Greyhound owners

[ChestnutGelding]

Hi i have never had a dog and am hoping to get a greyhound as my first dog. Just wondered if this is a wise choice and if they suit to a "horsey" lifestyle.
Also how are they to handle and train? My boyfriend has grown up with dogs so knows how to handle them so it wont quite be blind leading the blind.
Any info much apreciated, thanks in advance.

 

[CAYLA]

They do fantastic pets...can be a little stubborn to train as a little wooden at the best of times...esp x-racers....but they are pretty laid back will walk forever and sleep forever....they are fine with smaller/other animals when got from young....and pretty easy to intergrate when not...or atleast have been for me..lol
In general the x-racers will need to be kept on leads, but they rarely pull or act stupid, they are pretty quiet to walk out, and u barely feel them on the end of the lead

I have posted these pics a billion times...but here goes...a few x racers, a broken puppy and broke adult..lol

I loves these dogs and will always have them...I esp like whippetxgreyhounds

 

[lucylemon]

i dont have greyhounds but i have lurchers

they make great pets and if you got a greyhound from a rescue they have usually got some basic commands taught and some that get fostered are very good

my two love it down the stables, they keep away from the horses legs, run freely around the yard and in the arena, only problem is my two have a special relationship going with the dung heap

Ben: Bedlington Terrier X whippet X greyhound (we think)

Gracie: deerhound X

 

[Spot_the_Risk]

Mine is a small lurcher (actually 7/8ths Whippet), he's incredibly loving, walks to heel, fine around all animals, the only problem we had was if we took our eyes off him, he would be gone to find more interesting things to do! (Generally means hunting for rabbits or deer).

So when we're at the field, if we are doing things that mean we aren't paying attention to the dogs, he has to go in the car. If this would be a problem for you, consider a gundog instead, they are VERY biddable, and generally won't disappear.

 

[lowbardon]

greyhounds make brilliant pets i have one he is a retired racer, all he does is sleep all day he is very soft and playfull, good on the lead although he cant be let off the lead as he will not come back and he eats little things, but he gets on very well with other dogs, what ever you decide i would recomend a rescue greyhound they make exellent pets.

 

[whippet]

Greyhounds do make lovely pets, so loyal and loving, and total sofa hoggers

If you do decide to go for one though, go to a rescue....there are so many beautiful greys waiting for homes, and a good rescue will work hard to match you up with the right hound and will make sure you are mutually compatible....really important, cos obviously, by their nature, not all greyhounds will be suitable to be left to their own devices on the yard, but many do trit-trot about happily without any thought of galloping off into the sunset.

 

[ChestnutGelding]

Thanks everyone, I like the idea of homing an ex-racer. Ive got an ex-racehorse so why not an ex-racedog! I would ideally like to be able to go "walkies" whilst hacking so was hoping they could be trained to heel to horse. I suppoze it depends on the individual.
Thanks again

 

[Tiarella]

im getting an ex-racer soon too

they're so kind, and gentle, and cute < well all the ones i have met are. such good family pets!

 

[elsielouise]

I have two ex racers and to be honest, much as we love them they'll never be fantastic as yard dogs.

Ours are not very good at recall so we only let them off the lead in an enclosed space. They are also so delicate in terms of their skin and paws that they don't cope well with brambles and thorny things/stones on the ground/cold/hot/anything really that isn't cushioned.

I also worry about them getting kicked if they are in the field with my two mares as they sprint off for something in the distance and don't seem to notice if horses feet are flying about.
In fact, they are soooooo rubbish I bought myself a JRT to be my stable and playing with horses dog. They greys prefer to sit at home on the sofa.

Not saying they are all like this of course but mine are complete wusses!

 

[lowbardon]

i agree with elsielouise, my greyhound doesnt make the best yard dog he preferes to sleep and i couldnt let him run free he would either hurt himself or run away but he is a very good pet, very soft and loving

 

[fredthoroughbred]

I have two retired greyhounds and they are fabulous!! Pixie has come to work with me at every yard I have been at and he loves it. Millie comes with me too but gets soooo excited around the other dogs that it tires her out and then she snoozes for eternity haha...
You definitely should get a greyhound because they are in desperate need of new homes and make wonderful pets although they are a bit dopey sometimes but mine come back on command and thats all I want haha