Rescue Greyhound
Discussion
I've owned three ex-racing greyhounds, and several other greyhound/sighthound crosses.
They are all individuals, so vary in temperament, etc, but a few things off the top of my head:
They don't (generally) need much exercise - a couple of 30 minute walks a day, but if you build them up to it, they can also manage longer walks (we've done up to 8 miles with some of ours). They are very adaptable in this respect.
They have short coats, and don't tend to moult much. But this, combined with the lack of body fat, means they feel the cold more than other dogs, so tend to need fleece jumpers and/or coats when it's cold/wet. It also means they can be susceptible to injuries, as their skin is thin and they don't have lots of fluff to protect them.
They can seem like 'big' dogs, but they fold up small(!), spend a lot of time sleeping and they don't tend to be very 'busy' like some dogs.
Ex-racers often haven't gone through the same 'life experience' as other dogs (playing as puppies, socialisation with other breeds, etc) so don't be surprised if they don't understand toys and need to meet other dogs/don't recognise them as dogs.
They may need to be muzzled out and about (at least until you are sure they are okay with other dogs/cats/small animals). Sighthounds can have high prey drive, which has been encouraged in racing greyhounds, so owners need to be aware of this. Some of mine could be let off lead and had good recall; others couldn't and didn't(!)
They generally haven't lived in a house, so are not familiar with household noises like the TV, washing machine or hoover. They often don't know how 'to do' stairs and have to be taught (if you want them upstairs of course). They will usually need to be housetrained, but tend to learn quickly.
They love comfy, squishy beds or sofas particularly!
Some of what I've said sounds a bit negative - it isn't meant to be, just realistic. If you have any questions, ask away!
I love them, and would have another in a heartbeat (we currently have two saluki crosses and a cocker spaniel).
They are all individuals, so vary in temperament, etc, but a few things off the top of my head:
They don't (generally) need much exercise - a couple of 30 minute walks a day, but if you build them up to it, they can also manage longer walks (we've done up to 8 miles with some of ours). They are very adaptable in this respect.
They have short coats, and don't tend to moult much. But this, combined with the lack of body fat, means they feel the cold more than other dogs, so tend to need fleece jumpers and/or coats when it's cold/wet. It also means they can be susceptible to injuries, as their skin is thin and they don't have lots of fluff to protect them.
They can seem like 'big' dogs, but they fold up small(!), spend a lot of time sleeping and they don't tend to be very 'busy' like some dogs.
Ex-racers often haven't gone through the same 'life experience' as other dogs (playing as puppies, socialisation with other breeds, etc) so don't be surprised if they don't understand toys and need to meet other dogs/don't recognise them as dogs.
They may need to be muzzled out and about (at least until you are sure they are okay with other dogs/cats/small animals). Sighthounds can have high prey drive, which has been encouraged in racing greyhounds, so owners need to be aware of this. Some of mine could be let off lead and had good recall; others couldn't and didn't(!)
They generally haven't lived in a house, so are not familiar with household noises like the TV, washing machine or hoover. They often don't know how 'to do' stairs and have to be taught (if you want them upstairs of course). They will usually need to be housetrained, but tend to learn quickly.
They love comfy, squishy beds or sofas particularly!
Some of what I've said sounds a bit negative - it isn't meant to be, just realistic. If you have any questions, ask away!
I love them, and would have another in a heartbeat (we currently have two saluki crosses and a cocker spaniel).
My youngest and his wife have an adopted ex racer and he is lovely. Everything the last poster said is spot on.
They are very good if anyone is prone to allergies. My DIL is allergic to most dogs but the Greyhound is fine.
He is incredibly fast when off the lead and we had to build up confidence with lots of recall training before he was allowed off the lead. However he has picked it up well. Squirrels though, oh my god he loves chasing them.
He is great with our Corgis, who are generally a pain in the arse, I think the Corgis don’t know he is a dog.
A typical day for Rocky is 23.5 hours asleep and 0.5hours at 40MPH.
They do massive poos, best get big poo bags
Hi Rocky
They are very good if anyone is prone to allergies. My DIL is allergic to most dogs but the Greyhound is fine.
He is incredibly fast when off the lead and we had to build up confidence with lots of recall training before he was allowed off the lead. However he has picked it up well. Squirrels though, oh my god he loves chasing them.
He is great with our Corgis, who are generally a pain in the arse, I think the Corgis don’t know he is a dog.
A typical day for Rocky is 23.5 hours asleep and 0.5hours at 40MPH.
They do massive poos, best get big poo bags
Hi Rocky
Edited by bigmowley on Tuesday 5th March 22:22
Edited by bigmowley on Tuesday 5th March 22:34
Thought of something else.
They need different collars from most dogs. Leather 'fishtail' greyhound collars are good, or harnesses. Mine have always had fabric house collars (with tags) which stay on all the time, and leather greyhound collars for attaching their leads to.
Never use an extendable lead with them.
They need different collars from most dogs. Leather 'fishtail' greyhound collars are good, or harnesses. Mine have always had fabric house collars (with tags) which stay on all the time, and leather greyhound collars for attaching their leads to.
