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Greyhound vs Galgos??


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Hi everyone! I'm very new to this forum but I wanted to post. So I am still a year or so out from being ready but I want to get as much information as possible. 

I am 90% set that my first dog will be a black Galgo (love black dogs, cats, anything in that color).

Anyway, I thought I would ask what has been your experience bringing a Galgo home vs a Grey? I can't find much information on Galgos in homes specifically.

More than likely I will be living in an apartment in a major city, it would have an elevator. But I was thinking of training stairs for the dog in the emergency staircase/regular staircase if that makes sense?

I've been watching videos about Greys but I don't know that's what I should expect? Given the different lifestyle and experiences both breeds have?

Even if both breeds have similar tempermants. 

Another thing is skin/fur. How are galgos skin compared to greys? Are they as thin skinned? From what I read it doesn't appear to be but I was curious.

For their fur I'm particularly curious on those who have the mlre wire coated ones. What's that like?

I know coat and things are cosmetic and not very important in the grand scheme of things but I thought I'd ask.

Thanks everyone! I'll add any questions as they come to me! 

Hope everyone is safe and healthy in this trying time. 

Any Galgo specific reading let me know! I prefer if they were ebook or articles I can find online.

But open to physical stuff. I'm also single and in my mid twenties if that helps anyone.

Edited by Dragongirl25
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I got your PM, but I might as well reply here. :)  We've had 4 retired racing greyhounds and 3 gaglos over the years, currently living with 2 galgos.

In general, both breeds share similar temperaments, but I've found that our galgos are much smarter, which isn't always a good thing. They'll keep you on your toes for sure! Greyhounds need to be taught how to do stairs. Galgos usually know how from day 1. One of our galgos can open doors and drawers. They're very resourceful, especially when it comes to food. If you're able to block off your kitchen area, I would do so, with a very tall baby gate (ours are 4' tall). Greyhounds think two dimensionally. Galgos think three dimensionally. While a basic barrier might work for a greyhound, the galgo will think about all the ways they can get around it.

We've only had smooth haired galgos. Their skin isn't as delicate as the retired racers we've had. I'd say they're a bit more heartier. Galgos generally have better teeth and are less prone to have sensitive stomachs. Osteosarcoma is less common in galgos, but they can still get it. We lost our first galgo to osteosarcoma. 

I love both breeds, but galgos are definitely much more like regular dogs. I'm not aware of any good books, but you can follow the galgo adoption groups in Spain (Galgos del Sol and 112 Carlotta Galgos) and in America (Save a Galgo Espanol (SAGE), The Sighthound Underground (SHUG) and Love, Hope, Believe Galgos) on Facebook and check out their websites.

Edited by winnie

Laura with Celeste (ICU Celeste) and Galgos Beatrix and Encarna
The Horse - Gracie (MD Grace E)
Bridge Angels Faye Oops (Santa Fe Oops), Bonny (
Bonny Drive), Darcy (D's Zipperfoot)

 

 

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Hello, I currently have one grey (4 years in) and one galgo (3 years in).

If you like to play and teach your dog stuffs, a galgo is for you. If you want a house plant, a grey is for you. I love them both, they just have different energy! My grey could spend days inside, just going out for his business. My galgo, I can go bike with him for miles.

In my fairly limited experience, both are very thin skinned, both need coats and boots during the winter (in Canada at least :lol). My galgo can tolerate very high temperature, whilst my grey will be sleeping under the fan when the weather hits around 20 °C. Both tolerate the winter if well dressed.

My galgo is super funny with a quirky personality. He did not needed stairs training, but needed a lots of other training (no jumping on people, no garbage emptying, no stomping on your brother) while my grey...well....Let's just say I never told him no :lol. He did require a bit of stairs training.

As for recall, both are a big zero. They know their name, they just ignore it!

I am currently in a condo and both do fine. They are great apartment dogs. Be aware that both might have separation anxiety which they may express by howling if you are not there. You must be prepare to work on that if that is the case.

My galgo has wired hairs. It is a bit like a long-haired jack russel. It is not very soft! But it is pretty. I do think greyhounds are much softer than galgos, but they shed more. Well...more is not that much, they are still both a short coat breed.

