Adopting the Racing Greyhound [Paperback]

Cynthia A. Branigan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2003

The first edition of this book was responsible for inspiring tens of thousands of people to adopt ex-racers. Now, this fully updated edition features groundbreaking veterinary information not available anywhere else. Greyhound authority Cynthia Branigan–who has placed over 4,000 Greyhounds through her organization–offers updated statistics on the costs involved with adopting as well as new health information, such as warnings about tick-borne diseases and suggestions on buying veterinary insurance. Branigan carefully explains how to care for a Greyhound–everything from feeding and grooming to training–and how to extend the dog’s life span. Readers will also find a wealth of updated information on medical conditions in Greyhounds and the latest in tests and treatment.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

"Greyhound adopters have made Adopting the Racing Greyhound their Bible and for good reason. Written from experience and also from the heart. A gem."
–Carol Lea Benjamin, award-winning author of Mother Knows Best

"The book that has had the single biggest impact on Greyhound adoption."
–Joan Belle Isle, The Greyhound Project

Since the first edition of this groundbreaking book was published, tens of thousands of people have been inspired to adopt ex-racing Greyhounds. These gentle, lovable dogs have special physical and emotional needs, and no other guide is more authoritative or complete in preparing potential Greyhound owners for the responsibilities involved than Adopting the Racing Greyhound.

This fully updated edition features veterinary information not available elsewhere, backed up by painstaking research by some of the country’s leading authorities. Respected greyhound authority Cynthia Branigan–who has helped place more than 4,000 ex-racers through her organization–provides updated statistics on the costs of adoption as well as new health information, such as safe new flea, tick and heartworm preventives, anesthesia protocols for Greyhounds and suggestions on purchasing veterinary insurance.

Branigan carefully explains how potential adopters can decide whether a Greyhound is the right dog for them–a critical issue in successful adoptions–and covers everything from feeding and grooming to training to extending the dog’s life span. She helps readers prepare a Greyhound for the arrival of a new baby; decide whether or not to add a Greyhound to an existing pack of dogs; determine when to return an adopted dog; and locate adoption agencies throughout the world. Branigan also offers a wealth of updated information on medical conditions in Greyhounds and the latest in tests and treatments.

A HOWELL DOG BOOK OF DISTINCTION

About the Author

CYNTHIA A. BRANIGAN is president of Make Peace With Animals, an animal welfare group. Among the group’s special missions are Greyhound rescue and placement. Branigan is recognized as the country’s leading expert on adopting racing Greyhounds, and frequently gives seminars and interviews on the topic. Branigan is the only author of a book on Greyhound adoption who is also founder and president of an adoption agency, which has placed more than 4,000 Greyhounds since its founding in 1988.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Howell Book House; 3 edition (August 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764540866
• ISBN-13: 978-0764540868
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (63 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #40,648 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

52 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Start Here, August 21, 2000

By 

Ivy (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Adopting the Racing Greyhound (Paperback)

If you're thinking about adopting a retired racing Greyhound,there are many great resources for you on the web and in hardcopy. This book is probably the best of them. It is inclusive and informative on virtually all topics of general interest to Greyhound owners, and is a good starting place for more specialized Greyhound-related topics. (In addition, any adoption group will be more inclined to regard you favorably if you've already read this book!)

Adopting the Racing Greyhound covers everything from track life to pet health. With this book in your hand and your mind, you can avoid some of the pitfalls of Greyhound ownership, and locate and develop the best relationship possible with your very own needlenose. There's simply no other resource available in any format that can provide such a good overview of Greyhounds in pet life.

This will not be the only book you'll need once you have your hound. (You may want to purchase, for example, Care of the Racing Greyhound by Blythe for medical topics, and Playtraining Your Dog by Burnham for training topics.) But it will teach you enough about hounds to decide if one is truly right for you, and it will help you get through the first days, weeks, and months of ownership, too.

In short, this book is a necessity for every Greyhound owner or owner wannabe... END

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must-Have For Any Greyhound Owner, August 28, 2000

By 

"greysrgreat" (Lansdale, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Adopting the Racing Greyhound (Paperback)

This is, by far, the best book on greyhound adoption that I have read. Cynthia Branigan does an excellent job of translating her 10+ years of greyhound adoption experience into a manual that is clear, concise and very easy to read. She takes you through the adoption and adjustment process practically step-by-step, from choosing the right dog to helping both you and your new pet adjust to life away from the track. I especially appreciated the information concerning insecticides and anesthesia - I don't believe my veterinarian expected me to have as many questions on the subject as I did! I don't believe that Cynthia glosses over the racing industry or the abuses these wonderful dogs often face, as the purpose of this book is not an expose on the horrors of greyhound racing. (As anyone who is involved in greyhound adoption will tell you, you will learn about all of that soon enough the minute you take an interest in these dogs.) What this book WILL provide is the best information you will find on how to welcome these "greyt" dogs into your life. As a volunteer with Make Peace With Animals and the owner of three greyhounds, I highly recommend this book to anyone who currently owns or has considered adopting an ex-racer.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Book on Greyhounds, June 19, 2005

By 

Sheryl Katz (Chatsworth, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Adopting the Racing Greyhound (Paperback)

Several years ago my partner and I were looking for a large sized dog to keep in an apartment. After quite a bit of research we learned about racing greyhounds. We ended up acquiring two of them. Then we got a house and had three. The original two got old and passed away and we now own our fourth and fifth. Greyhounds can be kind of addicting.

I've read pretty much every book ever written on Greyhounds and one time or another, and have searched the web extensively. When greyhound adoption first became popular Branigan's book was the only published reliable source. Since then other good books have been written, but I still think anyone interested in greyhounds should start here.

The book provides good advice on dealing with the greyhound when you first get it home and get it accustomed to living in a house. However, I'm not a big fan of crating my dogs. In our home we have actually made the dogs their own area where we sometimes confine them, although it is more of an in-house kennel complete with couch dog beds and doggy door (and windows for squirrel watching). They do actually like having some degree of confinement, and Branigan is correct in suggesting that the dog needs time to adjust and a degree of confinement. After all, they lived in a crate until they came to the house.

She also provides, as others have noted, quite a bit of good medical information. Not only is the thyroid information important, but I have spoken with every vet about the greyhound's sensitivity to anesthesia.

Every greyhound owner, or anyone thinking about owning a greyhound, should read this book.