Galgo News

Category: Advice

  • When and where to walk a dog off leash?

    I was horrified by a report on UK TV Countryfile giving the statistics for the number of incidents every week when sheep and cattle suffer dog attacks, largely caused by people walking on paths alongside grazing animals, through fields of grazing animals…with their dogs off leash! It’s totally unacceptable and irresponsible of the owner. I have no problem about a farmer shooting a dog which is worrying his grazing livestock.

    Everyone should remember that their dog, whatever breed or mix, is basically a domesticated wolf and as such will always have hunting instincts. This is much stronger in some dogs than others, of course, but nevertheless, no one should walk their dog off leash near grazing animals.

    Here’s an article about training your dog to walk off leash

  • Are sighthounds really dogs?

    Dr Couto 400In 2010 I wrote about and took part in medical research into greyhounds and galgos being carried out by Dr Couto of Ohio State University. Dr Couto retired in 2013 but continues with his work through his website.

    In this article he discusses the physiological peculiarities of the greyhound/galgo.

    More on the work of Dr Couto.

  • Thoughts about the Spanish hunters…

    Animal Abuser poster 400What I’d like to do to all Spanish hunters…even those who look after their dogs, because they close their eyes to the horrendous maltreatment and abuse and do nothing to prevent it.

  • Greyhounds make marvellous Therapy dogs

    After being adopted by a stray greyhound back in 1994, and being converted to the breed, Molly became a Pets as Therapy dog. Because of their calm and affectionate temperament the greyhound/galgo breed make marvellous therapy dog. If you would like to know more, read this article.

    Pets as Therapy

  • 15 Dogs poisoned on Costa del Sol

    Breaking news from Spain – please share widely.

  • PETA – more action needed on the Pet Blood Bank Inc maltreated greyhounds

    Further to the recent post about discarded greyhounds suffering inhumane treatment in a Texas canine blood bank, here is the reply from PETA and asking for further action.

    ACTION ALERT

    Dear Friend,

    Thank you for acting in behalf of the approximately 150 perpetually penned greyhounds who neurotically spin in circles, jump up and down, cry out, and hide in old chemical tanks at The Pet Blood Bank, Inc., in Cherokee, Texas, where they’re farmed for blood products.

    Thanks to your quick action, the kennel’s main distributor, Patterson Veterinary Supply, Inc., announced on Friday night that it had stopped doing business with The Pet Blood Bank.

    (more…)

  • A Galgo’s story

    Video about galgos, both their abuse and their rehoming. Several of the abuse photos are old ones from stories featured on Galgo News and in my book ‘From Heaven to Hell’.

    List of galgo rehoming associations on this link.

  • The escape artist, climber, digger, Houdini.

    Escaping dog over fence 400I’m an opportunist, an escapee in the making
    I want to run away from you, your love I am forsaking.

    Because I am scared of everything, and you don’t understand
    I’d sooner run away from you and live out on the land.

    Don’t leave that door open, not even just ajar
    Because if you do I’ll be gone, and run and run so far.

    A window left open, to catch the gentle breeze
    For me that’s a piece of cake. I can get through that with ease.

    I can wriggle out of a harness if that is not secure.
    I’ll find a way I know I can, and of that you can be sure.

    (more…)

  • Scooby Medina appointed an Official European Training Centre

    Earlier this year Scooby became a Certified Training Centre for European Students. What better place to learn about all aspects of animal care and welfare, since Scooby not only has dogs and cats but horses, goats, pigs, ferrets….

    Read the article here.

  • Keep your new dog safe…important lessons to learn

    Ann Marie Payne is with SOS Animals in Coin and has become very concerned about the number of posts for lost dogs! Here’s what she writes.

    ‘Lately I’ve seen so many posts about newly adopted dogs escaping.

    You may be excited at the idea of having a new dog, but your dog is probably terrified and will want to flee at the first opportunity.

    Please try to put yourself in their mind and try to imagine this.

    They may have had a miserable life and ended up in the pound, or simply might have got lost and ended up in there. The pound is not a nice place, and many struggle to survive mentally as well as physically. They go into foster and regain some of their trust, only to find themselves crated up and off to somewhere new.

    (more…)