Jump to content

Greyhounds


 Share

Recommended Posts

I've been noticing lots of greyhounds around recently, they seem to be becoming more popular in pet homes. I think they are gorgeous dogs and while probably not great in my home I think they are probably a birlliant dog for a lot of people (certainly I've got a couple of friends I'd recommend them to!).

Anyway, the questions I have are about the laws around greyhounds, and I was just wanting some clarity. Obviously I'm in Vic, and the laws may be different state to state. But...

- Do all greyhounds, except those that have gone through GAP, have to wear muzzles when out and about?

- Are greyhounds allowed off lead?

- I know there are restrictions on the greyhounds, why aren't there the same restrictions on other sighthounds?

When I ahd my 2 down at the beach the other day there were several greyhounds there, Hamish just thought they were great!!! And even Kenzie enjoyed playing chasey with them 9and she's the fussy one!). it was nice to see them somewhere where I don't normally see them!

Anyway, just wondering!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Below is my understanding...

- Do all greyhounds, except those that have gone through GAP, have to wear muzzles when out and about? Sort of. They need to go through the GAP assessment and pass. Non-GAP greyhounds can also do this assessment. The owner needs to apply and pay a fee to get the assessment done.

- Are greyhounds allowed off lead? Not on public land.

- I know there are restrictions on the greyhounds, why aren't there the same restrictions on other sighthounds? Don't know. I think it all comes down to history.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

In Victoria only GAP greyhounds are allowed to be muzzle free. If you adopt a grey from elsewhere you can get them assessed by GAP but, by my understanding, they then become GAP dogs, ie they are issued a number etc same as if you had adopted them first from GAP, you still own them. They have to stay at GAP for several days.

By law no greyhound is allowed off lead except on private property, even GAP greyhounds, even off lead parks.

ETA they must wear their identifying collar when out and about

Edited by Rebanne
Link to comment
Share on other sites

In Victoria only GAP greyhounds are allowed to be muzzle free. If you adopt a grey from elsewhere you can get them assessed by GAP but, by my understanding, they then become GAP dogs, ie they are issued a number etc same as if you had adopted them first from GAP, you still own them. They have to stay at GAP for several days.

By law no greyhound is allowed off lead except on private property, even GAP greyhounds, even off lead parks.

ETA they must wear their identifying collar when out and about

Is this every state, and does it apply to non-race bred greys? I thought that was the case, but there is a grey in my local dog park that is always off-lead, muzzle-free with no special identification so I wondered if maybe it wasn't.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

In Victoria only GAP greyhounds are allowed to be muzzle free. If you adopt a grey from elsewhere you can get them assessed by GAP but, by my understanding, they then become GAP dogs, ie they are issued a number etc same as if you had adopted them first from GAP, you still own them. They have to stay at GAP for several days.

By law no greyhound is allowed off lead except on private property, even GAP greyhounds, even off lead parks.

ETA they must wear their identifying collar when out and about

Is this every state, and does it apply to non-race bred greys? I thought that was the case, but there is a grey in my local dog park that is always off-lead, muzzle-free with no special identification so I wondered if maybe it wasn't.

What I have said applies to Victoria, to all greyhounds including show bred. You can exhibit greyhounds at sanctioned events, shows, agility, obedience etc, without a muzzle.

NSW has only recently bought in the green collars (muzzle free) but I understand, for things I have read, that greyhounds are allowed off lead, but should still be muzzled if not previously tested and excempt.

Edited by Rebanne
Link to comment
Share on other sites

absolute ignorant question..but why are greyhounds muzzled..are they a genuine threat to safety..more so than other dogs? Is this action borne out of hard fact?

it's a hang over from the olden days. No more a threat then any other dog. They are sighthounds, they hunt, so do lots of other dogs.

Edited by Rebanne
Link to comment
Share on other sites

http://www.greenhounds.com.au/what-is-a-greenhound.html

This is how it works in NSW. The two assesors I know that people have taken their greys to (one here at Avoca and one in Sydney) only keep the dog for 2 hours to assess.

Minimax many people just ignore the law and don't muzzle their dogs because "they" think greyhounds shouldn't be muzzled, I see it a lot around here. For me to get both of my greys greencollared it would cost me $300 to $400 depending on what the assesor charges. I don't take mine to offlead dog parks as personally I don't like them but any grey even with a green collar( which must be worn in public at all times) is still required to wear a muzzle offlead.

Edited by stans mum
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have owned Greys & i would trust them more than any other breed

I can understand your attitude. We've lived next to well cared for racing greyhounds for years. Their owner socialises the puppies with children...and our small dogs. They're truly lovely dogs ... totally trustworthy.

When his puppies come back a few years later, they still have the lovely natures they went with. And they remember us & the small dogs. Only yesterday, one of our tibbies was busy up at the fence 'talking' to a new greyhound.... who was wagging its tail like mad.

Best doggie neighbours anyone could have.

