Retired greyhounds

[StarFell]

Does anyone have a retired / rescued greyhound? I've heard they have really lovely temperaments and make great pets, is this true? Still haven't quite decided what type of dog to get and I like the idea of taking on a rescue instead of buying from a breeder, there are too many poor rescues who need homes

 

[_Acolyte_]

I currently have two, and have had three others in the past - they are fantastic dogs which make wonderful pets, I cannot recommend them highly enough

They are happy to do whatever you want them to do... I work full time so mine come to the yard with me before work, sleep all day whilst I am out, then come to the yard in the evening. They are real sprinters so do not need to be walked for hours, I usually end up giving mine about 20 minutes before they come back and say 'thanks mum but we have had enough'

Around the house they are clean, quiet, and easy to house train (as long as you apply common sense of course

) and as long as you specify to the rescue people you can have one which is safe with cats, young children, and even rabbits

I get mine through www.grwe.com, who are a fabulous organisation

If you have any specific questions do ask, as other HHOers know I am greyhound obsessed and will go on for hours about them

 

[StarFell]

Brilliant, they sound ideal for what I want, thank you

I've just bought my first house with my OH and we want a dog in a few months time so we've been having a good think, and greyhounds are the first breed we've agreed we both like!

The only thing that worried me a bit, do they have a really strong "chasing" instinct when they stop racing? Are they hard to get back when they decide to go after something? Can you let yours off the lead?

 

[_Acolyte_]

Mine both are let off the lead daily, as I exercise them at the yard mostly

They will always have a chasing instinct of course as obviously it is what they are bred to do (like all sight hounds) but I have only had problems with one of mine ever, who had an incredibly strong hunting instinct. All the others have been fine, come to call/whistle etc

You do of course need to avoid situations which might potentially cause problems

I always always avoid exercising my two when there are horses cantering around the field we walk in, or small dogs (especially small fluffy ones!) or cats (my two are not cat safe!) But the rescue organisation should give you a muzzle when they re-home the dog to you, so that can be used to make 100% sure that you do not have any 'incidents' when out walking

 

[StarFell]

Oh thats good

I'm not really a "cat person" so that wouldn't be a problem unless we come across one on a walk. I've fallen in love with a couple on that site already

 

[_Acolyte_]

LOL - which ones? I know some background about some of them

 

[StarFell]

I really like the look of Ash, Annie, Ruby (spotty one) and Hamish

 

[_Acolyte_]

Ah not the ones I know anything more about unfortunately, but DO have Hamish, he looks gorgeous and I cannot understand why he hasnt been taken

I want to give him a home myself, but I have to wait for my latest one to settle in properly first

BTW my latest one is also a spotty type.... this is Flick:

and my other gorgeous greyhound Islay:

 

[StarFell]

Your two are beautiful! How old are they? Hamish was the one that caught my eye first, I'll have to speak to my boyfriend later

He might be gone by the time I can take one though.

 

[_Acolyte_]

Islay (the black one) is 5 years old now - that is the 'average' age you get them from rescue, as they have usually finished their racing careers around that time (unless they have suffered an injury or something). It is great fun getting a new greyhound, Islay has won races

But then she seemed to lose form, so she was rehomed (lucky me!)

Flick (splotchy one) is only just two, as she is too small to ever have raced - she is tattooed etc so was bred to race, but was taken in by a pound as a starvation case last summer so obviously just didnt grow enough so she was dumped

I've also had Talisker (who was a lurcher not a pure greyhound) from GRWE, I lost him last December with cancer of the gut

Jura, who was an ex-brood bitch from Ireland, who I lost last April...

And finally Ellen, who lost a leg due to a localised bacterial infection whilst we owned her - we were very unsure about having a tripod but I wouldnt hesitate again, she never missed the leg and raced around as quickly without it as she had done before

She was the one with the hunting instinct (even when she had 3 legs

) so we ended up keeping her on a lead - she really didnt mind, and raced around the garden with our others to get her fun! She had to be re-homed when my ex-husband and I split, I was devastated

 

[StarFell]

They were all stunning, Talisker had the most gorgeous eyes! You've definately persuaded me, I'll let you know when I get my greyhound

 

[_Acolyte_]

Oh do, and make sure you post pictures too

I am just watching Flick at the moment who is having a 'mad greyhound moment' rolling around on her back on the living room carpet.... sometimes they are completely nuts, but so much fun and so sweet

 

[CAYLA]

Talk about hogging a post

she has an unhealthy obsession with GH's...... u know...that Acoltye

Agree though, they are fab natured, easy going, bed huggers

 

[_Acolyte_]

[ QUOTE ]
Talk about hogging a post

she has an unhealthy obsession with GH's...... u know...that Acoltye

Agree though, they are fab natured, easy going, bed huggers

[/ QUOTE ]

Sorry O Great One

Havent seen you about for ages hope all is OK with you

And yes.... my name is Acolyte and I have an unhealthy obsession with greyhounds and a little bay TB called Bob

But I am NOT ashamed

 

[CAYLA]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Talk about hogging a post

she has an unhealthy obsession with GH's...... u know...that Acoltye

Agree though, they are fab natured, easy going, bed huggers

[/ QUOTE ]

Sorry O Great One

Havent seen you about for ages hope all is OK with you

And yes.... my name is Acolyte and I have an unhealthy obsession with greyhounds and a little bay TB called Bob

But I am NOT ashamed

[/ QUOTE ]

Im ok, been reading your book, u must tell the OP about your "Great Greyhound training" by Acolyte

 

[whizzer]

Ohh would def recommend getting a greyhound! They are the most wonderful dogs.
Mine is beautiful,gentle but a fairly quirky character.
Want a 2nd one but as already have 2 dogs cannot have 3rd due to time/money.
I do let mine off regularly(in secure area) but TBH once he's let off steam he's exhausted & wants to go home for a nice long sleep!
He isn't cat friendly at all but as long as you're aware that is a possibillity with most greys then def def get one.
Let us know how you get on,happy dog hunting.

 

[mrsbloggett]

I'm 'mum' to two ex-racers and I can't extol them highly enough. Both of our girls adapted to retirement and home life very easily and are a delight. Mel is quiet and in contrast DeeDee is a hooligan! - they compliment each other perfectly.

They are content with a couple of half hour walks a day and happy to snooze the day away whilst we are at work. They like to go for longer walks at the weekends, but if you like to walk for hours, a greyhound isn't for you!

Contray to popular opinion that greys & small furies don't mix, our two live with a cat and until recently 5 pet rats. I can let them both off the lead, mel has good recall, but DeeDee can go 'deaf' when it suits. I'm just mindful of where I let them run free. Both are excellent with horses, infact they love cantering along side when out on hacks.

Greyhound rehoming kennels are very good at matching adopters & hounds and are very helpful post adoption if needed.