Galgos can be more skittish, so they "might" be a bit more overwhelmed in a city environment. Then again, some, like mine, don't mind, you just need the right match :)

All in all I would suggest you be VERY honest about the kind of living you have and what you expect out of a dog and TALK to both adoption agencies (grey and galgo). Say you want a dog that you can take running with you every other day, I'd say galgo. If you want a dog to watch TV with at night, I'd say grey. Both need exercise, but greys tend to necessitate less in my (again) very short experience.

Edited by locket

23786382928_141eff29e1.jpg
Cynthia, with Charlie (Britishlionheart) & Zorro el Galgo
Captain Jack (Check my Spots), my first love

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Why import a dog when there are greyhounds and many other dogs in the country that need homes?

Wendy and The Whole Wherd. American by birth, Southern by choice.
"Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup!"
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8 hours ago, GreyTzu said:

Why import a dog when there are greyhounds and many other dogs in the country that need homes?

Perhaps the OP is not in the USA.

I am in Canada and It is impossible to get any Greys up here from the US at this time. 

We have had 4 Greyhounds.  We currently have a Grey from the US, a Grey from Ireland and  Galgo from Spain.  

I have to agree with everything 'locket' says about the differences.  Greys are lazy.  Our little Galgo is very playful and a bundle of eagerly, although he does sleep quite a lot!

 

 

Nancy...Mom to Sid (Peteles Tiger), Kibo (112 Carlota Galgos) and Joshi.  Missing Casey, Gomer, Mona, Penelope, BillieJean, Bandit, Nixon (Starz Sammie),  Ruby (Watch Me Dash) Nigel (Nigel), and especially little Mario, waiting at the Bridge.

 

 

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Dragongirl, knowing where you live would be helpful in answering your questions. Due to travel restrictions there are very few galgos coming in to the US. Due to track closures in Florida, there are fewer greyhounds available across the country. There are often long waiting lists to adopt.

I've had 1 galgo, 14 greyhounds, 1 ibizan, 2 mutts, 4 italian greyhounds, and 2 podencos from Spain. Each breed has had its challenges. I prefer the seniors. They adapt so much easier to a new home.

 

Freshy (Droopys Fresh), NoAh the podenco orito, Rita the podenco maneta, Howie the portuguese podengo maneto
Angels:  Lila, the podenco, Mr X aka Denali, Lulu the podenco andaluz, Hada the podenco maneta, Georgie Girl (UMR Cordella),  Charlie the iggy,  Mazy (CBR Crazy Girl), Potato, my mystery ibizan girl, Allen (M's Pretty Boy), Percy (Fast But True), Mikey (Doray's Patuti), Pudge le mutt, Tessa the iggy, Possum (Apostle), Gracie (Dusty Lady), Harold (Slatex Harold), "Cousin" Simon our step-iggy, Little Dude the iggy ,Bandit (Bb Blue Jay), Niña the galgo, Wally (Allen Hogg), Thane (Pog Mo Thoine), Oliver (JJ Special Agent), Comet, & Rosie our original mutt.

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2 hours ago, macoduck said:

Dragongirl, knowing where you live would be helpful in answering your questions. Due to travel restrictions there are very few galgos coming in to the US. Due to track closures in Florida, there are fewer greyhounds available across the country. There are often long waiting lists to adopt.

I've had 1 galgo, 14 greyhounds, 1 ibizan, 2 mutts, 4 italian greyhounds, and 2 podencos from Spain. Each breed has had its challenges. I prefer the seniors. They adapt so much easier to a new home.

I am in the US. I am not looking at the moment, this is a year or so out. 

I would be in NYC when I am ready for a dog. 

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2 hours ago, BatterseaBrindl said:

Perhaps the OP is not in the USA.

I am in Canada and It is impossible to get any Greys up here from the US at this time. 

We have had 4 Greyhounds.  We currently have a Grey from the US, a Grey from Ireland and  Galgo from Spain.  

