It’s a windy day up in the canyon and 4-year-old Nipper is barking away.
“There must be someone outside,” says Greg Louganis.
Seems life for the man who was once the world’s most celebrated diver has gone straight to the dogs–Jack Russell terriers to be specific.
It’s been about 14 years since Louganis put away his Speedo, but these days he has a new passion–canine sports, training and showing.
He discovered his natural talent with animals early on. “When I was growing up there was this white German Shepherd guard dog who would just bark and bark every time we went down to the bus stop,” recalls Louganis. “Over time, I befriended him and he learned to trust me. Soon he never barked at me anymore.”
Coupling his passion for training and showing dogs, Louganis also developed a sideline for placing dogs in homes.
“I was given a Great Dane for my birthday and had it for three years,” he explains. “But with the diving and traveling, I couldn’t care for her the way I wanted so I placed her with a family.”
Louganis vowed that when he retired from diving, he would get another Dane, which he did, and developed an interest in showing.
As a competitor, Louganis appreciates the grace, beauty and agility of various dog breeds. “I started going to the dog obedience ring and really learned a lot,” says Louganis.
The results were impressive. Louganis even trained a 185-pound Dane who was deaf using hand signals.
He’s also managed to place several other dogs. Most recently, he rescued a Scottish deerhound named Molly, just before she was about to be put down at a Camarillo pound.
“She was just so sweet,” says Louganis. “I know a larger dog has a difficult time getting adopted, but her temperament was wonderful, very trusting.”
Louganis knew a pal at Malibu Health and Fitness who was looking for a dog and pounced on the opportunity. “I asked him to come down to the shelter.”
The two hit it off and the happy hound was adopted that day.
Louganis knows that not all dogs are easy to place.
“I know how to look at a dog and know if it is going to be a personality match,” he explains. “If it is, you’ll have a friend for life.”
Another perfect match for Louganis was with a Portuguese water dog named Boogie. “He was a fine example of the breed.”
As it turned out, Boogie’s temperament proved excellent for human interaction and therapy. “I taught him some cute little tricks, like how to wave and roll over and bow. Soon he started going to convalescent homes and children’s hospitals for visits. He was so soft and gentle, he was a star.”
Instead of pet stores, which can have questionable standards, Louganis encourages prospective dog owners to go to a reputable breeder or look online for dogs who need homes. “Every breed has a rescue Web site,” he explains.
Over the years, Louganis has developed a special bond with his four-legged friends. “I’d rather work with animals than people,” he says. “They are so honest and eager to please, they have no hidden agenda and give unconditional love.”
Today Louganis and Nipper are working on the upcoming Grand Prix agility event, which takes place this September in Del Mar. Together, they’ll be in the spotlight once again.
So even though his diving days are behind him, this dedicated local champion has moved into a different arena where he continues to keep his competitive edge.