Considering that there are 50-60 greyhounds in the local retired greyhound rehoming kennels at any one time, the dogs are generally incredibly good natured with one another.
There are some dogs like Mark, currently on home-trial, who will have a growl and bark at some other males. However, these dogs are well-known for their behaviour, and we make sure we don't bring them into the yard when there are male dogs about.
If I meet another dog while out on a walk with one of the growly dogs, I simply keep him on a short lead, make sure we pass walker to walker - so that the dogs are on the far side of one another - and speak gently to him as we pass. It usually works, but if the dog gets worked up, I just calmly walk on with him barking and growling. The other male is soon forgotten.
However, in the past week, there has been a strange spate of dogs biting their kennel-mates at night. Well, when I say a spate, there have been two incidents. It's remarkable, because it's unusual. Both pairs were long term partners, and in both the males were previously bitten by other partners.
One of the dogs involved is my favourite Nicky. He'd been bitten several times previously, but this time the worm turned and he bit his partner Becky.
Poor old Tim - a lovely bay boy - was also bitten by his long-term partner.
Two mysteries - why do these boys always seem to get bitten? One answer could be that the females are often more dominant and these guys are just a bit wimpy. Another answer that a kennel-hand gave, probably only partly tongue in cheek, is that the dogs are just really annoying.
The other mystery is why now, when the dogs have been happily kennelled together for several weeks? One theory is it could be those pesky fireworks, which are still going off around the kennels.
All the dogs have new kennel-mates so hopefully peace will once again reign.
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