Tell me about Greyhounds?

Kitei

Well-Known Member
Joined
16 October 2013
Messages
250
Visit site
Was chatting to the OH the other day about the future, and having a dog came up. This won't be for a few years, at least, as we won't have a garden until we look into getting our own house, and we both (currently) are out between 8.30-5.30, but it got me wondering. One of the directors at work has a greyhound, and she often spends the day keeping us company, and it just got me wondering what they're like, really. I've known a few, and they've all been very sweet and fairly placid dogs. My lurcher was probably the nicest dog I've known.

OH isn't hugely fond of bouncy and super-high energy; he finds my lab a bit much to deal with, truthfully, as though she's quite well trained, she's still very young and high energy. Don't mind a big dog in the slightest, and quite happy to go walking for hours.

Basically, what are they like to own, and what sort of home would they suit?
We'd probably be looking at taking one on from a rescue, so also interested in anything that might be likely to pop up with a rescue?

I know it's a way in the future, but I like time to mull things over. :p
 

{97702}

...
Joined
9 July 2012
Messages
14,849
Visit site
Ha ha read my post from earlier this evening - they are accident prone monsters :D

In all seriousness, you cannot ask for a better dog to own. They are gentle, quiet, relaxed, easy going, they sleep a lot, they will take as much or as little exercise as you want to give them, they are clean, they don't bark, they are fun to have around and will interact/play if you want them to, and I would never want to own any other breed :)
 

Suelin

Well-Known Member
Joined
27 January 2008
Messages
1,406
Visit site
Lévrier;13029684 said:
Ha ha read my post from earlier this evening - they are accident prone monsters :D

In all seriousness, you cannot ask for a better dog to own. They are gentle, quiet, relaxed, easy going, they sleep a lot, they will take as much or as little exercise as you want to give them, they are clean, they don't bark, they are fun to have around and will interact/play if you want them to, and I would never want to own any other breed :)


Agree wholeheartedly. Wonderful dogs.
 

leflynn

Well-Known Member
Joined
13 September 2010
Messages
2,784
Location
Oop Norf
Visit site
Fantastic! Chilled out lovely characters that are easy to do, love kids, mine adores people more than other non greyhounds and he is such a lovely character. He is happy to do as much or as little as you like and loves the pub (lots of cuddle opportunity). Mine seems to be not so accident prone as others thankfully, but if he catches himself you would think he had chopped all 4 legs off (big wuss).

They also have the most hilarious sleeping positions and don't half make you laugh!
 

Alec Swan

Well-Known Member
Joined
20 October 2009
Messages
21,080
Location
Norfolk.
Visit site
…….. . Wonderful dogs.

I agree with you.

A question for those on here who keep retired greyhounds and also have experience of horses; Would you confine a TB taken out of training and keep it in a stable, taking it out, every day, and for a half hour walk, in hand? Are dogs which are bred for one single purpose, really best served by such constraints?

Alec.
 

{97702}

...
Joined
9 July 2012
Messages
14,849
Visit site
I agree with you.

A question for those on here who keep retired greyhounds and also have experience of horses; Would you confine a TB taken out of training and keep it in a stable, taking it out, every day, and for a half hour walk, in hand? Are dogs which are bred for one single purpose, really best served by such constraints?

Alec.

No I wouldn't/don't keep my ex-racing TB in that way, nor do I keep my ex-racing greyhounds that way. It is also a totally unrealistic comparison - greyhounds do not have anything like the temperament of a TB for a start....secondly greyhounds in training are very used to being walked out on a lead, with quick bursts of exertion on the track, that is why they all walk so nicely on the lead when re-homed.... I could go on.

You apparently keep making this comparison whilst having no idea about the temperament and requirements of ex-racing greyhounds - I would recommend you meet a few to illustrate why the point you are apparently trying to make is so facile
 

Alec Swan

Well-Known Member
Joined
20 October 2009
Messages
21,080
Location
Norfolk.
Visit site
You seem to have abandoned your 'ignore user' sig. A Pity.

I haven't had 8 retired greyhounds over the years, as you claim, but I have bred and schooled a Barbican Cup winner, I've been entrusted with the ownership of a Waterloo Cup winner, and have worked for and been mentored by perhaps the most skilled and committed of coursing greyhound trainers. Over a 30 year period, I trained and owned a great many greyhounds. Perhaps I lack your knowledge and understanding of the specific needs of the greyhound.

