Dog owners go for greyhounds.

Byline: Jim Feehan The Register-Guard

Don Bradshaw of Eugene knows if he leaves the sofa during today's Super Bowl game, he'll lose his spot to his two greyhounds.

"Having to share the couch is probably the worst thing I can say about owning a greyhound," Bradshaw said of his adopted canines, Bailey and Annika.

Couch-hogging aside, the former racing dogs make exceptional pets. Greyhounds are gentle, calm and affectionate, Bradshaw said.

"They have a beautiful temperament," he said.

Bradshaw adopted the dogs from Homes for Hounds, a nonprofit Waldport greyhound adoption agency. Representatives from the rescue group held an adoption event Saturday at PetSmart, 2847 Chad Drive in Eugene.

The event continues from noon to 4 p.m. today.

Customers were greeted Saturday by Georgie, Amber and Black Top, who each wore singlets that read: Adopt me.

Amid a cacophony of chirping parakeets, barking dogs and screaming children, the greyhounds appeared unfazed.

Greyhounds make an ideal indoor pet, said Marjorie Beck, Homes for Hounds' Eugene coordinator and owner of two retired racers, Milly and Ursala.

They don't shed or bark much, she said. And the breed doesn't require as much exercise as many people think.

`Once or twice a week we go to the dog park so they can run, but other than that, they spend a lot of time snoozing on the couch," she said.

Because they're so swift, they can never be allowed off-leash except in a fenced area, Beck said.

"You can't possibly catch them - they run 45 mph," she said.

Contrary to popular belief, greyhounds are not hyperactive, said Tim Fox of Creswell, who adopted Mountain Buster, a former racing greyhound, 14 years ago.

"They're gentle and sweet around other dogs and people," he said.

Cats may have a little trouble adjusting to greyhounds, especially if they bolt, Fox said.

"Because cats are small and fuzzy, greyhounds think (cats) are rabbits they need to chase," he said.

Dog racing ended about a year ago in Portland, and a track outside of Post Falls, Idaho, closed in the early 1990s. Homes for Hounds receives greyhounds who have been retired from racetracks across the country, Beck said.

Michelle Camposi, a Eugene veterinary technician, has adopted two greyhounds and says they're the best breed in the world.

"They're low maintenance, but full of love," said Camposi, who has traveled cross-country with her dogs in an Airstream trailer.

BREED TRAITS

Some information to consider if you want to adopt a greyhound:

Life span: 12 to 14 years

Health challenges: Greyhounds are a healthy breed. Because of their racing careers, some retired greyhounds may have arthritis or race track injuries. Because of their thin coat and lack of body fat, they are susceptible to overheating and chilling, as well as cuts and scrapes.

Good with children: Most greyhounds love children and get along well with them.

Compatible with other dogs: Although they grow up only with other greyhounds, they usually get along well with other dog breeds.

Coexist with cats: Generally they do.

Why so skinny? Greyhounds are the dog kingdom's version of the runway model - they are supposed to be skinny. Being overweight is hard on greyhounds and may endanger their health. A greyhound can safely gain 5 pounds over its racing weight.

- Homes for Hounds