I cannot recommend Greyhounds enough as pets

Lizabellem

If you are getting a dog soon or ever, consider getting a greyhound.
There are so many ex racer dogs that need home and they make the best pets.

1. They don't need to be groomed
2. They need a small walk
3. They are really smart
4. They don't have that usual dog smell
5. They don't roll in mud
6. Rescue animals love to be loved

Plus, there are many more reasons, these are my top 6.

Indricotherium

Lizabellem wrote: »

If you are getting a dog soon or ever, consider getting a greyhound.
There are so many ex racer dogs that need home and they make the best pets.

1. They don't need to be groomed
2. They need a small walk
3. They are really smart
4. They don't have that usual dog smell
5. They don't roll in mud
6. Rescue animals love to be loved

Plus, there are many more reasons, these are my top 6.

They look a bit gank is the only thing that would put me off them.

Lizabellem

Indricotherium wrote: »

They look a bit gank is the only thing that would put me off them.

No they don't, they are beautiful. They are like the supermodel of dogs.

Jimmy Bottlehead

Maybe it's just me, but whenever I meet a dog in person, I can't help but forget their looks and focus on their personality.

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

Lizabellem wrote: »

No they don't, they are beautiful. They are like the supermodel of dogs.

exactly

Dirk Gently

Never had one and don't know a whole lot about them but any I've seen are always on lead and muzzled. I assume there's an issue with high prey drive there?

Toulouse

Dirk Gently wrote: »

Never had one and don't know a whole lot about them but any I've seen are always on lead and muzzled. I assume there's an issue with high prey drive there?

For some yes, after all they are bred to chase. But alot of them are not good chasers and so are discarded in large numbers. Have a look at any sighthound site and you will see cat friendly Greys.

Many Huskys and Terrier breeds have high prey drives too and it doesn't stop thousands of people in Ireland keeping those breeds as pets.

Greyhounds are fabulous dogs, I've been around them my whole life and can't ever see me not having one.

Whispered

Lizabellem wrote: »

No they don't, they are beautiful. They are like the supermodel of dogs.

They promote an unhealthy body image. The amount of times my staffy has turned down his food and looked wistfully at a picture of a greyhound. :pac:

No seriously though, any one of them I met has been wonderful, placid and sweet. Something nearly shy about them. Very easy to walk on the lead and very clean.

Lizabellem

Dirk Gently wrote: »

Never had one and don't know a whole lot about them but any I've seen are always on lead and muzzled. I assume there's an issue with high prey drive there?

Nah, its only the way the breeders of the racers walk with them.

They actually are cat friendly !

Lizabellem

Whispered wrote: »

They promote an unhealthy body image. The amount of times my staffy has turned down his food and looked wistfully at a picture of a greyhound. :pac:

This is too funny !

TooManyDogs

Dirk Gently wrote: »

any I've seen are always on lead and muzzled. I assume there's an issue with high prey drive there?

Like Toulouse said some have prey drive but as far as I'm aware greyhounds have to be muzzled by law, nothing to do with being aggressive.

It's always useful to bear in mind what the dog was originally bred for and take that into account as to whether that breed would suit your lifestyle but there's always exceptions, there are tons of greyhounds happily sharing houses with cats and plenty of labrador who would run down a cat if given a chance.

i71jskz5xu42pb

I had a greyhound (well part greyhound and a bit of whatever you're having yourself really) when I was a kid, best dog I ever had, a lady through and through, placid and liked nothing more than to curl up beside you with her head on your lap for a snooze.

And much and all as I hate seeing any type of clothing on dogs, I'd allow a seasonal waiver for this.

TooManyDogs

Braylon Greasy Comma wrote: »

And much and all as I hate seeing any type of clothing on dogs, I'd allow a seasonal waiver for this.

WANT ONE!! (or 6 in different sizes and matching colours! )

Magenta

Is it true that they sleep for 20 hours a day? Would they be a good choice for people who work during the day in this case?
Also, do they bark much?

TooManyDogs

Magenta wrote: »

Is it true that they sleep for 20 hours a day? Would they be a good choice for people who work during the day in this case?
Also, do they bark much?

