ABOUT GALGOS
The galgo is an ancient breed and a member of the sighthound family. Despite it’s similar appearance, it is not closely related to the English or American greyhound. Galgos have leaner musculature and more stamina for endurance running, and are either smooth or rough-coated in a wide variety of colors.
Galgos make fantastic pets! Like greyhounds, they have a mellow and friendly temperament. They have a slightly higher energy level than greyhounds and love to play with each other or other dogs. Unlike retired racing greyhounds, galgos are actually pretty good running buddies for people who have an active outdoorsy lifestyle. Having been trained to run for miles cross country in rough terrain, you don't have to "work them up to it" like you do with a greyhound. Galgos have a long average life span like greyhounds do; 12 - 14 years. Finally, because they are so similar to greyhounds in appearance and attitude, they fit seamlessly into a greyhound household!
In Spain, galgos are mainly used for hunting or coursing hare. During the annual hunting season (October to January) many live in dark sheds in excess numbers. They spend most of their days confined, neglected and barely fed because it is believed that a hungry dog hunts better. Once the season is over, galgueros (hunters who own the galgos) dispose of the dogs by hanging them from trees, throwing them into wells, beating and abandoning them or turning them in at killing stations, where most never have a chance at leaving alive. They do this so that they don't have to feed them in between hunting seasons, and also since they are allowed to breed at will there is always a ready supply of replacement dogs for the next hunting season. A very fine hunting dog may be allowed to live through two or three seasons before he is disposed of.
The excessive, uncontrolled breeding and mass abandonment of dogs at the end of every hunting season leaves a massive population of loose, starving and sick dogs. Associations like Scooby rescue and rehabilitate as many dogs as they can to give them a chance for a future. It is estimated that more than 50,000 galgos are killed every year.
At the end of hunting season, the Scooby shelter may house up to 600 dogs. On average, there are about 300-350 dogs at Scooby waiting to be adopted.
Galgos make fantastic pets! Like greyhounds, they have a mellow and friendly temperament. They have a slightly higher energy level than greyhounds and love to play with each other or other dogs. Unlike retired racing greyhounds, galgos are actually pretty good running buddies for people who have an active outdoorsy lifestyle. Having been trained to run for miles cross country in rough terrain, you don't have to "work them up to it" like you do with a greyhound. Galgos have a long average life span like greyhounds do; 12 - 14 years. Finally, because they are so similar to greyhounds in appearance and attitude, they fit seamlessly into a greyhound household!
In Spain, galgos are mainly used for hunting or coursing hare. During the annual hunting season (October to January) many live in dark sheds in excess numbers. They spend most of their days confined, neglected and barely fed because it is believed that a hungry dog hunts better. Once the season is over, galgueros (hunters who own the galgos) dispose of the dogs by hanging them from trees, throwing them into wells, beating and abandoning them or turning them in at killing stations, where most never have a chance at leaving alive. They do this so that they don't have to feed them in between hunting seasons, and also since they are allowed to breed at will there is always a ready supply of replacement dogs for the next hunting season. A very fine hunting dog may be allowed to live through two or three seasons before he is disposed of.
The excessive, uncontrolled breeding and mass abandonment of dogs at the end of every hunting season leaves a massive population of loose, starving and sick dogs. Associations like Scooby rescue and rehabilitate as many dogs as they can to give them a chance for a future. It is estimated that more than 50,000 galgos are killed every year.
At the end of hunting season, the Scooby shelter may house up to 600 dogs. On average, there are about 300-350 dogs at Scooby waiting to be adopted.
At Scooby, dogs often arrive looking like this....
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And soon are ready to be adopted into loving forever homes looking like this!
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