Greyhounds are sight hounds, developed originally for hunting. The fake rabbit is what the racing dogs chase while racing. Not sure how free-roaming small animals would do or if they would excite the hunting instinct to chase. Greyhounds are NOT small dogs. They stand quite tall, though very slender. They MOVE unbeliveably fast when they go, like smoke on the wind. They miss nothing going on around them because they ARE sight hounds. Still use nose and ears, just not as much as other dogs. Being crated or kenneled 90% of their life, they may have no social skills with people. Unlikely to be housebroke, so they would need training with patience to learn new ways in your home. I have heard of them helping you clean off the counter! Sounds funny, unless it was your Sunday roast dinner. They are not usually outside dogs, especially in cold or winter times. Really no hair to keep them warm, so they need sweaters and coats for cold weather. They shiver a lot without even in the house, can get frostbite if left outside. All the ones I have met were pretty nice. Seemed somewhat aloof, but I was not their family or person. They were quiet, well behaved on the leash in groups. I don't know how much homework the folks had put into these ex-racers to gain good manners. Might have been easy, or not. They don't mind confinement with previous crate life. Usually seem pretty quiet. The folks only took them out leashed, because of the speed they can go. Out of hearing in a flash, get lost then. They had fenced back yards, not large spaces or acreage to run far. Some ran the dogs on long lines or off the back of trucks for mileage. Bikes work too. Not fast, just for distances keeping dogs fit. Know what you are getting into before taking one home. They can be very nice, but you will need to do your homework with them. You might check with a Vet, ask what kind of problems they have. Like Pugs and Dalmations shed constantly. Greyhounds also have that very short haircoat, might shed too. I would rather deal with my long Bouvier hair, shear it off a couple times a year. No constant hair clean-up. My Corgi is a shedder learned that AFTER purchase. Yet we have developed techniques to deal with it! Vacuum Cleaner!! She gets brushed hard and swept weekly with the sweeper, daily in spring and fall for coat changes. Then she is done shedding in about a week. We certainly don't have the floating hair that other Corgi families complain about. We trained her to the sweeper since she was little, doesn't have a problem with noise or suction on her hair. We also blow off both dogs with the vac, when they are bathed. Blowing with vac removes TONS of water, they dry much faster. Great since them are bathed at least monthly, more often in mud seasons. Good luck with getting a greyhound. They can be very nice dogs, but you have to work with the breed characteristics, instincts, TRAIN the animal. Know the plus and minus of breed before committing to it. Make a good doggie citizen of them so you can both enjoy living together. I love both my dogs, but each breed has plus features and some minus ones to deal with. If you can't deal with them, don't choose that breed. There is NO PERFECT breed for all people. They can all be excellent dogs, just not for everyone, in their home setting.

Just to clarify - it's a breeder from Ballantine...the dogs are being held at the Metra. The breeder claims the pugs were all sold/adopted, but no one knows where. More information can be found in our local paper, linked below. It's been front page news for a few days now. Jamie (in Billings) Gabriel (Dobe/Lab, CVI) Lucy (GSD/Lab, EPI) Here is a link that might be useful: Billings Gazette

Yes any dog can be successfully trained. First, take your dog for a leash walk 3 times a day 15 minutes AT LEAST. This will help. Next call for a training class, most humane societies run them and they are frequently positive reinforcement classes. Next you have 2 issues. One this dog has not bonded with you and 2 this dog does not respect you. A few years ago my friend adopted a tibetan terrier, they are notorious for being aloof. She contacted the previous owners and found the same issue - the dog could care less. So I suggested she tie a leash to herself and click the other end to the dog and while you are working around the house on a day off or when you have a couple of hours at home, call the dog before you get up to leave - as soon as the dog starts coming with you, praise your dog and reward it (Natural Balance meat sticks diced are a good reward treat - not high in fat) then keep going. Keep doing this, my friend said it worked like a charm on the tibetan she rescued and she was able to let the previous owners know that the dog now followed her everywhere. For outside recall, the inside training will help, since you will be teaching the dog that calling it to you will associate you with treats and that is a good thing. When you go out for your leash walks, same thing, call the dog every now and then, and give it a treat for coming....soon the dog will associate you with a good time. Good luck, please keep posting and let us know what is working VS what is not working....

The only way it would be cruel is if you used it all day, every day and didn't provide fresh water in a non-tippable bowl other than plastic so it can't be chewed and... yes there's more... kept the crate in some place with no HVAC either too hot, too cold, no ventilation such as a garage where fumes from lawn mower fuel just lingers in the air. Slowly introduce dog to crate, reward for going in there. Reward for staying in there for short periods then let out. The ultimate goal while you're gone is a sleeping dog. Once your dog learns there is a schedule... a time for playing, another time for affection, another time for eating, another time for walk, another time for pooping and peeing, another time for running around... then the crate will be known as the part of the day you sleep until mom/dad comes home. Until that time, it will most likely be very rough!!! No long drawn out goodbyes and don't give in to the whines and cries as the dog will learn whining and crying gets you out of the crate.