Never use an extendable lead with them.
Edited by moorx on Wednesday 6th March 11:02
moorx said:
Thought of something else.
They need different collars from most dogs. Leather 'fishtail' greyhound collars are good, or harnesses. Mine have always had fabric house collars (with tags) which stay on all the time, and leather greyhound collars for attaching their leads to.
Never use an extendable lead with them.
Thanks for your insights. Nothing too scary so far... We live in the country so my nightmare is him seeing a rabbit and being gone, but I think if we are sensible we can avoid that!They need different collars from most dogs. Leather 'fishtail' greyhound collars are good, or harnesses. Mine have always had fabric house collars (with tags) which stay on all the time, and leather greyhound collars for attaching their leads to.
Never use an extendable lead with them.
Edited by moorx on Wednesday 6th March 11:02
XCP said:
Thanks for your insights. Nothing too scary so far... We live in the country so my nightmare is him seeing a rabbit and being gone, but I think if we are sensible we can avoid that!
So do we - we have 10 acres of our own land, surrounded by farmland. Rabbit central (in addition to the 8 pet rabbits we have). If you want to let them off the lead, you really need to be sure they have good recall (as is the case for all dogs TBH) or be in a secure fenced area.bigmowley said:
That's the archetypal greyhound 'look'; so lovely and gentle. Rocky is beautiful. You don't often see the dark brindles and he is particularly handsome.Here are my three, sadly all over the Bridge now
Wonderful memories though.Lily (an English-bred greyhound, fairly unusual)
Dylan
Honey
+1 for all of the above. Best description of a Greyhound is a 40mph couch potato! Ours was poor with other dogs but great with other Greyhounds. Took her a while to work out mirrors and going down stairs but toilet training was quick. Ours went off lead pretty soon as we had a field, recall was fine provided no rabbit/squirrel. In her time with us she only caught one rabbit, did that walking along a road on lead in Fairlight and just picked it up as we walked by!
moorx said:
I've owned three ex-racing greyhounds, and several other greyhound/sighthound crosses.
They are all individuals, so vary in temperament, etc, but a few things off the top of my head:
They don't (generally) need much exercise - a couple of 30 minute walks a day, but if you build them up to it, they can also manage longer walks (we've done up to 8 miles with some of ours). They are very adaptable in this respect.
They have short coats, and don't tend to moult much. But this, combined with the lack of body fat, means they feel the cold more than other dogs, so tend to need fleece jumpers and/or coats when it's cold/wet. It also means they can be susceptible to injuries, as their skin is thin and they don't have lots of fluff to protect them.
They can seem like 'big' dogs, but they fold up small(!), spend a lot of time sleeping and they don't tend to be very 'busy' like some dogs.
Ex-racers often haven't gone through the same 'life experience' as other dogs (playing as puppies, socialisation with other breeds, etc) so don't be surprised if they don't understand toys and need to meet other dogs/don't recognise them as dogs.
They may need to be muzzled out and about (at least until you are sure they are okay with other dogs/cats/small animals). Sighthounds can have high prey drive, which has been encouraged in racing greyhounds, so owners need to be aware of this. Some of mine could be let off lead and had good recall; others couldn't and didn't(!)
They generally haven't lived in a house, so are not familiar with household noises like the TV, washing machine or hoover. They often don't know how 'to do' stairs and have to be taught (if you want them upstairs of course). They will usually need to be housetrained, but tend to learn quickly.
They love comfy, squishy beds or sofas particularly!
Some of what I've said sounds a bit negative - it isn't meant to be, just realistic. If you have any questions, ask away!
I love them, and would have another in a heartbeat (we currently have two saluki crosses and a cocker spaniel).
Great summary, and reflects our experience of Greyhound ownership (we’ve also had Whippets, Lurchers and an Irish Wolfhound). We just love all sighthounds!They are all individuals, so vary in temperament, etc, but a few things off the top of my head:
They don't (generally) need much exercise - a couple of 30 minute walks a day, but if you build them up to it, they can also manage longer walks (we've done up to 8 miles with some of ours). They are very adaptable in this respect.
They have short coats, and don't tend to moult much. But this, combined with the lack of body fat, means they feel the cold more than other dogs, so tend to need fleece jumpers and/or coats when it's cold/wet. It also means they can be susceptible to injuries, as their skin is thin and they don't have lots of fluff to protect them.
They can seem like 'big' dogs, but they fold up small(!), spend a lot of time sleeping and they don't tend to be very 'busy' like some dogs.
Ex-racers often haven't gone through the same 'life experience' as other dogs (playing as puppies, socialisation with other breeds, etc) so don't be surprised if they don't understand toys and need to meet other dogs/don't recognise them as dogs.
They may need to be muzzled out and about (at least until you are sure they are okay with other dogs/cats/small animals). Sighthounds can have high prey drive, which has been encouraged in racing greyhounds, so owners need to be aware of this. Some of mine could be let off lead and had good recall; others couldn't and didn't(!)