I would recommend that you consider the meaning of the word 'facile'! You may allow your dogs to extend and gallop as they are intended, and allow them the freedom to express themselves, but I can assure you that the bulk of those greyhounds which are kept as pets, never again leave the confines of a dog lead, until the day that they die. Of course the new owners feel better about themselves, but what of the animal's well being, is that taken in to consideration? Not by the many who I see.

Alec.
 

{97702}

...
Joined
9 July 2012
Messages
14,849
Visit site
As anyone who knows sight hounds knows, racing strains of the breed are conpletely different in temperament to coursing strains - I started out with whippets, and my show-bred one was chalk and cheese with my coursing bred one, the same applies to greyhounds. Your "credentials" are therefore meaningless when considering the re-homing of ex-racing greyhounds which you were specifically asking about. I have extensive experience on that particular subject, what a pity you are too puerile to acknowledge that someone else might have a greater knowledge than you on a subject.

And as regards the use of the word 'facile' it was used entirely appropriately in the context, I would recommend a Google search if you are confused about the meaning of the word.
 

leflynn

Well-Known Member
Joined
13 September 2010
Messages
2,784
Location
Oop Norf
Visit site
I know TB's that are happy stabled 24/7, I know TB's that are not. I know Greyhounds that are happy to do nothing but live in a house and I know Greys that are happy to be outdoors doing things all the time. You can't generalise based on breed, animals like people are all different and like different things/situations.
I do agree that all the racing greyhounds I know and have known are pretty happy as long as once retired (or racing still) they have a comfy place to plonk their bots 24/7 (for the record my Grandma bred and raced greyhounds in the NE. I also know that if my greyhound were to get off the lead (again) I doubt I'd see him again, he has little recall and his instinct to run and hunt are greater than his need to listen to me, is it better for him to be 'set free' than to live his live hanging out with me going for walks on a lead and running round the garden?
 

Alec Swan

Well-Known Member
Joined
20 October 2009
Messages
21,080
Location
Norfolk.
Visit site
…….. , he has little recall and his instinct to run and hunt are greater than his need to listen to me, is it better for him to be 'set free' than to live his live hanging out with me going for walks on a lead and running round the garden?

That's a decision for you the owner to take.

Alec.
 

Leo Walker

Well-Known Member
Joined
19 July 2013
Messages
12,384
Location
Northampton
Visit site
I can assure you that the bulk of those greyhounds which are kept as pets, never again leave the confines of a dog lead, until the day that they die. Of course the new owners feel better about themselves, but what of the animal's well being, is that taken in to consideration? Not by the many who I see.

Alec.

I have a working bred whippet. His mother raced and dad wasnt registered, and probably had a bit of something else in him. Hes a working dog through and through and in all honesty its a bit of a waste he ended up in a pet home. I've had silly money offers from people who wanted to work and/or race him. I dont work him, but I do spend a lot of time making him think he is working, including racing him whenever I get the opportunity, flirt poling him, swimming him, he goes jogging with my OH, does agility training, has been taught to retrieve out of water etc, etc. Hes unbeatable lure racing when hes on form and has a phenomenal drive to work and to run. We've just channeled it.

He would never be happy with 30 min lead walks everyday. He HAS to run on a regular basis or he starts to be a flaming nuisance!

I have a friend who rehabs greyhounds off the track and rehomes them with people. One of the first thing she does is get them to recall and be ok off lead.

I know where I am there is a greyhound group that have clubbed together and got hold of a field and dog proofed it. They all go at least once a week and the dogs get to be off lead.

I dont think everyone just ambles them about on the end of a lead for 30 mins, a least I really hope not!
 

{97702}

...
Joined
9 July 2012
Messages
14,849
Visit site
I don't think I have ever seen a greyhound being walked off the lead! I assume they are, maybe just not in public.

You have hit the nail on the head there - you would think mine were never off the lead either as I always put them on the lead as soon as I see another person :) there are plenty of groups on FB etc where people get together to walk their hounds off the lead, find enclosed spaces to let them off if their recall isn't good etc :)
 

Annette4

Well-Known Member
Joined
26 May 2008
Messages
4,393
Location
Shropshire
Visit site
I walk regularly with a group of sighthound owners, we most walk on lead as there are some reactive dogs etc. Those of us with smaller hounds with good recall tend to carry on the walk afterwards and find somewhere for them to zoom. Those without good recall rent a field and indoor arena and have off lead sessions once a week for them to zoom, play and socialise. There is also a very securely fenced area where we meet for walks that is used on a daily basis by the 4 people who have zero recall so the dogs can explore and stretch there legs.

