Jacks and Greyhounds

[thighofrelief]

Hi everyone

Just wondering if anyone has much experience with greyhounds? I've always had Jacks and I love the breed so clever, funny and robust. I thought I would never think of anything but a Jack but keep meeting the loveliest greyhound it's making me think. He's so gentle and quietly loving, it's so touching. I had always assumed they were a breed who don't give much back. Have I been wrong all these years?

[LEMtheoriginal]

Yep very wrong. Have never met a nasty greyhound. Really loving dogs. Lazy though so might struggle to keep up witha Jack

[Wolfiefan]

Yep. Totally and completely and utterly wrong. They do only need a run and then LOTS of sleeping. May be ok with a slightly older Jack? But not the sort of breed to need hours and hours of exercise.

[CMOTDibbler]

I have lurchers (my two foster puppies are snoring on me now while my two are sleeping with DS), and like greyhounds their love is generally quieter than other dogs, but its no less. Ddog1 does a lot of lying with his head in your lap, or lovingly leaning on you - but when very excited grins and bounces.
Sighthounds are ace!

[IthinkIsawahairbrushbackthere]

I love Jacks. I can't imagine not having one in my life - but I would love a rescue greyhound as well. I can't see it happening for me. Husband has a husky and having one big dog and one little works well for us. Hopefully it will be a few years before I have to think about getting another dog of my own but a lurcher or greyhound would definitely be a possibility in an ideal world.

[thighofrelief]

I've always assumed they would be a difficult to manage breed with the prey drive and needing to race off their energy. However, Jacks need careful management anyway so shouldn't think a greyhound is beyond me.

[thighofrelief]

Yes I'm crazy about Jacks too but i think you could get to an age where taking on a new Jack is too much. Unless you adopted Jacks who matched your own energy levels. This lovely greyhound has just broadened my dog scope.

[Wolfiefan]

Some do have a strong prey drive. And some don’t. If you get a rescue that has been in foster you would know where you stood.
And space? They don’t need miles and miles. I have a giant sighthound and she’s quite happy running laps round me in the field!

[CMOTDibbler]

My lot are living with cats and chickens quite happily. Of all the puppies that have lived with me now, only two have been a definate no with the cats/chickens. And mine love to run, but round the house are mostly horizontal

[tabulahrasa]

They’re lovely, really sweet and affectionate, yes some have a very high prey drive (but terriers aren’t exactly low prey drive dogs) but... they’re not hugely energetic, so actually not hard to manage usually - they’re sprinters, so yes they want a run around, but not a long one, lol.

They are not however usually the liveliest of dogs and (sorry to pointy owners) not the brightest or easiest to train to do things. The plus side of that is that they don’t tend to do things you don’t want them to either.

[thighofrelief]

tabula true, Jacks have very, very high prey drives. I'm very taken with the rescue greyhound i keep running into and will definitely consider looking at ex-racers who have been in foster.

[yetwig]

Love Jack's and Greyhound, Lurchers as I have had one of each for a few years together, they all got on well .

[thighofrelief]

Did you have all 3 breeds together? Wondering if my Jacks would drive a greyhound nuts. I have a good dog balance atm but have never gone for different breeds at the same time.

[ArrivisteRevolt]

Wow, you are totally about to lose your heart. Greyhounds are a truly magic breed. So noble and gentle and wise. Utterly lovely.

[dapplegrey]

Have you thought of an Italian Greyhound op?
They are smaller than a whippet so much smaller than a Greyhound and they are the sweetest, most loving, intelligent little dogs imaginable.

[Frouby]

We have a whippet. Absolutely the perfect housedog, as long as you aren't particular about dogs on sofas, and have high worktops.

She was actually really trainable, is very clever and very loyal.

Her recall is spot on due to being very food orientated. And she also sits, stays, lies down, gives a paw and high five, speaks and much to small dcs delight, counts. I know when DH is home as she hears his car and identifies it from the other billion coming into our estate. She is fabulous.

[thighofrelief]

No I hadn't thought about an Italian greyhound but think I have seen a few round and about. I grew up with whippets, don't see many around now (South) they are terrific dogs. Tbh I do really appreciate not being able to get to counter tops with Jacks, I had forgotten that only having had small dogs for a long time. Sofas, I haven't had one without a mountain of blankets on for such a long time!

[Scattyhattie]

Italian greyhounds are, much higher energy & less chilled than whippets & greyhounds, very prone to fractured legs too.

Lots of greyhound/lurchers owners also have terriers. Some lurcher mixes include various terriers & both would be used in hunting/vermin control so have long history of being kept together. My friend has parson Russell's, greyhounds & lurchers they all get along well, one greyhound she had would course & roll terrier over sometimes if allowed to run together but her others were fine.

Lurchers tend to be mixed for greater stamina, hardiness & drive/brains than greyhounds so can be much more active. Some sighthound breeds are also distance hunters rather than sprinters like greyhounds so naturally have more stamina. There's some good sighthound/lurcher specific rescues about that can guide you to most suitable match for your home.

[hippipotamiwantstoloseapound]

Very very wrong. Greyhounds and lurchers are the most loving, adorable, funny, gently, affectionate dogs.
They give more back than any other dogs I have ever owned.
Even my best friend's Jack (whom I adore!) is less people orientated than my lurchers...