Adopting the Racing Greyhound [Paperback]

Cynthia A. Branigan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 13, 1998

This revised and updated edition of the only book on "homing" the ex-racer tells prospective adopters everything they need to know to make adoption a success. In addition to practical information, such as care and feeding, readers learn the latest about the activities and competitions that are just for ex-racers and their owners. The Appendix lists all the agencies nationwide that adopt out Greyhounds, so an agency is sure to be nearby. For thousands of years Greyhounds have been bred to hunt and run at top speed. Because they are used to being with other dogs and people, they make perfect pets. Adopters can be assured their ex-racer will get along with adults and children and other household pets.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

"The book that has had the single biggest impact on Greyhound adoption, Cynthia Branigan's Adopting the Racing Greyhound, has become required reading for many new Greyhound adopters around the world." ? Joan Belle Isle, The Greyhound Project

If you are thinking about adopting a racing Greyhound or want to better understand the ex-racer you already have, then this is the perfect book for you. Everything you need to know about successfully "homing" an ex-racer can be found here?the only book of its kind on the subject. In no time, you will learn that although these remarkable dogs have been bred to hunt and run at top speed, they are used to being with other dogs and people. It's in their nature to get along with adults and children and, of course, other household pets. In addition to detailing the fascinating history of the Greyhound breed from ancient times to the present, Cynthia A. Branigan addresses such topics as preparing the home; feeding, grooming and training; equipment, medicines and health-care products; and activities & competitions just for ex-racers and their owners.

In 1992, when Adopting the Racing Greyhound was first published, 40 agencies in the United States adopted out ex-racers. Now, thanks in no small part to this book, the number of agencies is nearing the 300 mark. The Appendix contains the names, addresses and telephone numbers of all the adoption groups in existence today, so you're sure to find one in your area.
A Howell Dog Book of Distinction

About the Author

Cynthia A. Branigan is a freelance writer and president of Make Peace With Animals, an animal protection group. Among the group's special missions are Greyhound rescue and placement. From her home in Pennsylvania, she travels to give lectures and radio and television interviews on adopting racing Greyhounds and the humane treatment of all animals. She is the author of The Reign of the Greyhound: A Popular History of the Oldest Family of Dogs, her DWAA Maxwell award-winning book, also published by Howell Book House.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Howell Book House; 2 edition (May 13, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 087605193X
• ISBN-13: 978-0876051931
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (63 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #808,684 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.