I have 5 lurcher pups in foster at the moment and they sleep all the time, then have a mad 5 mins and sleep again! Most chilled out, lazy pups ever. I also mind a saluki hound from down the road and she goes to bed about 11pm and doesn't get up until about 1pm the next morning! All the other dogs will be up and milling around and she'll still be snoozing under her blanket

planetX

TooManyDogs wrote: »

Like Toulouse said some have prey drive but as far as I'm aware greyhounds have to be muzzled by law, nothing to do with being aggressive.

I'm not aware of any law about muzzling greyhounds.

Some have high prey drive, but very many don't. Rescues always have a good idea of whether this is the case or not. The only thing I'd add to the OP is that they are not needy dogs, to the point where they can seem a bit detached.

And my dog rolls in mud - but maybe that's the 'other' half. Lurchers vary a lot depending on the cross, mine is much more energetic than any greyhound we've met. And he lives happily with 5 cats.

super_furry

Always said that whenever I get my own place with a garden I'd get a rescue greyhound. Beautiful animals.

fatmammycat

I exercise my lad three or four times a week with a small pack containing two lurchers; they are beautiful dogs, so easy going and sweet natured. And REALLY fast, it's comical watching the youngest one run rings around my dog.

ISDW

fatmammycat wrote: »

I exercise my lad three or four times a week with a small pack containing two lurchers; they are beautiful dogs, so easy going and sweet natured. And REALLY fast, it's comical watching the youngest one run rings around my dog.

The way I read that, because I have backpacks for my dogs, is that you walk your lad with a backpack containing 2 lurchers. :eek:

fatmammycat

ISDW wrote: »

The way I read that, because I have backpacks for my dogs, is that you walk your lad with a backpack containing 2 lurchers. :eek:

Hah, he's big, but he's not THAT big , nah, he's part of a walking pack, which is terrific for socialising him, and for reminding him_ quite sharpishly_ that he's not the biggest dog in the park. Funnily it's the older lurcher who is top dog of the group and all the dogs respect his calm authority, even Mr Mcteenagegiddypants.

girl in the striped socks

I absolutely love greyhounds. They are so elegant I could look at them all day.
I already have a lab x that was destined for a nasty end if we didn't give him a home but I already know that as soon as its possible I will be rehoming a greyhound.
A neighbour of mine already has one & she is so affectionate & calm. A really beautiful dog with a great personality.

anniehoo

super_furry wrote: »

Always said that whenever I get my own place with a garden I'd get a rescue greyhound. Beautiful animals.

Me too. The next dog i get will be a lurcher or greyhound. I started working with them 12 years ago, with no prior contact really and i couldnt believe how everything i thought about them previously changed in an instant. I adore these dogs and im so glad to see the perception of them is changing in this country.

Mince Pie

TooManyDogs wrote: »

I have 5 lurcher pups in foster at the moment and they sleep all the time, then have a mad 5 mins and sleep again! Most chilled out, lazy pups ever. I also mind a saluki hound from down the road and she goes to bed about 11pm and doesn't get up until about 1pm the next morning! All the other dogs will be up and milling around and she'll still be snoozing under her blanket

I would give my right arm to see pics of cute lurcher pups!
I have a rescue lurcher and she is the best thing to happen to me. I love her, she is so chilled at home and a total comedy character when she's out having a run. Also brilliant with my sisters kids. If I could I would definitely get another rescue.

Magenta

Magenta wrote: »

Is it true that they sleep for 20 hours a day? Would they be a good choice for people who work during the day in this case?
Also, do they bark much?

No, they don't bark and they sleep about 23 hours a day! I've had greyhounds as pets now for over 25 years! They are just soooooo lazy! I will disagree with OP about grooming! They do need a rub of a glove once a week or so. Their teeth need attention too. I've learned how to brush their teeth while grooming them. They also love a bath/shower. They are very child friendly.

loveisdivine

We hope to get a greyhound in the future. We are not relly in the position to at the minute, but one day!

krissovo

I have had rescue greyhounds going back 15 years or so, 90% have been perfect but a few cannot make the switch from working dog to pet. Most will change completely within a few weeks but some have emotional scars.

