Are galgos good pets?

Are galgos good pets?

Being a country dog, many Galgos are insecure and fearful, but this can be easily corrected given that at its origin, it is a breed that loves to play and be with its family. Although the breed has been designed for hunting and running, Galgos make excellent pets as at home as they love to be calm.

Are galgos and greyhounds the same?

The Spanish Galgo (sometimes called the Spanish Greyhound) is an ancient breed, and a member of the Sighthound family. Despite a close resemblance, they are a separate breed from the racing Greyhounds seen in the USA and UK.

Why are galgos abandoned?

Some GDS galgos were saved from perreras (killing stations) where their lives were due to be ended. The majority were abandoned or escapees living rough and scavenging to survive until caught by the GDS team who often face hostility from locals for rescuing a breed deemed worthless.

How are galgos different to greyhounds?

The first, most obvious difference between a Galgo and a Greyhound is the size. Galgos are generally smaller than Greyhounds. ... As for build, structurally the Galgos are higher over the hip area than they are at the shoulder. Their bodies are longer, they have longer heads and necks, larger ears, and longer hooked tails.

Do galgos need a lot of exercise?

Three times a week they go down to the beach for a run. This takes about an hour. On these days they also get a walk of around 45mins to an hour. Once a week they get an hours walk with a neighbours dog, and then they may get a run on the beach of another hours walk later in the day.

Are galgos healthy?

The Galgo Espanol is a generally healthy breed. Sighthounds in general have a tendency toward osteosarcoma (bone cancer). The Galgo is a rare breed in the United States, and puppies are not readily available.

Are galgos and Podencos the same?

Galgos and podencos are two distinctive Spanish sighthounds that are bred to hunt in packs for a brief recreational season. ... Whether due to tradition or culture, the abuse and abandonment of galgos and podencos has endured for centuries.

Why are there so many greyhounds in Spain?

With their narrow head and long legs, greyhounds are one of the fastest dog breeds on earth, making them the preferred choice of hunters in Spain to catch rabbits and hares. But instead of being rewarded, campaigners say greyhounds are often mistreated, especially once they have become too old to hunt.

Why Spain break dogs legs?

In reality, the practice is simply an exercise in sadism that involves burning the dogs with acid, dragging them behind cars, sacrificing them to fighting dogs, skinning them alive or burying them alive. ... Because the galgos are regarded under Spanish law as working dogs, they are excluded from the laws relating to pets.

Why do they hang dogs in Spain?

In Spain, after the hunting season ends, there is a tradition of killing dogs that have been involved in hunting, mostly either Spanish greyhounds (galgos) or podencos. The dogs are often killed in an unethical manner, such as by hanging, poisoning or stoning.

What are Galgos used for?

• Galgos are widely used by hunters in the rural areas of Spain for both hunting and hare coursing with betting. They are considered disposable and when the short hunting season ends each year, tens of thousands are abandoned or brutally killed by their owners to whom they are no longer of use.

Where to find Galgos in Spain?

• The lucky ones are rescued by a handful of shelters in Spain, operated by dedicated individuals. Almost all of the resources to help the dogs come from outside of Spain, namely the US, UK, Belgium, Denmark, France, Holland and Germany. There are a handful of Spanish shelters dedicated to saving the galgos and other unwanted animals of Spain.

Is a Spanish Galgo a loyal breed?

• Like the Greyhound, the Spanish Galgo is known for being a generally very affectionate and loyal breed. They can be shy and reserved around strangers. They tend to be calm and docile, and can even be lazy when in the house, enjoying nothing more than lounging around on a comfy bed or the sofa.

What is the Galgo rescue international network?

• The Galgo Rescue International Network (GRIN) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit animal welfare organization run entirely by volunteers that was founded to establish a relationship between the animal shelters in Spain and animal lovers in the United States and around the world.