My bitch whelped in Ireland May 2001, now carrying hock injury, is in season at the moment. I am considering putting her to a best suitable stud dog to achieve a possible top class litter of pups.
Knowing there are pitfalls, could anyone advise me on this? Her name is Abbeygold Choice and she has done a few trials and low grade races at Henlow. She never achieved her true potential, but I think she will make a good brood bitch in about  9 months time?
Her pedigree is on the National Database for you breeding experts to suggest a match for her. I am a first time owner and to date have had little luck with her.
I had the hope of a top dog racing as "Midcroft Harry". Abbeygold Choice has Harry's Gift as part of her line and as my Uncle Harry left me a small legasy, this would be a suitable racing name for a future dog pup.
Uncle Harry lived at a house called Midcroft, up till his recent death

Admin edit

Without wishing to sound rude, I think there are enough racing greyhounds with no future out there now - why breed more?

totally agree china blue there is enough dumped greyhounds in ireland to go around with out adding more just look at this
[link]http://www.irishanimals.com/adoptagreyhound.html[link]

ginastarr

I have to agree with the last posters there are hundreds upon hundreds of greyhound litters bred every year from bitches and dogs who also 'never reached their true potential' ie owners trying to wring every last potential £££ out of rubbish/injured dogs. Take her home, stick her on your sofa and treat her like a real dog not a moneymaking opportunity. There will NEVER be enough homes for every reject greyhound so no one in their right minds would wish to add to the numbers of unwanted and destitute greyhounds produced every year.

sorry i cannot do links

A Greyhounds Story
It wasn't all that long ago
I ran the dusty track for show,
devoted and driven my face pierced the wind
as race after race I fought to contend.
Slow at the turn and lacking in grace
I did what I could but I never placed.
I loved to run hard and hear the crowd roar
yet those cheers turned to boos when I didn't score.
Folks lost their money when they bet on me
they tagged me a loser, said "Retire number three!".
I had no idea what I was likely to find
as I walked from the track for the very last time.
My person was waiting, eyes teared and face so long
I sensed inside the sadness that this time I'd not go home.
I tried to change my person's mind and wagged my tail mighty tail
but I knew deep down without a doubt, like racing I had failed.
We drove along the country roads till we came upon a town
where erected off the main drag was a place known as the pound.
A pretty woman came outside and took me from my crate
my person signed the papers and with one look at my face
said "I'm sorry that I have to go and leave you here to sleep.
I felt my heart break into bits and walked with head bent low
I knew that it was over and I had no place to go.
Inside the dingy building I was checked and tagged and weighed,
a voice said, "We will put him down, tomorrow if not today."
I heard the pretty woman state, "Don't look him in the eye,
he has that Greyhound gaze that says, "I do not want to die."
They put me in a kennel with the others on death row,
I lay down on the concrete and moaned so soft and low.
Morning filtered through the glass, I stretched my weary bones
the pretty woman came to me and said, "It's time to go."
The hall was long and stark and cold, I did not cry or weep
I used my eyes and face and soul to halt eternal sleep.
She tried her best to use defense and look away from me,
she seemed to know how wrong it was to do this deadly deed.
She bent down close and held my face against her silken cheek,
the needle entered my front leg and quickly I felt weak.
I heard the pretty woman sob as she lay me on the floor,
I saw a last glimpse of her face and then I saw no more.
I may not have been the fastest dog to ever run the track,
I just wish someone had loved me so I could have loved them back.
Anon

Don't worry about the link Gina, I pasted it into my browser and just spent the last half an hour looking at all those lovely Irish dogs. Just wish I was closer to Ireland, I might be tempted to meet one or two of them..................

and well said c rose
Kat

Oh Gina
What a sad (but sadly true) poem. Now I want to adopt an old greyhound.

Kat

i would love to adopt a greyhound maybe in a few years when i have more room they are so friendly

I adopted an irish greyhound she is called Gypsy and is about 5 years old, she is absolutely no trouble at all :D.  I think she was handed in by her trainer after her glory days were over.  We've had her for a few months the vet reaconed that she'd been on steriods :( . I have to put a muzzle on her when we go out cos I think she sees anything small and fury as fair game although we do let her have a run if the coast is clear.  I would definately recommend having one.

Hi Storm
I've been promising myself a greyhound at some point for years, I think they are so beautiful. I homevet for a rescue centre, and plenty come in and they are so, so loving. So, definitely - one day
Kat