They are the perfect pet for a lazy person as they need very little attention and upkeep. They also like to keep themselves clean and would be close to bursting open rather than mess in side their home.

Some "minor" problems I have had:
Stairs - Had a hound who hated stairs and took 4 years to climb them without falling down.

Cats - My first hound leaped a 8ft fence after a cat was teasing it for days and killed it. It killed 3 or 4 others in the area so neighbors were getting upset.

Heart Attacks - Had two die of heart attacks after they were chasing rabbits in a local field. The hounds will keep on running until either they catch a prey or their hearts stop from over exertion, they are designed to run under 400 meters a time and cannot cope with any endurance.

"Heart Attacks - Had two die of heart attacks after they were chasing rabbits in a local field. The hounds will keep on running until either they catch a prey or their hearts stop from over exertion, they are designed to run under 400 meters a time and cannot cope with any endurance."
I would never let a greyhound loose in a field. I have a half acre back garden that they can run round, but I'd be afraid to let them loose elsewhere, for the very reason you gave!

threepennys

I have kept pet greyhounds for 15 years & absolutely adore them
They are clean, quiet, gentle dogs and want for nothing more than a couple of short walks a day and a comfy bed (or sofa!).
They don't require any special food, although some can have sensitive tummies (like any pedigree dog).
They require little grooming and are great for people with allergies as they have no undercoat.
Fantastic with children & easy to walk. They are not a restricted breed, so do NOT need to be muzzled when out.
They are quite simply the most affectionate, biddable dogs. I could go on all day - what's not to like?!

Magenta

I work full time and live in an apartment and would love a greyhound, but it's hard enough to find a place that's dog friendly as it is, and most people still think a greyhound will spend all day doing laps of the living room so it wouldn't be easy to find a landlord who'd be open to the idea.
In the past few months I've seen several being walked around Dublin and it looked like they were regular pets which is great to see.

krissovo

Deleted User wrote: »

I would never let a greyhound loose in a field. I have a half acre back garden that they can run round, but I'd be afraid to let them loose elsewhere, for the very reason you gave!

They jumped a 8 ft fence in my 1 acre garden to get into the field:eek:

Tranceypoo

Re the muzzling, my understanding is that greyhounds who are kept as running greyhounds have to be muzzled when out being exercised in public, pet greyhounds don't.

fits

They are walked muzzled as they need to be raced muzzled and they have to be accustomed to wearing one!
No law or need for it otherwise.

ISDW

Tranceypoo wrote: »

Re the muzzling, my understanding is that greyhounds who are kept as running greyhounds have to be muzzled when out being exercised in public, pet greyhounds don't.

No muzzles required, but they must be on a lead, and nobody is allowed to be in control of more than 4 in a public place

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1986/en/act/pub/0032/sec0010.html#sec10

In Northern Ireland they have to be muzzled in public.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/apni/1950/13?view=plain

borderlinemeath

TooManyDogs wrote: »

Like Toulouse said some have prey drive but as far as I'm aware greyhounds have to be muzzled by law, nothing to do with being aggressive.

I think it's only if they are being walked in multiples, ie when racing greys are getting walked they must be muzzled and can only be walked in groups of 4 or less. I don't think a single pet greyhound must be muzzled. I could be wrong though:p

boomerang

Nope, muzzling not required by law. It's a common misconception. They do have to be walked on a strong lead in public though, and not by someone less than 16 years of age, if I remember rightly.

To my knowlesge the reason they're muzzled when walked together is that if a row breaks out they can do awful damage to one another as they are thin skinned and have so little body fat. And if it means they can't race for a few months...

boomerang

Oh and I adopted my first greyhound this year and even though I'd known all the positives about greys as pets for years beforehand, it really didn't hit home until Josie arrived. She's incredible!

