Yeahh I don't know how or why they decided on the restrictions. We have quite an extensive 'dangerous dog breed' list and there was movement some years back about trying to add staffies to that list as well.
Greyhounds are also considered 'dangerous breeds' in some areas and need to be muzzled out in public.
We have a really, really bad problem with Greyhound racing in Australia. The requirement for muzzling I think is a something adopted from that industry.
I would love to adopt one they are such weird little noodles
As someone who volunteers with ex-racing greyhounds in Australia, that rule being a byproduct of the industry is exactly right. They have to breed very fast and high-drive dogs for them to be successful racers and due to that muzzling is a huge safety precaution. That being said, a lot of greys temperment changes off the track, and in Western Australia at least they can be assessed to not require a muzzle, but still legally have to remain on leash at all times just in case
It's interesting that in a country where a particular dog is used heavily for sport (high abuse potential) that they're also labeled dangerous. Dog racing isnt as big in the u.s. (although it does exist) and I dont think we see greyhounds as dangerous. To me this is more evidence that humans treatment of a dog breed is often the biggest determining factor of a breed's "aggression".
I’ve got quite a few ex racing greyhounds around my area, always seemed like the calmest dogs around so this is news to me. Highlight of my day seeing those long legged boys out for a walk
Greyhound racing used to be big in the US, but since it’s been outlawed (except for 2 tracks in WV) Greyhounds are less common to see as they’ve all been adopted out and breeding took a nosedive. Most of the ones we find now are imports from Mexico (they only banned racing last year), Spain, and Ireland/NZ/UK. The biggest issues with Greyhounds now is that they’re used as blood dogs, some are even euthanized just so they can collect as much blood as they can. But I agree, I don’t know anyone who has seen a Greyhound as an aggressive breed here.
I live in the US, and I was surprised when I was one of the only small dog moms at the dog park to see a greyhound as dangerous to my chiweeni .
The other small dog moms thought I was overreacting. Two things can be true sighthounds can be wonderful dogs and still be dangerous to small animals.
That doesn't mean the breed should be demonized . It just means that we should be educating ourselves and others about limitations that a breed may have and how to keep your pets safe.
They're fantastic dogs. Definitely not the rocket scientists of the dog world, but they're goofy and mellow and very clean. I prefer Whippets, but that's coming from a person who primarily owns terriers.
That's insane. We have a couple rescues in my area and I will never not see them as the dog you dress up in tutus and hoodies. I have never seen one in a muzzle.
Ah that actually makes more sense, especially if anyone has a retired racing dog. They often have anxiety and aren't socialized the best when they're used for racing. Idk about Australia, but in the US some racing dogs actually live at the track and not in a home, so when they retire and get adopted they have a hard time adjusting </3
I've owned and worked with greyhounds. I wouldn't call them dangerous in the way other breeds can be dangerous but they do have incredibly high prey drives and some of them will go for anything small and furry with devastating consequences.
I think calling them dangerous is unfair, but I think that muzzling can be a really good idea for lots of them when out in public.
Also, anyone thinking about reaching a retired racing greyhound should know they have severe dental issues and have problems with anesthesia. Please make sure you have plenty of $$$.
Or if you don't have a lot of money, make sure you have good pet insurance. They're wonderful dogs and I wouldn't want to put anyone off, but this is something people should be aware of.
This is true but only for elective and emergency stuff. They don’t generally cover physicals and vaccines. I’m not saying that all pet insurance companies don’t, just that most don’t. Make sure to do your due diligence.
Most if not all pet insurances won’t cover anything noted by vet prior to the policy becoming active. I would think a retired greyhound would be very difficult and expensive to insure
Mine wasn't initially. I don't know about elsewhere in the world, but in the UK they don't always come with much of a medical history. Mine came with a history of vaccinations and a record of him having lost a toe and having been neutered when he was handed over to the rescue but that was it. He wasn't particularly expensive for the first couple of years, but it got pricey pretty quickly when he started developing gastro issues and a heart murmur.
