GREYSPEAK
Pogo-ing: Bouncing/jumping up and down, over and over, in one place due to excitement. This is not the same as jumping up on people. They do it away from you. (Well, most of the time!)
Pogo-Dog: A dog who pogo's . . . a LOT!
Play-bow: Behind is in the air and forelegs are stretched out on the ground. Sometimes they'll sort of slap the ground with the forelegs. This is an invitation to play, or it can be a nice stretch after a nap in which case it is done much slower.
Cockroaching: (or Roaching): Lying on the back with all four legs in the air. Some say the legs must be perfectly straight, but I say 'poppycock-roach' to that!
Chip (or Chipping): No, not the kind you eat. Surely you've heard the old saying, 'Greyhounds are like potato chips, you can't have just one.' You haven't? Well you should have. Chipping is adopting another greyhound. You have room for just one more greyhound, don't you? Of course you do." To see our available dogs, click HERE!
Smiling: A greyhound's smile is rather unlike that of most other dogs. All dogs can smile, technically. But how many do you know that can actually grin? The act of smiling, or grinning, can actually be frightening to the uninitiated, but fear not! We aren't rabid, and we're not getting ready to rip anybody's throat out. It LOOKS like a snarl but it isn't. We pull our lips back, thus exposing our teeth, and...well...we SMILE! We're just letting you know how happy we are. For a mental image, think Jack Nicholson in "The Shining," or as the Joker from "Batman."
Eargasms: When rubbed just right, a greyhound will moan, groan and well, some of the boys will even get a wee bit excited, (see lipstick below) thus the term "eargasm". They dooooo like to have their ears rubbed.
Baboon Butt: Bare buns are what many greyhound behinds look like when they first come off of the track and when these bare buns are hauled in a truck in the winter on straw or hay, the dogs cheeks get all red and sore. This is 'baboon butt.'
Lipstick: Think of the particular anatomy of a male dog, ok, got that? Now, think of that same thing but in terms of a tube of red lipstick, with the lipstick sticking out of the tube . . . need I say more? This is common in un-neutered dogs right off the track or in response to intense stimuli, like ear rubs, see Eargasms above.
Tuck: This refers to the greyhound shape, very narrow around the waistline with a large chest and ribcage. The "tuck" or "tuck up" is the area just in front of the rear legs where the greyhound is the thinnest.
Roo: AKA howling, but with style and even harmony! Greyhounds will sing together, in four part harmony - get one started and a whole group will quickly follow suit if they are within ear shot!
Needle Nose: Have you ever actually looked at a greyhound profile? They have loooong, needle like noses, with a pointy end, all the better to greet you with. (see crotch rocket)
Crotch Rocket: In reference to the pointyness of greyhound noses, their most favorite place to put them while greeting you, is right in your . . . er - well, crotch, which can be quite surprising for guests who have never been greeted quite so intimately before <g>!
Cat safe: Is this obvious?
Nitting: A sign of affection. The dog's tiny front teeth are moved in a fast chomping motion against the beloved's skin. Varies from adorable to excruciating and probably won't produce a wearable sweater.
Nuticles: "Neuticles are...er..." Neuticles are prosthetic, er, 'boy parts,' for greyhounds that have been fixed. After all, we certainly don't want other boy dogs to think our boys are woosies or anything."
Countersurfing: Often a favorite indoor activity, next to sleeping or eating. Counter surfing is when a greyhound will reach up onto a counter (or other surface on which humans leave interesting tidbits) to either (a) steal something or (b) make sure there isn't anything there to steal. Because they are so tall, and have such long necks, this is a quite easy thing for them to do.
Bounceback (or Bounced): A dog that has been returned by its adopter. Often greyhounds that are "bounced" from their first home go on to find bliss in their second home. It has been discussed that some might just do it on purpose <g>.
Blue slip: A form you can send to the greyhound’s original owner to formally transfer ownership to you. For more information about how to request a blue slip, contact the NGA.
Yellow Slip or Bertillion: Official Registration Document provided by the NGA with the dogs complete description, owner at time of registration, tattoo numbers and markings all the way down to the toenails described. Also listed are the sire and dam, their parentage, and date of birth.
Helicoptering: What some greys' tails do when they're especially happy. (Move in a circular motion, instead of side-to-side.) Some do this so rapidly they break open the end of their tails hitting it on walls or other objects. This can cause bleeding, but is a minor injury if cared for properly.
Sighthound: Sighthounds are dogs of the Greyhound type which hunt game by sight. Their focus on distant objects is very sharp. Please note that they also have an excellent sense of smell, but not as highly developed as the scent hounds, such as the Bloodhound. Generally included in this group are the Greyhound, Saluki and other desert breeds, Ibizan, Pharoah, Whippet, Irish Wolfhound, Scottish Deerhound, Borzoi (Russian Wolfhound), Afghan Hound, Italian Greyhound, Rhodesian Ridgeback, and Lurcher. Some definitions also include the Basenji. But don't forget, Greyhounds are the fastest of all dogs."
Double Suspension Gallop: At high speeds, Greyhounds and some other sighthounds have two points at which all four feet are "suspended" in the air. One point is at the fully-extended stretch (or "bus" position). The other is when all four paws are closest together beneath the dog."
Forever home: Greyhounds that are retired and placed with adoption groups often times live the first part of their new lives in a foster home. This home volunteers their time to train the dog, feed them, care for them, nurse them and love them. The family that finally adopts that dog, is the "forever home" and the foster home is only a temporary one.
Gotcha Day: Adoption day. Some adoptive families celebrate this day just like a birthday. It is a good time for extra treats, pets and maybe a frosty paws or trip to Three Dog Bakery!