I have to agree with everything 'locket' says about the differences.  Greys are lazy.  Our little Galgo is very playful and a bundle of eagerly, although he does sleep quite a lot!

 

I am in the US. :)

I like that the Galgo are more energetic, I want a dog that will "make" me exercise.

Galgos needing exercise will help me get out more. 

I'm a homebody usually but I want to stay in shape. 

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12 hours ago, GreyTzu said:

Why import a dog when there are greyhounds and many other dogs in the country that need homes?

A dog gets a home that needs one. That's all that matters. We all have our preferences. 

Laura with Celeste (ICU Celeste) and Galgos Beatrix and Encarna
The Horse - Gracie (MD Grace E)
Bridge Angels Faye Oops (Santa Fe Oops), Bonny (
Bonny Drive), Darcy (D's Zipperfoot)

 

 

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Since you're in NYC, definitely reach out to Petra with Save a Galgo Espanol (SAGE). She is a wealth of knowledge. We adopted two of our three from SAGE and one from Greyhound Friends of NJ, who also bring in a few galgos each year (before the pandemic).

Edited by winnie

Laura with Celeste (ICU Celeste) and Galgos Beatrix and Encarna
The Horse - Gracie (MD Grace E)
Bridge Angels Faye Oops (Santa Fe Oops), Bonny (
Bonny Drive), Darcy (D's Zipperfoot)

 

 

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A dog will make you go out and exercise more. Whatever the breed. You have to be aware though that if you are a homebody and want to get exercise, you will exercise every day, in the rain or the snow, whether you are sick or not for multiple years. 

Personally, I do enjoy a good hike with my boys (yes grey can hike too :lol) during the week-end, but during the week I am happy they get enough of their walks and trips to the park :)

23786382928_141eff29e1.jpg
Cynthia, with Charlie (Britishlionheart) & Zorro el Galgo
Captain Jack (Check my Spots), my first love

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29 minutes ago, locket said:

A dog will make you go out and exercise more. Whatever the breed. You have to be aware though that if you are a homebody and want to get exercise, you will exercise every day, in the rain or the snow, whether you are sick or not for multiple years. 

Personally, I do enjoy a good hike with my boys (yes grey can hike too :lol) during the week-end, but during the week I am happy they get enough of their walks and trips to the park :)

I know, I don't mind the rain, snow I can deal with. 

With Greys I've heard too many stories of them injuring themselves or cutting themselves because of their thin skin. 

I've heard stories of them breaking their tails by wagging it too hard against the wall. Or spraining their legs from getting up too fast. 

I'm not saying this won't happen with Galgos. I've just heard they're less fragile than greys. 

Hope that helps :)

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1 hour ago, winnie said:

Since you're in NYC, definitely reach out to Petra with Save a Galgo Espanol (SAGE). She is a wealth of knowledge. We adopted two of our three from SAGE and one from Greyhound Friends of NJ, who also bring in a few galgos each year (before the pandemic).

thank you! I am only worried as I'll most likely be living alone. 

I talked to Galgo De Sol and they didn't adopt to people who were new to the breed or who lived alone, if I remember correctly.

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Best to reach out to one of the US based groups like SAGE or SHUG because they take care of all the transport, foster the dogs and know their personalities. Our 3 were all 5+ y/o when we adopted them. Like Ducky, we prefer seniors. Our 10 y/o boy Rhythm still has plenty of energy for us.

Laura with Celeste (ICU Celeste) and Galgos Beatrix and Encarna
The Horse - Gracie (MD Grace E)
Bridge Angels Faye Oops (Santa Fe Oops), Bonny (
Bonny Drive), Darcy (D's Zipperfoot)

 

 

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Since I'm trying to understand Galgos better. Some more...I guess some more superficial questions?

Definitely not a deal breaker by any means but yeah...superficial.

Are they kind of dogs that will follow you around the house? Or more like cats? I had a cat that would sleep around the house during the day but in the afternoon and night would come sleep with me. 

How does their hair feel? I heard greyhounds are softer but curious. 

Last question, are they as prone to greys with loosing hair? I've seen some Galgos with less hair or thinner hair on their bellies but some not at all, so just curious. 

