Greyhound owners - advice wanted please!

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Hi all

I'm looking for a bit of advice really.. I'm very keen to rehome a greyhound from the Clarks Farm rehabilitation centre for retired racing greyhounds towards the end of the year, but the thing is that I'm 6 months pregnant at the moment and all the information that I can find relating to the temperaments of greyhounds is somewhat contradictory!
Some books and websites say that they are the perfect family pets and adore being involved in family life, while others say that they are not suited to living with children - and I'm confused as to what the reality of it is!
All the greyhounds that I've ever met have had gorgeous natures, but I'm wondering if there is another side that I've not yet seen!

Any info or advice from seasoned greyhound people would be gratefully received!

Thanks x
 
Can't give any advice on greyhounds really, my husbands aunt has a rescued one and she's lovely really chilled. If it is your first baby I would have the baby first then the dog.
 
i have had 3 retired ones. they make lovely pets. the only thing i would say to you is they have lived in kennels where most of the time they sleep. they only race for approx 30 secs a week. they don't like a lot of noise. i had one that would get very distressed when my daughter would shout and cry and she was not a baby
 
We have 2 ex-racers from the Lincs greyhound trust, and they are brilliant dogs!
I've seen ex-racers living with children and babies, and all have been brilliant family dogs, not phased by anything...but obviously age and training play a part in that too.
I would thoroughly reccomend greyhounds to anybody!
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Here are a few pics of our two for you:

Macy (the poser!)
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Rayne (the shy one!)

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Sort of depends on your experience with dogs generally?

Greyhounds can make really lovely pets but they do need work to settle into their new home (most rescue dogs of any breed will). Most greyhounds have been kept in kennels and need to learn how to be a pet. Most other breed rescues are being rehomed because of a poor history/lack of understanding by first home. So I'm not sure any rescue organisation would recomend getting a dog just as you have (your first?) baby.

You need to speak to the kennels, I guess they might find one that is used to being in a home with small children - or can tell you if it's a definite no-go?
 
We Have 3 of them. All rehomed ex racing. They each have very individual personalities. The beige one just sleeps all day, preferably on a bed and wont get up to greet anyone until after 4pm. The grey one is very eifinitely my daughters dog, loves to play and the only one i've come across that could be trained to sit on command. The brindle/white one is very intelligent and wants to be wherever her people are.
They all share a love of comfortable beds, warm homes and cuddles. Dont need much exercise at all and have very placid temps.

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Would not be without our two!

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Me tired
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Very easy to look after, one thing I would say is get dog insurance mine has been a bit accident prone!

Hb
 
Well done you for deciding on a rescue grey
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A good rescue will take great care to match greyhound and new home, taking everything into account. While it won't be ideal for every dog (as with any breed), there are many greys and lurchers who are happily settled in homes with children.

Lots of general info (and greys needing homes!) here: www.greyhoundgap.org.uk

Good luck for when the time comes
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I agree with TimeFaulter - I have had 2 rescue greyhounds and they were like chalk and cheese. Jura, my brindle, is a complete couch potato and hardly stirs all day whilst Ellen, the black greyhound I had, was fun, active, into everything and a complete thief in the kitchen!

Not sure how they would be with babies as I don't have children, but I will be owning a rescue greyhound (if circumstances allow!) for the rest of my life, I love them to bits
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Hello!!

I have two retired greyhounds and they are the most placid, lovable, laid back snoozers I have ever known
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I'm at the opposite end of the spectrum because I don't want to have babies incase they upset my greyhounds. Pixie and Millie are so in love with my OH and myself I think they would be very emotional if our attention was to be diverted
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Even when I go up and spend the rest of my spare time with Fred the wonder thoroughbred Pixie and Millie give me dirty looks until they get a stroke or twenty.
If you can, get a greyhound as both of mine are brilliant with children and they are completely addictive dogs
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It is a very nice idea to adopt a retired greyhound, my husbands family train them so we have our own ex hurdler, hes been retired approx 18 months now and is a really lovely dog. I've got to say though and I really dont want to put you off but i actually dont trust our dog with my child, but not because hes nasty or anything like that, hes just far too fussy, he pulls snarly faces and lunges to lick at his face constantly, it also makes him really giddy when he screams or shouts. Im told hes not trying to bite or be aggressive but i personally dont like it so I dont have him in the house he has an acre of land at the back of our house to himself to roam in the day and has a nice warm kennel for overnite or rainy days. We play with him loads but still I just cant relax about them together, maybe when my sons older (currently only two).On the other hand Ive heard of loadsof people who have really laid back greyhounds, so like anything else im sure its each to theyre own.
 
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it also makes him really giddy when he screams or shouts.

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that was how mine were with screaming from children. mine were all my own that raced and came home when they retired so they knew me as we would go to the kennels and take them for a walk every sunday morning. they are quite clumsy though.
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I have 3 greys and would not hesitate to letting children be with them ... 2 are ex racers... a friend came round with a toddler a few weeks ago and they did a wonderful job of keeping the toddler entertained :-) they were lovely and gentle round him and when they were all lying around on the floor toddler did the same, using one as a pillow !!
 
my family has always had racing greyhounds and they are all very lovable but you do get the odd one that is not keen on children not in a bad way if you know what i mean they just seem to be wary of children but not in an aggresive sense.
most of them are laid back and just love to stroked and cuddled but some are more playful.
i would personally wait until you have had your baby and you are into a settled routine then you will be able to enjoy going for walks with your baby in the buggy and your new dog.
 
thats wonderful that your thinking of getting rescue greyhound there are so many out there which need loving homes.I have two whippets which are simular in temperment and have three children. I wouldnt be without them and they are great with children and they dont need as much exercise as people think just alot of loving care and comfy sofa to relax on
 
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