Totally lovable
Lazier than me - some achievement
Loves to snooze all day
Doesn't bark much (unless excited)
Doesn't shed
A joy to walk on the lead
Gets on with every dog she meets
Loves small children
Placid
REALLY easy to train as she's very foodie

boxerly

Lizabellem wrote: »

Nah, its only the way the breeders of the racers walk with them.

They actually are cat friendly !

That is a VERY sweeping statement .My cat was attacked and almost killed by one I was fostering.He was here about 4 months.You have to be very very careful with them as unfortunately ye dont know their background.They were trained to chase and in some cases they can chase,catch and kill.They are lovely dogs and I always wanted one but Im still paying off a vet bill of 863 and cat isnt in the best of health:(.I take full responsibility for what happened,I was walking him on a lead but with no muzzle.My cat stepped out from the side and well I wont go into details but ............lets just say,please if you have small animals make sure they are tested before you take one xx

bernard0368

I have two, the male is a collie-grey and the bitch a saluki-grey. Fantastic dogs but both are very different.

Male - Bitch
Des not shed - Sheds like mad all year.
Hyper - You nearly have to drag her out of bed
Loves people - Aloof couldn't give a damn for outsiders
Loves to run- Only if she has too.
Cant stay still - Sleeps more than a teenager
Gets on with dogs - Like people she could not care.

Common to both,Rescues, loyal, loving, great on the lead, great with the kids, do not bark. They both have high prey drive and have realised that working as a team gets better results. It can be a joy to watch them interact she will go try flush out the rabbits knowing the male has the greater chance of catching it. They are not working dogs but I let them do what they are bred for every so often.

Vel

boxerly wrote: »

That is a VERY sweeping statement .My cat was attacked and almost killed by one I was fostering.He was here about 4 months.You have to be very very careful with them as unfortunately ye dont know their background.They were trained to chase and in some cases they can chase,catch and kill.They are lovely dogs and I always wanted one but Im still paying off a vet bill of 863 and cat isnt in the best of health:(.I take full responsibility for what happened,I was walking him on a lead but with no muzzle.My cat stepped out from the side and well I wont go into details but ............lets just say,please if you have small animals make sure they are tested before you take one xx

Sorry to hear about your cat Was the dog assessed by the rescue you were fostering him for as being cat friendly?

boxerly

Vel wrote: »

Sorry to hear about your cat Was the dog assessed by the rescue you were fostering him for as being cat friendly?

Nope :(his trainer and owner was sending him and his brother to the pound so they needed foster asap.Poor dog was in an awful state at first:(.I dont blame him at all its the way they have been trained,used and abused .He came out of his shell after a few weeks and was such a lovable lad .Greys are beautiful dogs and if I didnt have cats or chickens he would have stayed.He used to sleep on his back with his paws in the air hehe.He even came on holidays with us and was amazed to see the sea and feel the sand on his feet:).Greys are treated so bad in this country its terrible

boxerly

boxerly wrote: »

Nope :(his trainer and owner was sending him and his brother to the pound so they needed foster asap.Poor dog was in an awful state at first:(.I dont blame him at all its the way they have been trained,used and abused .He came out of his shell after a few weeks and was such a lovable lad .Greys are beautiful dogs and if I didnt have cats or chickens he would have stayed.He used to sleep on his back with his paws in the air hehe.He even came on holidays with us and was amazed to see the sea and feel the sand on his feet:).Greys are treated so bad in this country its terrible

What makes you say greyhounds are treated badly? Any I've seen at the track are looked after better than humans. They are fed the best, kept warm, exercised, massaged, regular vet checks. They feel the sand under their feet at tracks, so that's why they like it at the seaside.

boxerly

Deleted User wrote: »

What makes you say greyhounds are treated badly? Any I've seen at the track are looked after better than humans. They are fed the best, kept warm, exercised, massaged, regular vet checks. They feel the sand under their feet at tracks, so that's why they like it at the seaside.

Take a visit to a rescue :)Ive been fostering for 7 years and have seen so much cruelty especially with greys.Once they finish racing alot are killed, dumped sent to pounds etc.There are some owners who keep them but majority dont.This is not my opinion its fact and ask any rescue centre or pound in this country and they will tell you the same.