Thanks everyone, I'll try to respond everyone's comments tonight!

Sorry if I haven't been busy. 🐶

Edited by Dragongirl25
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Usually the coat on galgos is shorter (mine is wired haired so longer!). My grey sheds more.

As for tail banging and skin scrapes, my galgo has seen more than my grey since he has a longer tail and is more active. I have had more health issues with my galgo than with my grey (both 8 years old now). I have been once to the emergency vet with my grey because my galgo rammed into him while they were running. My galgo, well, lets just say he has seen many specialists and vets and had an operation and all that (unrelated to the running injury). I wouldn't say one is more fragile than the other really, in my experience. My galgo has had tears in his skin more often than my grey, again, they are more silly, so its bound to happen more :lol

Greys have a softer coat definitely. It feels like ...I don't know, there isn't a breed quite like it actually...softer than a boxer, a lot, like a husky but not as fluffy and short. Does that makes sense?

They both follow me around the house. To each their days, my grey is more cuddly, but that doesn't mean anything, there is so much variation in between the breed. You have cuddly galgos like you have cuddly greys and you have some that don't like that in both breeds.

 

23786382928_141eff29e1.jpg
Cynthia, with Charlie (Britishlionheart) & Zorro el Galgo
Captain Jack (Check my Spots), my first love

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1 minute ago, locket said:

Usually the coat on galgos is shorter (mine is wired haired so longer!). My grey sheds more.

As for tail banging and skin scrapes, my galgo has seen more than my grey since he has a longer tail and is more active. I have had more health issues with my galgo than with my grey (both 8 years old now). I have been once to the emergency vet with my grey because my galgo rammed into him while they were running. My galgo, well, lets just say he has seen many specialists and vets and had an operation and all that (unrelated to the running injury). I wouldn't say one is more fragile than the other really, in my experience. My galgo has had tears in his skin more often than my grey, again, they are more silly, so its bound to happen more :lol

Greys have a softer coat definitely. It feels like ...I don't know, there isn't a breed quite like it actually...softer than a boxer, a lot, like a husky but not as fluffy and short. Does that makes sense?

They both follow me around the house. To each their days, my grey is more cuddly, but that doesn't mean anything, there is so much variation in between the breed. You have cuddly galgos like you have cuddly greys and you have some that don't like that in both breeds.

 

Hey Locket! Thank you so much! I am hoping to get a wire coated galgo to avoid scrapes 😅 but uh, I'm glad I asked lol. 

Good to know Galgos too have thin skin even with added fur. 

I hope your Galgo is doing ok all things considered.

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Greyhound actually have ticker fur, and let me tell you, fur doesn't protect anything! It is not a husky! I think with both breeds you can get lucky or unlucky regarding vet visits and such. Especially considering you have absolutely NO idea what a galgo has been through. A grey you might have some medical background on him. They are NOT rough and tumble play dogs, either greys or galgos. A nip can tear skin on either. That being said, I never had anything so bad that it required a vet visit (well except that one time :lol). You should meet both, you would really get a better feel of the breeds. Remember they have not been raised or bred for their temperament so there is greys and galgos that can fit almost any family. There are energetic greys like there are more mellow galgos. For a first time owner, considering the training and energy expenditure and all, I tend to recommend greyhounds. But there are a few families to whom I recommended a galgo instead. And it always depends on the family situation, how long the dog will be alone, running opportunities (park or fenced in yard), childrens, cats, man of the house, stairs, flooring....The list is long :lol

My galgo is fine now thank you :)

23786382928_141eff29e1.jpg
Cynthia, with Charlie (Britishlionheart) & Zorro el Galgo
Captain Jack (Check my Spots), my first love

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Hi, Dragongirl 25, I'm just seeing this post now---I'm usually just in the chat club---but I thought I'd reply if you would still like more info.  I think it's great to talk to lots of people, because you can see the differences in experiences as well as the similarities.  I've been obsessed with Galgos since about 2011, a year before my first trip to Spain to volunteer at Scooby, the largest animal shelter in Spain.  I've gone back every year to volunteer there (except when I broke my wrist in 2015), and once at Benjamin Mehnert, in 2013.  I was supposed to go back in May, and was broken hearted that my trip had to be cancelled due to the virus.  I'm hoping I can return next year. I love Spain, and love helping the Galgos!

