Greyhounds

[Walrus]

Right, am getting a bit ahead of myself having just sorted a job and now, this weekend, a car. I'm now daydreaming about one day owning not only a horse but also a dog and thought I'd do a little premature research.

I've heard lots of good things about greyhounds esp retired racing greyhounds. I've never owned a dog before but am not totally inept / unknowledgable (if that's a word). But I am concious that I will be out at work all day. I've heard greyhounds are nice natured and don't require the hours of exercise of some other more excitable / working type breeds.

So does anyone have them and work full time, how do you (and they) cope? Are they quite trainable (even for a relative numpty)? And would they be happy on their own or would 2 be better (now I am getting carried away!).

Like I said, mainly daydreaming at the moment but am interested in firsthand expereinces of them.

Thank you!

 

[FestiveSpirit]

Yep I've had rescue greyhounds/lurchers for about 10 years now, and have worked F/T all that time.....

Greyhounds are absolutely fabulous dogs to have as pets - they are quiet and clean around the house, do not need that much exercise relatively speaking (mine get two blasts of 20-30 mins a day at the livery yard, and that is enough for them) and love sleeping especially on sofas/chairs and human beds

I would definitely recommend getting two, so they can keep each other company whilst you are at work

As far as "trainable" is concerned, it depends what you mean by that really

Greyhounds are sighthounds and they will ALWAYS chase - there is absolutely no way you will ever train that instinct out of them

But they will also walk nicely on a lead without pulling, come when they are called (as long as there is not a rabbit in sight) and if the right greyhound is selected they can be safe with cats/rabbits/small children etc.

You may have some problems with rescue organisations since you work; I have got all mine from www.grwe.com, and the last couple of times the re-homing co-ordinator has said VERY grudgingly 'oh well I suppose we let you have one before....' Having said that the original home checker was fine with me & ex-husband having one from them, and we both worked f/t

A properly fenced garden is obviously vital, and it would help if you can pop home from work to let them out at lunchtime

Ummm.... cant think of anything else really, except to say you will not get a more rewarding breed to own

I would not consider any other breed now as I love them to bits (all regular All About Dog posters will now take the p**s out of me cos they know that

)

You need to be 100% honest with the rescue organisation about what you are looking for, and they will find you the right one. Dogs and bitches are just as affectionate as each other

Anything else just ask

 

[mattilda]

Splotchy is the resident greyhound expert and has 2. She will be more than happy to wax lyrical about her beloved hounds and give you all the info you need!

 

[mattilda]

Oooops! Told ya....she beat me to it!!

 

[FestiveSpirit]

[ QUOTE ]
Oooops! Told ya....she beat me to it!!

[/ QUOTE ]

See Walrus, I told you they were mean to me about my obsession

 

[Slinkyunicorn]

Take a look at Splotchy's latest photos posted the other day - they show exactly how your house will get taken over....

 

[Walrus]

Thank you Splotchy! They sound the sort of dog I'd be looking for and I definitely have a soft spot for that type of dog after meeting a lovely natured whippet when I was youger. As for the trainable I'm not talking anything too fancy but I don't have much experience so wont be aiming for anything too OTT and energetic esp with me working full time. Just the usual walk on a lead, polite in company and come to call (most of the time!) etc. Definitely a breed to consider when it comes to dog hunting in the future methinks!

 

[FestiveSpirit]

Well naturally I totally agree Walrus

They are always very 'polite' dogs as a rule, any aggression has been bred out of them a long time ago (cant have them fighting each other on the track rather than chasing the mechanical hare apparently

) so they sound just what you are looking for

I might advise not going for a younger one - Flick is 2 years old (which is young for a rescue, she didnt grow enough to race) and is like Tigger on speed most of the time - she makes me tired just looking at her

Generally they are about 3-4 years old as rescues and are lovely (well, Flick is lovely but you know what I mean

) - calmer perhaps would be a better word

Having said that they are both flat out fast asleep now as we went to Gatcombe today and they met lots and lots of people, horses and other dogs in the sunshine - bliss, they had a great time

 

[mrsbloggett]

Yup, got two greys myself and I work full time. They get half an hours run in the morning and a bit longer in the evening. Never had any trouble leaving them at home all day, in fact if I come home early they appear at the door looking a bit bleary eyed, go for a quick pee in the garden and then go back to bed until its 'proper' walk time.

Do be warned though, as Splotchy said, you lose all ownership of your sofas and beds!

 

[thh9jsp0]

greyhounds do make great pets! as has been said they do not need all that much exercise!

If you are going to be out all day i would advice getting 2, in racing kennels they are kept in pairs- usually a dog and a bitch or 2 bitches. however i can only let one of mine off the lead at a time, otherwise they head off into the sunset together!

When they come from racing they have no training- but usually house train etc pretty well. At the kennels we walk 4 at a time so they all have to be good on the leads!

with regards to getting one its always worth going straight to a greyhound trainer. Most kennels rehome the majority themselves. The RGT is set up to take in dogs from racing kennels but over the last 2 years for every dog we sent to the rgt we rehomed 7 ouselves! the trainer will know the dog far better having often bred it and will be able to tell you all of its history and match you up with the right personality.

good luck when you are ready to go for it and let us know what you get!

 

[thh9jsp0]

incidently all you with greyhounds have you looked your dogs ear markings up on greyhound-data.com ? if they have raced on a liscensed track there history and breeding will be on there!