Dirk Gently

Deleted User wrote: »

What makes you say greyhounds are treated badly? Any I've seen at the track are looked after better than humans. They are fed the best, kept warm, exercised, massaged, regular vet checks.

For a couple of years while they're young anyway, until they're dumped in pounds or shot.

TooManyDogs

boxerly wrote: »

Take a visit to a rescue :)Ive been fostering for 7 years and have seen so much cruelty especially with greys.Once they finish racing alot are killed, dumped sent to pounds etc.There are some owners who keep them but majority dont.This is not my opinion its fact and ask any rescue centre or pound in this country and they will tell you the same.

And don't forget the ones that don't make it to the race track and 'disappear'??? Isn't there something like 8,000 disappear each year? They're registered with IGB but are never raced and never appear anywhere else

Magenta

TooManyDogs wrote: »

And don't forget the ones that don't make it to the race track and 'disappear'??? Isn't there something like 8,000 disappear each year? They're registered with IGB but are never raced and never appear anywhere else

They are shipped off to Spain where regulations are less strict about how healthy a dog has to be to race. Or they get shot. I think the figure is closer to 20,000.

Zillah

Over a year ago a friend of mine that was visiting from the US showed me a picture of his dog and I was noticeably disappointed because it was a greyhound and I thought she looked a bit mank being so scrawny. A couple months ago I met her and she was the sweetest, most gentle and friendly dog in the world, and I think she is great, and I think when I'm in a position to get a dog I might get a greyhound rescue.

morton

Thought you might like this photo I saw someone posted on the 'sighthound strolls' Facebook page. They raise awareness of the plight of sighthounds through their site and their walks . I haven't been able to go on these walks but look forward to it someday so I can see and mingle with these gentle giants!

I don't have greyhounds but multiple of the smaller version of them like the photo, whippets , a.k.a mini couch potatoes:D

CleoD

Deleted User wrote: »

What makes you say greyhounds are treated badly? Any I've seen at the track are looked after better than humans. They are fed the best, kept warm, exercised, massaged, regular vet checks. They feel the sand under their feet at tracks, so that's why they like it at the seaside.

This is wrong information unfortunately, I foster for a greyhound rescue and the dogs that come in are not in any way looked after. Thousands upon thousands are bred every year for racing, and the ones that dont make the cut are culled, have their ears cut off to prevent identification or let loose to roam. Check out any of the animal welfare websites, there is one that protests regularly at greyhound tracks due to the cruelty. I used to love going to the dogs and was of the same oipinion as you, but since I began working with the rescue and learned about it, I refuse to go or contribute in any way to the owners greedy pockets. And its due to greyhound racing and the hold that they have over the government that there has been no legislation regarding puppy farms. Racing tracks are bad news all round.

With regard to the OP, I have had both greyhounds and lurchers living here and they are the most amazing dogs. Each and every one of them have been a pleasure to have had under my roof and when I am in the position of being able to adopt permanently they are a dog that I will definitely be taking. Such gentle classy dogs.

chris2008x

Why was the OP banned, man in a dress?

Nody

chris2008x wrote: »

Why was the OP banned, man in a dress?

Shilling appearantly (post 19 is the explanation of the ban by Gordon; the ban is based on post 5 I'd guess).

"Thousands upon thousands are bred every year for racing, and the ones that dont make the cut are culled, have their ears cut off to prevent identification or let loose to roam. Check out any of the animal welfare websites, there is one that protests regularly at greyhound tracks due to the cruelty."

Do you have actual proof of this, or is it just hearsay? Greyhounds can be traced through their DNA. They were always traceable from their tatoos, but due to an incident of a greyhound having its ears mutulated to hide these, DNA was introduced. This has been done for the past 10 years or so. I live in the countryside and have never seen any dog, let alone a greyhound roaming loose. Animal welfare groups make a nice living from the grants they get both from the Government and Greyhound Board. Some have the sole aim to close down greyhound racing, but they'll be the loosers when these grants are stopped.