selena

There are a couple dogs on Scooby's list I'm interested in, but I need more information on size and whether they'd be appropriate running partners, OK with cats, and good with kids. I've sent in an email asking these questions.

Ah that's too bad. I guess I'll be putting in an application with SHUG after all. Can you keep an eye open for any small and exceptionally sweet black or dark brindles for me?

I've got my eye on some of those shug hounds, but I guess I'm still hoping to get a hound closer to home. Robinw are you still bringing in galgos for after the track?

I'm reviving this thread after being away in the UK for a while (where we saw dozens of sighthounds of all kinds) to pose a question about galgos and children. I was reading another thread about potential issues with greyhounds and kids (space and food aggression); do galgos have these same issues? I've got a 7 and 9 year old who are very good with animals. They've had cats all their lives, a variety of smaller animals, and we sometimes doggysit for relatives and friends. They spent 2 weeks with two very large rambunctious dogs and did really well. They have a healthy respect/fear of big dogs and are really good at following the rules that we set out (don't approach dogs when they're eating, don't touch them in their beds, give them their space, etc). They're not super noisy kids, but they do run around the house occasionally. Would a galgo generally be okay in this kind of household? Also wanted to respond to this: just to say this is the sweetest and funniest thing I've read in a while. Thanks for sharing that story.

I'm glad to hear that I'm not too far off with my expectations for a galgo vs a greyhound. I am a bit concerned, though, despite the reason for wanting a galgo being somewhat to be forced into a more active lifestyle, to have a partner to run with (since my husband and kids aren't interested in running with me and I feel like if someone was super excited to go for a run that would make me excited too--I like running once i'm doing it, but getting out and doing it I need a higher level of motivation it seems), that the level of activity I can sustain won't be enough for a galgo? I would never get a husky or any other super high energy breed because of this... I'd feel bad that the dog wouldn't get enough activity. On the other hand I worry that if I got a greyhound I'd have a dog who might refuse to go places or stop mid-activity just when I'm getting into it. That is really hilarious about Capri. So silly! Petra, I've looked at April quite a few times and if I was in a position to adopt right now she would be one of my top choices! I even want a black or dark brindle, so she sounds perfect. As I mentioned before, the problem is our 15 year old cat. Actually, to be more specific the problem is that my aunt, who lives with us and whose cat it technically is, thinks that getting a dog would be too much for the cat. Her opinion comes from the experience of trying to introduce another cat to the home a year ago or so. 15 year old cat is EXTREMELY territorial and was VERY upset (resulting in a lot of screaming, spitting and fur flying when the cats had access to each other), which made my aunt very upset. She thinks that the cat will have the same reaction to a dog... but I don't think this is the case. I have been unable to convince her otherwise unfortunately. Funny robin! He does have a rather adorable face... but perhaps a little mischievious.

Hi Robin! We're going on holiday shortly so don't have much time to spare, but when we get back I wouldn't mind meeting you in Kitchener. We have a family member there we'd like to visit more often anyway.

Thanks everyone for all this information. The stuff about the flights and what they do and do not allow really makes me appreciate how complicated it is to get a dog to North America and how much work the rescue groups are doing to make this happen! As for the differences between galgos and greyhounds, I've read a bit about how galgos are more endurance runners than sprinters (and therefore might need more exercise?). This is one of the reasons I'm leaning galgo because I really want a good running partner and I tend to run (when I'm really into the sport, which is not now) slow, but long. I've read that greyhounds might have a problem with this. In my family we also enjoy day-long hikes and bike trips and want a dog that can keep up. On the other hand, however, we're not ALWAYS doing these things (I don't want to give the impression that we're a super athletic family, because we're not) and so we want a dog that is flexible between exercise time and downtime. Admittedly a lot of the reason for wanting a galgo is size. Greyhounds are just too big for our lifestyle. We don't have a car (and don't really want to get one) and often borrow cars from other people and have to be flexible about the size of vehicle we're borrowing. I'd be looking for the smallest (probably female) galgo within the personality we're looking for. I'll go check out those posts by galgomum now.

Hi Robinw! I'm in Hamilton, so fairly close by. I would love to meet your galgos sometime. I've done a lot of reading about greys and galgos and the differences between them but I have never met a sighthound in person and that seems like something I should do before adopting one! I really wanted to come to the GRA picnic but wasn't able to unfortunately. Thanks for your suggestion re: adopting through a group. I will definitely take that into consideration. If you go through a group does the group always choose your hound for you? I've got some fairly specific ideas of what dog I want based on what I think will fit best with our family and I'd love to be able to choose with some help from the experts but not have the experts choose for me completely.

Hi everyone. My name is Selena and I don't yet have a hound of any kind, but I am very interested in adopting a galgo. I have been in love with sighthounds (starting with retired racing greys) for years and finally am *almost* in a position to adopt (ie. I've finally convinced my family, but we have an elderly cat that doesn't deserve the stress at this stage in her life). I was wondering if anyone could tell me about the process of adopting a galgo from any of the organizations that you're familiar with (I've looked extensively through the available dogs at Scooby and FBM for example)... is there anyone bringing galgos in to Ontario? how much does it cost, how long does it take, is there someone at the other end who can give more information about the dogs on the site, what if the dog turns out to be inappropriate in some way? I have lots of questions. No need to hurry with any of this info, as I'm not in a rush at this point, but thought I should start a conversation with someone who knows how this works. This will be my first dog and I'm super excited.