We kind of seamlessly transitioned from ex-racers to Galgos, starting in the 90's when we began fostering Greyhounds, till 2015, when we adopted our first Galgo.  When we lost our last Grey, Calvin, in 2018, it was the end of an era---over 80 fosters, and 9 adopted ex-racers, and now we only have our 3 Galgo girls from Scooby.  Angie, our first, I adopted without meeting her, but with Kiva and Laila, I picked them (or they picked me) when I was volunteering and staying at Scooby in 2016. It is my happy place, and I'm in heaven being surrounded by, and totally immersed in, hundreds of Galgos. They are all so different!   And I kind of think that many Greyhounds are as different from each other as they are from Galgos.  It's funny, though, each one of my girls has started taking on some traits of angel Greys who have gone before them.

I do think there are some basic differences, of course, and one of the main ones is that more Galgos are likely to be shy or traumatized due to their lives with the galgueros.  It's pretty complex.  They are also more of endurance runners, as their lives depend on them being able to chase the Spanish hares.  If you can, I'd really recommend watching the film, Yo Galgo.  It was---hopefully still is---available on Vimeo.  I believe there is a charge to watch it.   It's a magnificent film by Yeray Lopez, which sheds light on their history, their plight, the good, the bad, the ugly, and the beautiful.  I think everyone who is interested in learning more about Galgos should watch.  It is available with English subtitles.  Here is a link to the film's website:  https://skinnydogfilms.com/yo-galgo-documentary

There is also a Yo Galgo Facebook page.  I'd also recommend checking out the Facebook pages and/or websites of the rescue groups in Spain, and the groups in the US who work with those rescues to bring the dogs to this country and place them through their groups.  Scooby has my heart, so you can find them on Facebook here:  Protectora y Santuario Scooby.

There are many other Spanish groups, but Fundacion Benjamin Mehnert and 112 Carlota Galgos, I've volunteered with and think highly of.  Like others have said, there are quite a few US groups that are great---SAGE and SHUG are two that I've worked with and transported for.  Grateful Greyhounds, which is in the NY area and places Greyhounds and Galgos, is very good as well.  I will say that the rescue groups here are always busy.  They are, of course, valuable sources of information, but may not be able to spend a lot of time on in depth, on-going conversations.  It's not that they don't care, it's just that  they have SO much going on, and so many people and dogs depending on them.

I hope some of the info helps.  You can always PM me here or on Facebook (Nancy Young Hanson), or let me know if you'd like my email.  I always love talking about Galgos!  And I'm always excited when someone wants to adopt a Galgo---they need all the help we can give them---and no, it doesn't matter where in the world they are if they have captured your heart.

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Nancy, Mom to Evangelina and Kiva
Missing Lacey, Patsy, Buster, my heart dog Nick, Winnie, Pollyanna, Tess, my precious Lydia, Calvin Lee, my angel butterfly Laila, and kitties Lily, Sam and Simon
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  • 1 month later...

I have a galgo he came over last fall from Scooby in Spain. I've been working from home since March and will probably continue to do so after the new year. My biggest issue right now is my galgo is very attached to me. He follows me everywhere and whines when he doesn't get enough attention. He gets walked around 3-4 times a day. I'm toying with the idea of possibly getting a retired racer since it sounds like they are calmer than galgos. My thought is it would be a companion for him when I do return to the office. When Winston sees a rabbit or squirrel it is very hard to control him on his leash, he walks on a spook harness all of the time, which goes around his middle twice instead of the standard harness. He has even pulled me down when I don't have a good grip on his leash when he spots those dang rabbits and squirrels. This is why I'd like a calmer greyhound. I'm looking for opinions on adopting a second dog, but as I mentioned it would be a retired racer not another galgo although I love Winston so much.  Thanks for any opinions. This is my first time posting, if this topic needs to be moved, please let me know. 

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