I’m Getting A Greyhound Next Week, And I Have A Few Questions…?
Filed under Care & Training Q&As
We are going to visit two different rescue groups next week, so I don’t have one picked out yet, but I would like to eventually register her with the CGC training. Does anyone know anything regarding GHs and this test? This will be our first GH, but I have been around several of them, and I know that they are very sweet and gentle dogs, and the ones I have spent time with seem like they would be very good material for therapy dogs. Does anyone have a greyhound that is registered with the CGC?
Also, because they are full bred, can I register her with the AKC. The websites of the places we are looking at don’t mention anything about the dogs being registered or coming with papers. They are retired racers, so it is rescue, but I would still like to register her if possible.
And lastly! I keep saying “her”, but we really don’t know yet. I am pretty sure that I want a female, but I am more concerned with a good dog. So, males v. females? Pros and cons… Any suggestions?
Thanks!
Related posts:
My original four greyhounds earned their CGC titles and went on to earn their TDI credentials. All loved their training, especially the down-stay! LOL! You’ll understand the joke once you have your greyhound home.
Your greyhound can get an ILP (indefinite listing privilege) to show in AKC events, except in the breed ring (conformation) because your greyhound will be altered. See http://www.akc.org/reg/ilpex.cfm
As far as gender is concerned, only you can decide that. I’ve had far more females than males, but my very best obedience dog was male. Males are typically larger and heavier.
You mention working with two greyhound groups. My advice is to let them help you choose your dog. Don’t choose by gender and certainly not by color. Choose by temperament above all else.
NOT breed specific!!!!
CGC does NOT equal “therapy dog”!!!!
If both parents weren’t AKC, the litter ISN’T & can’t be….you might be able to get an ILP…for ALTERED dog & to enter PERFORMANCE events only.
If your dog is a retired racer, they are registered with NGA, and the AKC considers that an AKC Accepted Registry. So you could get them registered with the AKC, but why would you want to? You aren’t going to be breeding the dog, or going for conformance shows (since the dog is altered, it can’t compete in the show ring), and if you want to do the other kinds of competitions, you can just get an ILP/PAL number. If you are just interested in having the paperwork for your dog, you can get your Pet Registration from NGA, which comes with a nice 2-generation pedigree and your dog’s Bertillion card (which tells the markings and tattoos and is what the track uses to make sure the dog running is the one it claims to be). The Pet Registration says essentially that the dog is now yours and can’t be bred or raced. It’s relatively easy to get if the previous owner is willing to sign a form.
As other people have said, the CGC is not a registry, it’s a certification, and there is no reason that you can’t try and get your dog CGC certified. It will take more than that to become a therapy dog, but it’s a good first step. Look into the Delta Society or Therapy Dogs International for more information on what you need to do to get the dog qualified as a therapy dog.
People will argue about which is better, male or female, but personally, I would just tell the rescues what sort of temperament you are looking for and see who meets it. You do know that some of them are high prey-drive dogs, and that can mean small animal or small dog aggression issues?
Also, if you are just starting to work with a rescue agency, it may take more than a week to get your dog. They will generally do home visits, and check your references, and then there may be a delay if you are picky about age, color, etc. Have you been to any of their meet and greets? That’s the first step. You want to find a group that you are comfortable with, since you will be going to these people for advice and help if you run into a problem with your dog.
Oh, and once you get your dog, you may be able to look up their race information and pedigree on http://www.greyhound-data.com. They don’t always have all the information, but there tends to be a lot of it in there. My girl’s Kb’s Trinkett, if you want to see the kind of information they have.
Rescue dogs cannot be AKC – they must be “fixed” and that is a condition of the rescue.
As far as female vs male = well, at one time I had an overwhelming number of females vs males but now I have five boys and one girl (Dachshunds).
It will depend on the dog’s personality. I have had such strong-headed b*’s and then I have had some really easy to deal with. The same with the boys.
Dachshunds are aghast at the thought of one of the Doxies on steroids…that is what it amounts to! Oh, they meant they would become pitbulls! Seriously, GH, from what I know of them, are super dogggies. Just don’t let them get too much freedom and run like the wind…they likely will.
Keep her on a LONG lead or have a heck of a lot of fence…let her run. They have always seemed like such a laid-back breed to me and pretty darn social (compared to some of the others).
I think you will do just fine with the choice.