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Post by micki on Sept 20, 2009 13:23:07 GMT
I wouldn't be sorry if everyone involved with dog fighting were lined up and shot. They are not the kind of people I'd tolerated in society. I agree dogs love to run and chase rabbits. Did anyone see that programme where an Afgan club hired a race-track for their dogs. They are not up to greyhound speeds but they looked stunning chasing the 'hare'. My only concern is the number of greyhounds up for adoption. Every dog should be born to be loved - not just to make money from. I don't know how anyone could own a dog knowing they were going to discard it after a couple of years. the thing is Barbara they aren't born as pets and often dont live with the owners so theres little attachment, also their racing careers can be very short.. a dog can be retired at 2yrs old and when u think a Greyhound is a very long lived dog, 16yrs bein quite common its not surprising there are so many up for rehoming. another option is to educate the public on these dogs.. many people believe they have a nasty streak and are killers.. yes some are with small animals, our swifty has had a couple of cats in our garden but the other side is u are unlikely to find a breed which is as gentle and loving, they are very sensitive dogs to your mood, dont shed lots of hair, dont need lots of exercise, are generally quiet and are very lazy.Oh and wonderful on the lead.. many can be let off, many are good with cats. i own different breeds and have done all my life but overall id be hard pressed to find a overall better dog as a family pet.
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Post by barbara on Sept 20, 2009 16:43:18 GMT
I've got nothing against Greyhounds. As you say they are lovely friendly dogs. My best friend before I was married adopted one and he was about the softest dog I know. I just can't understand people not getting attached to their animals - especially dogs.
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Post by micki on Sept 20, 2009 19:13:16 GMT
its coz some owners dont have much to do with the dog. they will see them race etc and collect any money it makes.. often the dog will live with other dogs own by other people at the trainers. the owner is just the person or group which legally own the dog, paying fees etc.. we as a group on here could buy one by each of us puttin a bit of money in but many of us wouldnt even meet the dog in person.
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Post by Karen on Sept 20, 2009 21:14:53 GMT
Yes, I agree with you too Becky. My nan's greyhound, is an ex- racer and she raced at one of the big racing places in this region - because she didn't win the owner no longer wanted her.
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Post by lynx on Sept 21, 2009 17:49:43 GMT
Horse racing suffers the same thing, an overload of retired animals with a racing career over for all sorts of reasons, yet still young in years. The difference is that horses have a use after disposal.....meat. You have to wonder if a trip to the abattoir is preferable to the end of some racing dogs. You are correct Micki it will never be stopped because of the money involved in it, also the government make a whack out of with the betting taxes. It would not be in the interest of the rich and powerful to stop it. I have absolutely nothing against racing either with dogs or horses, it is natural for animals to race, they love it. However I do have enormous issues with the heartless treatment of some animals after they are profitable or useful. I realise they are not pets, but they are lives/characters/personalities with feelings and they deserve better.
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Post by micki on Sept 21, 2009 18:57:07 GMT
good post Lyn.
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Post by becky on Sept 21, 2009 19:38:20 GMT
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Post by lynx on Sept 21, 2009 20:01:14 GMT
As an afterthought, does anyone know if a percentage of the stadium earnings and the winnings go to the Retired Greyhound Trust and Greyhound Compassion or any other Greyhound charities. If not that might be a way forward.
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Post by petpet on Sept 22, 2009 20:00:13 GMT
after reading all the posts, i realized that not all dog races are bad. i should have been more open minded about it.
i just had a bad impression on dog races because i usually see in the news that the dogs (usually greyhounds) are not being treated well. i remember from the news that the dogs are given limited food so that they can run faster because they are thin and are lighter. i remember seeing pictures and video clips of dogs who are very thin. i just feel bad about it.
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Post by micki on Sept 22, 2009 21:31:08 GMT
let me put your mind at rest. A racing greyhound isnt starved. they are naturally slim dogs. if they half starved them to keep them light they would lose muscle and become slower. they are fed an optimum diet mxed with training to keep the dog healthy and fit. a starved dog would never win a race. even the heaviest Greyhound wins if its diet and training are right. good debate though. theres many things that make Greyhounds very different from any other breed of dog. They have on the average about 14-15% body fat compared to other dogs which is about 35% and upwards. they have an unusually large and strong Heart, blood which contains more oxygen carrying red blood cells and the highest percentage of fast twitching muscle fibres than any breed... this coupled with very small feet, long legs and a flexable spine allow these dogs to reach speeds of up to 45mph..
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Post by blueeyedbull on Sept 23, 2009 4:20:48 GMT
I am adamantly against dog fights. The poor dogs suffer because of their F.... owners. I am also against dog and horse races. Maybe Europeans treat their animals differently, but Greyhounds and horses have been treated terribly after they have not become money makers for their owners here in the USA. I have heard of horses being electrocuted in order to collect insurance money or sold for meat. Greyhounds have been mistreated and we have Greyhound rescue because, once again, they don't make money for the owners. I am really starting to question who is the more intelligent of the species.
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Post by petpet on Sept 23, 2009 10:44:12 GMT
let me put your mind at rest. A racing greyhound isnt starved. they are naturally slim dogs. if they half starved them to keep them light they would lose muscle and become slower. they are fed an optimum diet mxed with training to keep the dog healthy and fit. a starved dog would never win a race. even the heaviest Greyhound wins if its diet and training are right. good debate though. theres many things that make Greyhounds very different from any other breed of dog. They have on the average about 14-15% body fat compared to other dogs which is about 35% and upwards. they have an unusually large and strong Heart, blood which contains more oxygen carrying red blood cells and the highest percentage of fast twitching muscle fibres than any breed... this coupled with very small feet, long legs and a flexable spine allow these dogs to reach speeds of up to 45mph..thank you very much for explaining this to me
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Post by shandy on Nov 7, 2009 20:38:43 GMT
put dog owners in a fight and see whether they enjoy it!!!!!! hate it animal cruelty yukk
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