I've been thinking of getting one of these when and if I ever get another dog, probably not anytime soon. I saw some yesterday at a Petsmart in VA and they are so elegant! They were from a greyhound rescue group, I took their info, but wondered if anyone here had one and could give me some first hand experience? I know you can't EVER let them be off leash and they are quite the couch potatos. I hadn't heard before that they didn't shed much, which is a big plus to me!
I have fostered/pet sat some. GREAT dogs!! They do have some idiosyncrasy's if they are ex race dogs. The ones I have had fresh from the track have never been inside, just in a cage!! So stairs are a shock, normal everyday things can be scary. Another thing was they ALL really liked to chase my cats. I think it has something to do with the 'bunny' thing they chase in the race. I had one that would freeze and stare at my cat waiting for her to move, so they would both be frozen staring at each other, one time he took off after her and slid across my kitchen so hard it broke her whole toe nail off!! They need exercise!! But other than that, I love the breed. Most were happy to lie around and watch our life go on around them. They are beautiful!! I would be sure to get one that had either never been a race dog, or who has gone though foster/therapy first. Good luck!!
I know... but they almost seem shocked when the cat doesn't just run. If they stop or fight back etc, it startles the dog. I keep baby gates up so the cat can go over and the dog can't.
Thanks LJK! I've actually been fascinated with them for years, a friend of mine back in TN knew someone who had a resuce greyhound and I just fell in love with him, he was so sweet! But it was like you said, he had to be socialized quite a bit, his back legs were so over-muscled, he could barely sit. Poor things! I do have two cats, so I hadn't thought of one trying to "chase" them, that could be bad. Lots to think about!
I don't want to talk you out if it, there are plenty that need rescuing!! Maybe the rescue group can find one good with cats? (and thanks Ken for caring about my kitty! That was sweet!)
They had 2 puppies yesterday, 1 three month old, and one 5 month old. So cute! Maybe a younger dog would have an easier time adjusting to the kitties. I'm still in the "thinking about it" stage. We stay pretty busy, and DH isn't convinced we "need" a dog. LOL. I just want to make sure I make the right decision when and if we get a dog.
Absolutely true, thousands of years of instinct to fight there. That's why you can't have them off leash unless you have a fenced yard, and the lady we were talking to said an underground fence is basically useless too, as they can reach 60 MPH in about 4 leaps. :shock: Did she say 60? I don't know, they just go REALLY fast! LOL
I've known and pet sat for a greyhound for 9 years - an ex-racer who was 4 years old when I met her. Most - are not good with cats, but know a number of them who are. It depends on the individual dog - just like most Jack Russels and Most Siberian Huskies aren't safe with cats. . .therefore - I wouldn't adopt one if I had a cat - it's definitely a 50:50 thing. Being sight hounds they will run if let off a leash, but good exercise twice a week will leave them content, and in good condition. Definitely 35MPH couch potatoes. Very sweet dispositions and every ex-racer I've met walked beautifully on a leash. Like many deep chested dogs, you can't let them run after eating - Other things about them have been mentioned here - didn't read every post - on my way out the door, but one last addition - in Greyhound playgroups, most people muzzle their dogs, Greyhounds tend to nip at each other (when they aren't a formal pack) So the people I know who have them have muzzled their dogs when they first meet others. Quincy and my friend Sandy's dog got along great - but she did muzzle her Greyhound the first 2 or 3 times they ran together just to be safe. Never had an incident and she was so darn sweet, she would eat and drink out of the same bowl with him - at the same time - that amazed me! If I repeated anything anyone else mentioned, forgive me. Oh - saw something mentioned in a post about muscles and a Greyhound who could barely sit ----while they CAN sit, because of their body structure, most Greyhounds seldom sit compared to other breeds - standing and laying down is the positions they typically choose for themselves. Gotta run-
More good info! Thanks Zoo! Here is the site for the group I was talking about yesterday. I noticed they say whether some of the dogs are "cat safe" or not. http://www.starcitygreyhounds.org/Default.htm The brochure I have states that the adoption fee is only $250, and that includes spaying or neutering, bathing and flea treatment, greyhound collar, lead and muzzle, 24 hour tech support, heartworm test, dental cleaning, updated vaccines and de-worming. BARGAIN!
Tech support for a dog! Are you buying a robo-greyhound?? ROFL.. it just struck me as funny... you see so many things offering "Tech Support", I've just never seen it in reference to an animal before. :mrgreen:
I didn't think of it that way, LOL. Maybe other people don't have the support of their fellow 40/42ers! :jester:
LOL... that is funny, I caught that too. I wonder if they outsource their tech support so you have to talk to someone in India? :lol:
We rescused a 60 lb female Brindle name Bernie 6 years ago and have loved her ever since. She embraced retirement from the moment she entered our house by promptly going over to the big fluffy pillow we bought for her, aying down, dead-cockroaching and snoring!!! We had her befoe we had our son and when he was born she was very protective of him and had to give her sniff of approval before anyone was allowed near him. Greyhoundsare fantastic animals and awesome family pets. There are still thousands needlesly killed ever year unfortuantely. Let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks so much for posting, now if I can just twist DH's arm a little more....................................8)