Edited by mita
Link to comment
Share on other sites

WA laws are still so old fashioned its laughable

I have owned Greys & i would trust them more than any other breed

One of the reasons why we chose to re-home our Grey in the UK rather than bring her over - she would never get the chance to have a good run over here :(

She would no longer be able to this.....

th_IMG_5568.jpg

or this

th_IMG_4501.jpg

or this :)

th_IMG_4494.jpg

Edited by CrazyCresties
Link to comment
Share on other sites

In Victoria only GAP greyhounds are allowed to be muzzle free. If you adopt a grey from elsewhere you can get them assessed by GAP but, by my understanding, they then become GAP dogs, ie they are issued a number etc same as if you had adopted them first from GAP, you still own them. They have to stay at GAP for several days.

By law no greyhound is allowed off lead except on private property, even GAP greyhounds, even off lead parks.

ETA they must wear their identifying collar when out and about

Is this every state, and does it apply to non-race bred greys? I thought that was the case, but there is a grey in my local dog park that is always off-lead, muzzle-free with no special identification so I wondered if maybe it wasn't.

What I have said applies to Victoria, to all greyhounds including show bred. You can exhibit greyhounds at sanctioned events, shows, agility, obedience etc, without a muzzle.

NSW has only recently bought in the green collars (muzzle free) but I understand, for things I have read, that greyhounds are allowed off lead, but should still be muzzled if not previously tested and excempt.

It's the same in Tasmania- muzzled (we have no green collar system) unless being shown, participating in agility trials or participating in obedience trials.

Some groups down here tell people not to muzzle their dogs because they believe muzzle laws are BSL. Personally, I think some greyhounds do need to be muzzled if they're going to be released to pet homes.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

So just to clarify for NSW, you can have them with no muzzle onlead if they have been tested, but if you take them to an offlead are they must put a muzzle on?

Sounds bloody stupid, they are either ok or not, i have met many swf onlead that should be muzzled :laugh:

I have fostered a few greys and love them, one day i will get another when i have a big enough yard for grey zoomies.

we have church land behind us ( now built on), but when it was open i took one grey round there to run ( flame suit on, don't care :D ), and it took my breath away watching him run.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What I have said applies to Victoria, to all greyhounds including show bred. You can exhibit greyhounds at sanctioned events, shows, agility, obedience etc, without a muzzle.

When you say sanctioned do you mean just ANKC or can it be another organisation?

So they can compete but not train offlead? Unless on private land?

Just curious as we have a greyhound starting flyball training and is going great but I've always been curious as too whether he could legally compete or not as flyball isn't an ANKC sport.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Not sure about the lead part, but when I was taking Pia to obedience they said she didnt need a muzzle when 'under direction' from an instructor. I had to have the muzzle on before class, take it off during class, then put it back on to walk back to the car. So perhaps the same applies for being off lead?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

So just to clarify for NSW, you can have them with no muzzle onlead if they have been tested, but if you take them to an offlead are they must put a muzzle on?

Sounds bloody stupid, they are either ok or not, i have met many swf onlead that should be muzzled :laugh:

I have fostered a few greys and love them, one day i will get another when i have a big enough yard for grey zoomies.

we have church land behind us ( now built on), but when it was open i took one grey round there to run ( flame suit on, don't care :D ), and it took my breath away watching him run.

The offlead thing isn't so much about prey drive as it is about greyhounds being more likely to run off and their terrible road sense. It is for their safety that they be walked on lead- imagine how you might have felt if that dog had gotten away from you, run out onto the road after something interesting and been hit by a car.

People ignoring the laws because it pleases them are not doing the right thing by their dogs, simple as that.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What I have said applies to Victoria, to all greyhounds including show bred. You can exhibit greyhounds at sanctioned events, shows, agility, obedience etc, without a muzzle.

When you say sanctioned do you mean just ANKC or can it be another organisation?

So they can compete but not train offlead? Unless on private land?

Just curious as we have a greyhound starting flyball training and is going great but I've always been curious as too whether he could legally compete or not as flyball isn't an ANKC sport.

Not sure about the lead part, but when I was taking Pia to obedience they said she didnt need a muzzle when 'under direction' from an instructor. I had to have the muzzle on before class, take it off during class, then put it back on to walk back to the car. So perhaps the same applies for being off lead?

It's been a while since I read up on the laws but as I remember the wording it is ANKC sanctioned events and, also, clubs. So off lead/muzzle free is allowed at a ANKC registered club. This is in Victoria. One of the obedience clubs I have frequented in the past is no longer affiliated with the VCA. If I took a grey there now they would have to be muzzled and leashed as they (used to) train at a public park.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

HA , i get what you are saying, but the land is boxed in by houses with me standing in front of the entrance, so he couldn't have got past, my street is a quiet dead end too.

I wouldn't do it again, but i just wanted to see him run, he did 2 laps ( 3 acre paddock),and then came and flopped at my feet. :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...