They generally haven't lived in a house, so are not familiar with household noises like the TV, washing machine or hoover. They often don't know how 'to do' stairs and have to be taught (if you want them upstairs of course). They will usually need to be housetrained, but tend to learn quickly.
They love comfy, squishy beds or sofas particularly!
Some of what I've said sounds a bit negative - it isn't meant to be, just realistic. If you have any questions, ask away!
I love them, and would have another in a heartbeat (we currently have two saluki crosses and a cocker spaniel).
I've been involved with retired Greyhounds all my life, my parent's had one before I was born and have never been in a position where don't have one and at one point they had three.
They are generally quite lazy dogs, they don't need huge amounts of exercise, they love to lay around the house and will be on your sofa, bed or anywhere else they can find given chance. Very affectionate dogs as a rule, most of the ones we have had like to play with old stuffed toys in the main but they will pull them apart eventually so charity shops are a good source for them.
They are not a dog you can go for a casual run with, they have two speeds which are walking or 30+ mph, there is no in between, for that reason as well I recommend you don't let them off the lead unless in an enclosed area because they are motivated by sight and if they see something moving in the long distance and set off you won't stop them off a lead and because of how fast they move they can get lost very quickly.
As someone above said many have never seen another breed of dog before so may not understand that small dogs are not something to be chased, I've had some that are fine with other dogs and others that can't be trusted so it's something to be aware of.
If you go to a good rescue centre they will know hopefully what the dogs are like and can advise you, i have deliberately had difficult ones in the past because I am used to handling them so it doesn't worry me too much and I like to help the ones which have been abandoned by others, on the flip side the same kennel gave my grandma dogs which could be trusted and would be fine for an older person.
They are generally quite lazy dogs, they don't need huge amounts of exercise, they love to lay around the house and will be on your sofa, bed or anywhere else they can find given chance. Very affectionate dogs as a rule, most of the ones we have had like to play with old stuffed toys in the main but they will pull them apart eventually so charity shops are a good source for them.
They are not a dog you can go for a casual run with, they have two speeds which are walking or 30+ mph, there is no in between, for that reason as well I recommend you don't let them off the lead unless in an enclosed area because they are motivated by sight and if they see something moving in the long distance and set off you won't stop them off a lead and because of how fast they move they can get lost very quickly.
As someone above said many have never seen another breed of dog before so may not understand that small dogs are not something to be chased, I've had some that are fine with other dogs and others that can't be trusted so it's something to be aware of.
If you go to a good rescue centre they will know hopefully what the dogs are like and can advise you, i have deliberately had difficult ones in the past because I am used to handling them so it doesn't worry me too much and I like to help the ones which have been abandoned by others, on the flip side the same kennel gave my grandma dogs which could be trusted and would be fine for an older person.
XCP said:
We are thinking of adopting a four year old retired racer. Had all sorts of dogs in the past, ranging from a Bull Mastiff to a Staffie.
Anyone got any pros and cons experience?
We have no other animals, and a smallish garden. Grandchildren between 5 and 9 visit regularly.
Thanks.
Not read replies above, but we were so happy with getting Dave (now 9) we now have another, from the same rescue centre 'Celia Cross' near Guildford - who I also recommend. Easy ownership. Only neg point is they can just naff off when lure is around, with poor recall, so we're careful were we le them off Anyone got any pros and cons experience?
We have no other animals, and a smallish garden. Grandchildren between 5 and 9 visit regularly.
Thanks.
They’re lovely things. As others have said, just the laziest dogs for 23 hours a day, they want to curl up on the sofa and sleep. The last one (lt. hey had (Sunny) had a new lease of life when she met my little dachshund Penny Lane, the old dog turned back into a puppy with her and just wanted to play.
My parents have had 4 sight hounds, an ex-racer and three spanish Galgols, they’ve all been delightful.
Just keep it on the lead until you’re sure that it’s been successfully reprogrammed!
My parents have had 4 sight hounds, an ex-racer and three spanish Galgols, they’ve all been delightful.
Just keep it on the lead until you’re sure that it’s been successfully reprogrammed!
Nothing useful to add, just here to say good for you to consider a rescue dog, what great photos, and all the greyhounds I’ve ever come across have been lovely dogs.
I remember watching one owner throwing a ball for his greyhound and another dog got in on the game. The relative speed of the greyhound was astonishing!
I remember watching one owner throwing a ball for his greyhound and another dog got in on the game. The relative speed of the greyhound was astonishing!
We've had our rescue greyhound for 3.5 years now and he's awesome.
As others have said, incredibly lazy, affectionate and generally the easiest dog ever.
Great with other greyhounds but a bit wary of other breeds.
Nothing to add other than they are lovely dogs.
Obligatory pic of Ted being Ted.
As others have said, incredibly lazy, affectionate and generally the easiest dog ever.
Great with other greyhounds but a bit wary of other breeds.
Nothing to add other than they are lovely dogs.
Obligatory pic of Ted being Ted.
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