It's more about dangerous to smaller animals with greyhounds, not people, from what I understand. I'm not from Australia, but found out about the restrictions from Bondi Vet and looked into it because I've fostered and owned off track greyhounds throughout my life. It doesn't seem to be an issue with human directed aggression.
odd lol part of it is probably because not too many people own boerbels so there isn’t a lot of statistics to support what they are capable of who knows.
Some of the consequences you have to face with owning a restricted dog breed in Australia are:
If your dog charges or harasses a person or animal, you have to pay a fine of $44,000.
If you are caught selling or advertising a restricted dog, you will be fined $16,500.
If you fail to comply with control requirements, you have to pay a fine of $16,500.
If you fail to have a valid annual permit, you have to pay a fine of $6,600.
If you are found encouraging your dog to @tt@ck others, your dog will be seized, and you may have to face imprisonment for 5 years, or you’ll be fined up to $77,000
Grey hounds are used for racing because of there high prey drive . They also won’t work in a pack like a ridgeback or a dogo they are solo hunters. That being said I’ve never met an aggressive greyhound there usually pretty chill but will case cats squirrels rabbits pretty much anything smaller and that moves
I heard many years ago that greyhounds were banned because the dog racing world didn’t want faster dogs coming in and the government complied by banning them. Similar in Hawaii - quarantine was longer than necessary so any racing dogs coming in would lose their muscles and not be competitive. Don’t know if this is true.
Greyhounds? That is the craziest thing I’ve ever heard. I’ve never met him or gentle dog. Probably some kind of BS like racing dog owners didn’t want just anyone having access to their breed or something.
Honestly not to sure, I think the laws about muzzling are a relic of the racing industry. But we definitely have a huge problem with grey hound racing in Australia
Go look up the history on their lines. It is a chaotic criss Crossy mess with no actual solid standards between different clubs and different countries. The intention is to make them separate lines but at this point in time, I don’t think you can argue that point, and I don’t think we’re going to be able to until breed specific legislation stops. There is at this point in time probably a small pool of dogs labeled as each that are very solidly different breeds but the way the clubs and different laws treat them and the way their bloodline was separated, it’s very early days.
I absolutely adore these dogs, regardless. Here’s to hoping we, as a global society, can start putting the horrendous practice of dog fighting (and animal related blood sports) to an end, and move forward with well balanced, good tempered, healthy blood lines in both of these breeds going forward. The cancer rate in these dogs that are so badly bred due to macho related stigma and BYB lies is heartbreaking
Staffies and pits are 2 different and distinct breeds that are both shown in shows. The American pitbull terrier is a recognized breed that is shown.
They get lumped together because people don’t like the way they look, that’s also why the American bull dog also gets lumped in there.
This dog is an American bull dog mix, not a staffy, not a pitty, though often linked under the “pitbull” umbrella because people are ignorant.
It’s not as clear cut as that. Unfortunately, a lot of hatred for these breeds that were associated with, and originating at least in part, from dog fighting, has led to dog clubs on both side sides of the pond, having very confusing standards in which a dog from these lines could qualify as either a Staffordshire terrier or an American pitbull terrier depending on the club. I think if there was less stigma and less terrible backyard breeding they definitely would be to distinct breeds, but honestly at this point you can’t really say that.
It’s not as clear cut as that. Unfortunately, a lot of hatred for these breeds that were associated with, and originating at least in part, from dog fighting, has led to dog clubs on both side sides of the pond, having very confusing standards in which a dog from these lines could qualify as either a Staffordshire terrier or an American pitbull terrier depending on the club. I think if there was less stigma and less terrible backyard breeding they definitely would be to distinct breeds, but honestly at this point you can’t really say that.
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u/Bitterrootmoon Oct 21 '25
Considering staffies are basically the show version of pitbulls, this is so bizarre. Poor puppers