They all do several walks a day, engage in other activities be it flyball, agility, games at home, off lead runs in secure places. The only dog we walk with who is confined to short on lead walks is my elderly corgi who refuses the walk more than 15 -20 mins and remains on lead as he has a tendency to turn around and go home when he's fed up (a habit only picked up very recently as he's got a bit stiff)
 

Love_my_Lurcher

Well-Known Member
Joined
31 October 2012
Messages
144
Location
Livingston
Visit site
I have got both a a Lurcher (Greyhound x Collie) and a Greyhound. Well it was actually my Mum and I who adopted them. Our Lurcher (Brochan) was very quick to settle in and had been toilet trained. But it did take our Greyhound (Neamhnaid - pronounced Neeva) a good few months to fully settle. We also had problems with her toilet training and got some really good advice from this forum. However, she still has the odd accident, but is definitely a lot better than she was.

You have to take into account that Greyhounds (unless they have been in foster homes) will have never been in a house so it will be a completely new experience for them. So don't expect your dog to be house trained or to adapt quickly to home life. Greyhounds (while in training) also have strict feeding schedules and will have been fed a high protein diet. They will need to have their food changed gradually to a lower protein diet unless your dog is going to be getting a tonne of exercise.

Greys are also notorious for having bad teeth so you will need to pay particular attention to your dog's dental health. Another thing is that not all Greys are couch potatoes who only need one or two twenty minute walks a day. I think that some rescues will only say that in order to get more dogs rehomed. I strongly believe that most breeds need a decent amount of exercise and mental stimulation. I also think that allowing a dog to lounge about all day could lead to muscle wastage and joint problems. While you might think a Grey is skinny and needs fed-up, bear in mind that Greys have lighter skeletal frames and even carrying a little bit of extra weight could have consequences. Greyhounds also have really thin skin and are very prone to cuts and scrapes. So don't be surprised if your dog comes back from a walk or a run with grazed skin.

Some rescues (such as the Fife branch of the Retired Greyhound Trust) will tell you that Greys can never be off lead (unless in an enclosed space). This is from the Fife's RGT website: "The greyhound should NEVER be let off lead in a public place. No point having a safe garden if you are going to let it off lead as soon as you are out of the garden. Article 8 on our signed adoption form holds the owner responsible in the event of any injuries caused to other animals and resulting costs of any such accident. The dog can be removed from the owner in such an event." I strongly disagree with that statement and think it's cruel of them to want dogs confined to a lead all the time. If every rescue had that policy then far, far fewer dogs would be adopted. Besides, Neamhnaid really comes alive when she is having a good run off lead and has a lot more fun doing that than trying to have a run in the garden. She also has good recall and we have had no problems with her being off in non-enclosed areas.

To counter what leflynn said. Neamhnaid usually gets nervous around children and will tuck her tail right underneath her and try to get away from them if they approach her. There are some children she is fine with, but they tend to be older children. Greyhounds do bark, but not often. Neamhnaid will have the occasional spell when she will bark for several minutes and she will sometimes bark at Brochan when she's trying to get him to play with her. I recently learned that some trainers (in order to stop Greyhounds barking) will drill nails into muzzles and force dogs to wear them, so that might be why Greyhounds seldom bark. That might also explain why a lot of Greyhounds are finicky about having their faces touched.

Neamhnaid is fine getting examined by the vet and there's not been a peep out of her (so far) when she has been getting an injection. In general her pain tolerance is quite high for a Grey. However, there was a time several months ago when I was out the back playing with them and she banged one of her legs on a bit of wood and she screamed and screamed and screamed. I had never heard her making such a noise before and Brochan (who had never howled before and who hasn't howled since) started howling. I was already in a state and I only got worse when he started doing that, so I phoned my Mum (thinking that she'd maybe fractured something) and she started to make her way home. At this point Neamhnaid had hobbled back into the house and lay on the floor looking really sorry for herself. I examined her leg thoroughly and couldn't feel anything. Then my Mum came in and Neamhnaid got up to greet her and she was absolutely fine. No limping or anything. So she was definitley a drama queen that day!

I am not trying to put you off getting a Grey in any way, but I am just trying to be realistic.
 

