Kennel 23 - Sponsored by WSS Associates Ltd

Race name -  Mustang Highway

Pet name - Wilson

Colour -  Black

Sex -   Male

Born -  14th March 2020

Arrival date -  11th December 2023

January 2026

We really thought 2025 was going to be Wilson’s year. He had people interested in him at the end of the year and has been reserved twice. His first potential home fell through and unfortunately his most recent reservation the potential adopter fell ill. That potential adopter though is still hopeful of taking him on with her other hound when she’s feeling better. For now, he is back up for homing. Fingers crossed for him that this is his year.

Not much has really changed with Wilson since our last update. He is doing better with his reaction to other breeds of dogs and with his strength on the lead, thanks to the work our dog walkers have put in with him. Wilson will be turning 6 years old in March so he’s going to be hitting that sticky age where adopters would prefer a younger dog. 6yrs old is typically a sensible age and a good age to pick if you have children in the family. Although middle age for a greyhound they are usually much calmer and settled into their personalities.

The only other change for Wilson is that he has developed seasonal allergies in the Autumn. The allergies usually last for around a month effecting around his eyes, nose and occasionally his inner ear. However, usually a 2-week course of steroids for his face and a 10-day course of antibiotic ear drops for his ears usually sorts it out until the following Autumn. We’ve not yet worked out what causes the seasonal allergies but the medication he is given is inexpensive and only needs to be given for a short period of time.

When you partner his seasonal allergies together with a high prey drive, a tendency to be strong on the lead, his hock that causes him to limp restricting his exercise and then add in his high intelligence. It all leads to him being last on peoples list to look at. The cost of potential future vet bills due to his hock and allergies can be enough to put some people off even considering him.

Wilson is a very intelligent boy and as he is restricted on how long he can walk for (30 – 45 minutes max); he may be an ideal candidate for puzzle games to keep him busy or even teaching him how to talk with Dog Buttons for communication. He is quite cheeky and has taught himself how to open his kennel door to let himself out**. If he thinks he is missing out on a walk he jingles the catch - now kept on his door permanently- so that he’s not forgotten. Whilst he is a strong dog on the lead, he is one of our regular walkers’ favourites to take out.

Wilson is also quite playful so will suit a home with a greyhound girl to play with; he has been fantastic with the girls he has shared kennel space with. With his own breed he is quite an adaptable dog but could also live as an only pet. He is an incredibly friendly and gentle boy. He loves a fuss and has been very happy to meet young children (as young as two years old), so we think he’d be a lovely family pet. He travels well in the car so although walks will need to be shortened, he will happily travel to new places to investigate.

Wilson is a delight to have in the kennel. He is spotlessly clean and well mannered. He is a happy boy who loves everyone and has a cheeky side to him. Anyone would be lucky to have this boy in their home.

We would really love to see Wilson in a permanent home enjoying all the comforts that provides. We are aware that homing is generally slow UK wide and that large black dogs with Wilson’s quirks are difficult to home. We really believe that in the home Wilson is going to be one of the easiest dogs. Yes, there will be some outside challenges, but he is intelligent enough to learn with some guidance and support of his forever family.

Surely its Wilson’s turn next?

**Due to Wilson’s prey-drive and intelligence any potential adopter may be subject to a physical home visit as well as our virtual home visit and other pre-adoption checks.

March 2025

Wilson (Mustang Highway) is one of our long stay dogs having been with the Trust since April 2023. First with Greyhound Trust Hall Green and since December 2023 with us at Greyhound Trust Harvel. In April 2025 it will be 2 years since he entered retirement kennels looking for his forever home. Wilson turns 5 years old in March so still a young dog but it gets him closer to that sticky age where adopters would prefer a younger dog so they can have longer with them. 

Wilson has two big setbacks for why he has been with the Trust for so long waiting for a home. 

1. He is strong on the lead with a high prey drive. With some training and socialisation, he will get better on the lead.

2. He retired from a broken hock, and it didn't heal as well as it should do which has left him with a limp. His leg only bothers him if he has done too much exercise and after a day’s rest, he is fine.

