neutered. Valentino said the dogs often are retired because of injury and that the group will have all surgical repairs done before the dog is adopted. The dogs also have their teeth cleaned and come with a collar and a leash. Almost $400 is spent getting each dog ready for adoption.

For more information, visit www.lasvegasgreyhounds.org, e-mail adopt@lasvegasgreyhounds.org, or send a fax to 898-9953.