Grey hounds

[stacey_lou]

To all grey hound owners, thinking of rehoming an ex racer giving it a loving home as both OH and I love them.

How big a home does a grey hound need as they are large dogs? Obviously it would be walked everyday with trips out with us to the stables and we live on the edge of a large forest so no loss In opportunity for new places to walk and run about.

Last question from experience how are they with chickens? Do they feel the need to chase them?

 

[Alec Swan]

You'd be staggered by just how little actual "space" a greyhound needs. They can be, and generally are, the most amenable of dogs, house training is generally in place, even for those which have been kennelled, and they are perhaps the least demanding of all dogs.

Given their freedom, some will take a little while to hear your whistle, or learn their name! The grandest of dogs, for all that.

Alec.

 

[stacey_lou]

Thank you, that is interesting. I had herd that were very laid back n the home. Looking at adoption at the moment, very excited to offer a dog which perhaps has had a very hard start to life the life of cuddles and luxuary.

 

[LD&S]

We got a greyhound three weeks ago and though only 2yrs he is very laid back and generally calm and quiet but we've found Nutty needs a lot of floor space, he does like to spread himself out.

 

[{97702}]

I had 4 greyhounds when I lived in a mobile home A bit extreme, but it does prove that they dont need a lot of space Now I live in a much bigger bungalow the dogs dont know what to do with themselves

As for them being large dogs, that isnt always the case - my current four range from 21" at the shoulder to 30" at the shoulder so there can be a huge variety in size They are THE most laid back, easy dogs you can imagine to have around, I have had them for about 13 years now and would never have another breed.

Some greyhounds will be fine with chickens, others won't, unfortunately it is impossible to say. I would go to one of the bigger rescue charities (I work with www.grwe.com) as they take the time to match you and your circumstances to the right dog. It might mean waiting slightly longer for the 'right' one but it is well worth it

If you have any questions then I am happy to ask, I can talk greyhounds all day lol And the best news is always when I get an e-mail like I did this weekend, where a couple I spoke to on a collection/awareness raising day have just adopted their first greyhound

 

[Dexter]

Bone idle is the word your lookinf for I have 2 lurchers with very high % whippet and they are amazing! Will go out for 6 hours up the hills, or if its raining, do 20mins galloping on the field. They sleep 20 hours a day, no word of a lie, 20hours, sometimes more! They are bright, incredibly loving, brilliant with kids, my 2 cats and ALL people without exception.

My young dog was very difficult to start with, but he was screwed up before I got him He is proving to be the dog of a lifetime though, and I value him above anything else.

He races as well, and still lives with cats He does have a very strong prey drive, but as he approaches the 18month mark is maturing and settling.
He will have a season rabbiting next year, we are just about to start flyball and I'm thinking about agility as well.

The downsides are hes cheeky, he does get selective hearing sometimes, all training must be made worth while and done on his terms or else he just doesnt want to know! He was very, very thin and worried me to death until I discovered raw feeding. He is now 21 TTS and weighs nearly 16kgs, hes a little powerhouse of muscle as I treat him like a TB eventer and keep him incredibly fit and well fed. He is not the sort of dog to lay on the floor, he expects comfort at all times!

The plus sides are his loving nature, the fact that so long as I walk him he sleeps all day, he curls up smaller than a cat. He loves walking, but not in bad weather, so on days when you dont want to be out for hours neither does he He literally makes my heart sing when I see him run, nothing compares to a sighthound at top speed. He races, hunts, goes to fly ball etc, gives it all 110% then comes home, curls upon my lap and gazes adoringly into my eyes, then sleeps for 20 hours

I would never be without a sight hound of some description now. I'll stop now as I could go on all day! But I def recommend them to anyone. My 2 are just greyhounds in a smaller packages!

PS. 1 is never enough

 

[stacey_lou]

Thank you for replies, I have worked kennels in the past and RSPCA so understand training, I trained our two i door cats so for that side I would say I was switched on though always welcome a new challenge.

Found a lovely lurcher for rehoming locally and a lovely brindle at a racing kennels not too far from me. Would love to try agility a friend of my mums does it with kennel club so with the horse and dog ill be kept on my toes.

Our chickens are switched on so as long as we Introduce them one would think they'd soon become used to one another.