Wilson is a very intelligent boy and as he is restricted on how long he can walk for (30 – 45 minutes max); he will be an ideal candidate for puzzle games to keep him busy or even teaching him how to talk with Dog Buttons for communication. He is quite cheeky and has taught himself how to open his kennel door to let himself out. If he thinks he is missing out on a walk he jingles the catch - now kept on his door- so that he’s not forgotten. Whilst he is a strong dog on the lead, he is one of our regular walkers’ favourites to take out. 

Wilson is also quite playful so will suit a home with a greyhound girl to play with, he has been fantastic with the girls he has shared kennel space with. With his own breed he is quite an adaptable dog and could also live as an only pet. He has potential to live with male greyhounds depending on the other dog’s temperament, he currently has a little bromance going with our other long stay boys Dizzy and Jake. 

He is an incredibly friendly and gentle boy. He loves a fuss and has been very happy to meet young children, so we think he’d be a lovely family pet. He travels well in the car so although walks will need to be shortened, he will happily travel to new places to investigate. 

Wilson is a delight to have in the kennel. He is spotlessly clean and well mannered. He is a happy boy who loves everyone and has a cheeky side to him. Anyone would be lucky to have this boy in their home.

A volunteer from Greyhound Trust Hall Green recently bought him a K9 Dog bed for him to have with him in the kennels. Now he’s gotten used to his new bed he likes to snuggle in a corner with his pillow. The boy does like having a pillow to rest his head on!

We would really love to see Wilson in a home enjoying all the comforts that provides. We are aware that homing is generally slow UK wide and that large black dogs are the more difficult to home. Throw in Wilsons prey drive and uninsurable rear leg and we know people would prefer to look at easier options. We really believe in the home Wilson is going to be one of the easiest dogs. Yes, there will be some outside challenges, but he is intelligent enough to learn with some guidance and support of his forever family. 

With 2 of our 5 long stayers finding their forever homes, surely its Wilson’s turn next?

You can visit Wilson at Greyhound Trust Harvel. We are located in the small village of Harvel in Kent near to Gravesend and Meopham.

Website: greyhoundtrustharvel.co.uk

Email: harvel@greyhoundtrust.org.uk

Facebook: Greyhound Trust Harvel – Croftview Kennel

Address: Greyhound Trust Harvel, Croftview Kennels, White Horse Lane, Harvel, Kent, DA13 0UE

Telephone: 01474 815273

Opening times: Monday – Closed

Tuesday to Saturday – 11am to 3pm

Sunday – 11am to 2pm

11/06/2024

Wilson is one of our long stay dogs having been with the Trust since April 2023. First with Greyhound Trust Hall Green and since December 2023 with us at Greyhound Trust Harvel . He is only 4 years old so still a young dog. Wilson has two big set backs for why he has been with the Trust for so long waiting for a home. Number 1 is he is strong on the lead with a high prey drive and Number 2 is that he retired from a broken hock and it didn't heal as well as it should do which has left him with a limp. With some training and socialisation, he will get better on the lead. His leg only bothers him if he has done too much exercise and after a days rest he is fine.

Wilson is a very intelligent boy and as he is restricted on how long he can walk for, he will be an ideal candidate for puzzle games to keep him busy or even teaching him how to talk with Dog Buttons for communication. He is also quite playful so will suit a home with a greyhound girl to play with or as an only pet. He is an incredibly friendly and gentle boy. He loves a fuss and has been very happy to meet young children so we think he’d be a lovely family pet. He travels well in the car so although walks will need to be shortened he will happily travel to new places to investigate. 

He is a happy boy who loves everyone and has a really cheeky side to him. Anyone would be lucky to have this boy in their home.

Here's what the other branch had to say

He’s an incredibly friendly, gentle boy too. He loves a fuss and has been very happy to meet young children so we think he’d be a lovely family pet.

He may be best suited to a more experienced owner due to his strength when walking but he’s quite manageable and will probably settle down with someone who can show him the ropes in his retirement.

Wilson is happily sharing his kennel with a female hound (she’s the boss!) so he could be a companion for an existing hound.