Race dogs get fresh start

Greyhounds as Pets, affectionately referred to as Gap, has been set up to rehome retired racing dogs - and the charitable trust has a generous adoption package, says trustee member Owen Marron.
"The majority of these dogs that are part of this scheme are ex-racing greyhounds," Owen says. "We have, however, tried to consider other greyhounds that may never have raced. Largely, greyhounds as a breed are specifically bred to race. Obviously most of them start off within the system to be whelped, reared, raced then retired."
Owen says some dogs don't ever make it to racing for a variety of reasons, such as a non-chasing trait. Many such dogs have been entered in the Gap scheme.
In the past, Gap has had some problems with retired greyhounds, especially with the worry of what may become of the dogs when they are retired or forced out of the racing scene through injury.
"We had to deal with these dogs' futures as there was an increasing awareness by some people who were worried about the exploitation of animals.
"I suppose we had also exploited these dogs because originally they had been bred to pursue live game but, in the last 80 or 90 years, they have found a niche as an animal that could be exploited for gambling."
This was a problem for the industry but Owen said the organisation thought it was time to look at the ethical aspects of racing these long-legged runners.
"The outcome, of course, was the formation of Gap and this required a kennel base from which to rehome the dogs.
"Our task from there on was to find out whether the greyhounds that were referred to us were small-dog friendly, cat friendly or familiar with the foster home situation.
"From this base, the dogs would be signed on to people who wished to adopt a greyhound."
More than 600 dogs have been rehomed.
"We started in Sanson, where we had a guaranteed kennel space put aside for the year.
"This has been going along successfully. We have also started up in Amberley in the South Island and have an arrangement with a nice kennel down there.
"Currently we are fortunate to have as our programme director, Jacqui Eyley, who carries out a great deal of the work required and we meet as a board every two or three months to strategic plan.
"At the moment, we are working on a plan to establish our own kennel system here in the Wairarapa.
"This will rely on fundraising enterprises and efforts to continually convince the greyhound-racing industry that we are more than a worthy cause."
Owen, who is based in Masterton, was a full-time trainer for 20 years but is now retired. However, he still races a few greyhounds.
"I have always had a companion greyhound and my present companion is a black beauty called Allison. I've had this greyhound's dam line for 30 years."
Greyhounds are the fortunate owners of particularly large hearts and lungs.
They also benefit from minimal fat levels and a lightweight bone structure, making them ideal racing machines.
"Most of them make excellent pets, being good natured," says Owen.
"Despite being the fastest dog breed in the world, being capable of reaching speeds of [72km/h] in short sharp sprints, they require relatively little exercise compared to other breeds."
The greyhound has a worthy history, being the recipient of evolutionary design with just a modicum of human intervention. Similar hounds are thought to have developed in ancient Egypt and were valued as excellent sight hounds with the required speed to pursue deer and other small animals for hunters.
The sport of greyhound racing became popular in more modern times and its popularity increased with the introduction of the mechanical hare in 1912. However, a greyhound's career is often over by the age of 6.
For the retiree hound, running or walking for 20 minutes a day is sufficient exercise. After this, they are more than happy to enjoy a long snooze and plenty of rest. They are therefore ideal for small accommodation situations.
Owen says the Gap website lists many happy mum-and-dad greyhound owners. "Currently we have a number of new local applications largely from the last Masterton A&P show, where we had an exhibition."
Contact Owen Marron at (06) 377 1762 or Sally Barrett, Gap Wairarapa regional co-ordinator, at (06) 379 5635 or visit www.greyhoundsaspets.org.nz