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Dave Cunningham Ireland (Verified User) Posts 2081 Dogs 0 / Races 0 19 Jun 2016 17:45
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Bridget Cullen wrote:
Ending a dogs career at 4 is not what any owner wants but are forced due to the grading and system we have at the moment older dogs are not able compete with the young guns coming trough and even in the same grade the younger dog will have an advantage over the older one that's why it is necessary to group them into age groups once they turn 4 it is also necessary to give them equal opportunity to race which might mean a 12 race card or an extra meeting and also big stakes need to be put in place for them...the igb should make it a legal rule that all greyhounds stay in training till 6 other wise a vet needs to sign them off as officially been retired and stated for what reason...the pluses of this for breeders and owners and welfare well out weigh the minuses its an idea that defo needs to be looked at...and forget about the tried that didn't work attitude as that's not the way forward in this game...
Bridget, there is a Tipperary GOBA meeting shortly in your area I suggest you go along pay your fiver and put your idea forward this way it will have to be discussed at the meeting and brought forward.
Although I see it as a good idea for owners who like to keep their greyhounds racing for as long as possible, I also see a problem rehoming older ex racers. People don't mind adopting a 3 or 4 year old but it's a very different matter when the dog is 6 years old with double amount of races on his/her card. Higher risk of arthritis and other old age side effects from a longer racing career.
Yes Lotte that's a factor but i personally think a dog kept racing at the age of 6 will be a lot healthier than a dog retired at that age...I think its a no brainer of an idea rather than the dogs having to find new homes at the age of 3 or 4 the dogs get 6 years with its owner which will be a huge relief to the rehoming section the cost of rehoming for 3 years is expelled and I'm sure would save the board huge money and also generate more money for owners and breeders as greyhounds would have longer careers which would make them more valuable...
Yes Lotte that's a factor but i personally think a dog kept racing at the age of 6 will be a lot healthier than a dog retired at that age...I think its a no brainer of an idea rather than the dogs having to find new homes at the age of 3 or 4 the dogs get 6 years with its owner which will be a huge relief to the rehoming section the cost of rehoming for 3 years is expelled and I'm sure would save the board huge money and also generate more money for owners and breeders as greyhounds would have longer careers which would make them more valuable...
I fail to see how a 6 year old race dog is healthier than a 3 year old. If I were to adopt an ex racer Id prefer a 3 year old over a 6 year old any day. I also fail to see how IGB would save money on rehoming, same dogs need rehoming just a few years later. Don't get me wrong. Its brilliant you're thinking out of the box and for those owners who keep their retired dogs its a great initiative. Those who dont, well they have the choice of rehoming earlier.
Read the post again Lotte your not getting what I'm saying...I never said a 6 year old would be healthier than a 3 year old I said it would be healthier than one of the same age that would be retired...and they would save money as the dogs in need of rehoming would be dramatically reduced for first 3 years as they would be kept in training the life span with new owners would also be 3 years shorter and through natural causes age process ect less dogs would be coming through at the 6 to 7 marker...also Lotte yes that's natural you would want a younger dog and I'm sure their would be plenty available as some would naturally be retiring trough injury but a lot of the time the older ones make better pets and are more suitable for rehoming as they have matured and are much calmer and relaxed...
If you need help or advice about a dog you are retiring then this is the place for you.
