Greyhound re-homing

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pagancluf

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I have been thinking of having an ex racing greyhound for a pet - has any one any experiences of this and the good and bad sides to home life. We would prob have a border collie too - a bitch and a dog combination (with greyhound). Try and buy them at the same time so they will settle in together.
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May not be able to be off lead - particularly where there is something small and fluffy that will run away (small dog/cat), get chased and killed. Also easily distracted and will run in front of a car to chase something that's moved.

Think this is a standard sighthound thing to do.
 
i have had three retired greyhounds (we used to race them) they are very lazy and make the best pets . 2 of them were fine with my little yorkie and did not mind cats. i used to let them of the lead and they were fine 1 off them never had a lead as he walked by my side. the other was completely different hated my little dog tried to kill the cat . be prepared that they will make a track around your garden as they still run in a lap they never forget. the best thing to do is go to the retired greyhound trust rehoming centre and they have assessed them already and will tell you there likes and dislikes. remember they have lived in a kennel for up to 5y are not housetrained and don't know when children scream and cry.
but they are the best pet ever. i lost all three of mine within 6months of each other they looked out for each other.
 
We get rescue greyhounds in all the time...they do make fantastic pets...our are all used to dogs/cats by the time they are re-homed.....some are ok off lead...some need to be muzzled/let off in secluded area...due to the chase instinct.
over all they make fantastic pets
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We have a retired greyhound, hes really lovely. Some appear to be more laid back than others, mines not, he's very active but really really nice. Hes great on the lead but crap off it and doesn't know his name, either that or has selective hearing. Cant say i've ever seen him chase rabbits, but then again the ones in my paddock arnt flourecent orange
 
I've got two retired grey and they are FANTASTIC. Although to be fair if you want somthing that jumps around madly all day they simply wouldn't do. Mostly mine are to be found snoozing on a cushion... they wake up to eat

ETA - mine have been great with my JRT pup and let her jump all over them. They can be let loose in a contained area and LOVE running in the outdoor school. I wouldn't let on of them off the lead outside an enclosed space but the other is OK for short bursts. have to watch she doesn't see anything to chase.

Mine are also good with kids but I think someone else has said here, the retirement homes are very good at showing you suitable ones as long as you tell them about your personal circumstances.

Downsides to mine.... mmmm wrecked garden
 
Up to last year I had 4 - 2 pure greyhounds, 2 lurchers - from Greyhound Rescue West of England. Had to re-home two due my divorce.

They are fantastic dogs to have around, but you can't really generalise on what they are like as mine were/are all like chalk & cheese! Jura, my brindle greyhound, is 10 or 11 now and has always been completely sedentary, never breaks out of a trot on a walk and sleeps on the sofa all day every day. Ellen, the little black greyhound we had to rehome, was gorgeous but mad as a hatter, loads of fun to be with, on the go all the time, very affectionate (Jura is quite stand-offish with people) and very fast even after she had had a leg amputated! We couldn't ever let her off the lead, she just disappeared instantly, but she was v happy with walks on leads and games in the garden.

The lurchers were completely different and I personally wouldn't have another one, but I wouldn't be without a greyhound ever again. As someone has already said, describe your circumstances to the rescue people and they will find a dog with a character to fit your needs.

The downsides? Not many to be honest. Some greyhounds have been strays, so eat anything and everything (Ellen was always like this) whereas Jura is a fussy madam who I have to tempt to eat all the time. They will chase - although GRWE test them to see if they are 'cat safe' - and I used to muzzle mine when they were younger on walks just to be on the safe side. They will kill things - a pigeon, a chicken, if given the chance a cat - but then so will any dog. Do go for it if you can, greyhounds are great and they are the most deserving breed I know for a good home .

Sorry, I'm off my soapbox now
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Thanks everyone - sorry for delay in replying but just settling in a border collie bitch - rescue at 4mths old bless her - still on lookout for greyhound tho for a brother...
 
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