SonnyR99

New User
Joined
3 October 2015
Messages
1
Visit site
Hello Kitei,

I am new to this forum and not an expert on dogs either. I just wanted to tell you about our Italian Greyhound, Fanta and he is the sweetest thing ever :) I know its not the same as having a Greyhound, but still, I hope you don't mind. We got Fanta when he was just a few months old and he also had some developmental issues in the beginning. But, he overcame all of this and has become quite active and friendly, both with humans and other dogs. Gets a bit jealous if he sees me or my brother cuddling any other dog though. My brother has a friend who had to leave his Doberman with our family for a couple of days when he had to go see his sick aunt. That's when we found out about this side of Fanta's nature.

He loves long walks, and plays all day. He also makes a good guard dog and we have seen him prove it many times. The dogs of this breed are much smaller than greyhounds, but I think that can be considered as a positive point. Fanta needs to be taken on long walks everyday and its fun to go outdoors and play with him as he is very well behaved. I know you want to get a greyhound, I just shared my experience with my Italian breed :) You can get more information on Italian Greyhounds and their temperament and how you can take care of them, as each individual is different. And since you said it won't be for another few years, it can't hurt to find out about other breeds that may be suitable for you :) All the best
 

Beausmate

Well-Known Member
Joined
6 May 2008
Messages
2,821
Location
Endor
Visit site
You will need a very comfy sofa, preferably near a heat source. For the dog, of course.....

Sighthounds devote their lives to the pursuit of comfort, it is your duty as their acolyte and slave to provide any and all means of achieving 'comfort nirvana'.
 

MuddyMonster

Well-Known Member
Joined
22 September 2015
Messages
4,970
Visit site
I've had 3 - so by no means an expert, but just my experience so far.

Our first dog we let off lead an awful lot once we had him a while - his recall was brilliant and we never had any problems with him in that respecy. We rehomed him as a 8/9 year old and being older, he didn't have too many years of 'long' walks. Towards the end (he was 15 when we had him put to sleep) he was only happy to do 15-20 minutes or so, but I think that was an age thing, not necessarily a greyhound thing.

Our two we've currently got we've had almost a year now - we have to be much more careful about letting them off lead, as their recalls aren't so established. Actually, to be fair - our female's is better but she never actually raced. Our boy, was very successful racer and his chase instinct is SO much stronger.

We regularly take them out on lunge lines though, so they can run more than be confined on a shorter lead. We also take them to greyhound training classes & there they are let off lead as it's safe and fully enclosed.

Neither seem overly bothered that they don't go off lead so often & they are regularly out for 2-3 hours at a time on walks.

In the home - the ex-racing boy took a little longer to settle as he'd only known kennel life. He can be a little snappy if startled - but just as he's still adjusting to people around him all the time. Now, it really only occurs if he's been asleep and wasn't expecting someone to be there - it's our fault entirely, if we put him in that situation. He's the only greyhound we've had that has been that way inclined - so I'm not sure if its a 'him' thing or a hound thing. He came from Ireland originally, where I've been told they are a little rougher with them handling wise ... I'm not sure how true that is though.

The rest of the time, they are easy as pie - affectionate, loyal, couch potato's who are just fabulous dogs. Mine occassionally come to work with me in the office and are no problem - they are in their beds and that's that!

I adore them and would reccomend them to anyone.
 

splashgirl45

Lurcher lover
Joined
6 March 2010
Messages
15,043
Location
suffolk
Visit site
we have 2 ex racing greyhounds in our village owned by different people and both are well exercised off lead most of the time and are no problem with small dogs or recall....so not all of them just walk on leads...
 

CrazyMare

Well-Known Member
Joined
23 December 2005
Messages
11,713
Visit site
Greyhounds are amazing. Mine is lying on my legs right now. Shes beautiful, affectionate, gentle and cheeky.

She snuggles up with me every night, can steal anything off the counter tops with her pointy nose and is loved by everyone she meets. She cones eventing, footfollowing or to the pub. We took her on holiday earlier this year. She's generally super easy.

Her recall is crap, but I take her to a secure field with another couple of greyhounds for zoomies.
 

Spook

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 February 2009
Messages
617
Visit site
They fart, some suffer from separation anxiety, some kill cats, don't like the cold..... they are relatively lazy too... well the few I know have had all or some of these traits.... wonderful to watch in action though, beautiful.
 
Top