Adopting ex race dog

[Mybrowneyedgal]

Has anyone done this? I'd like to hear your experiences.

[AvocadosBeforeMortgages]

As in a greyhound?

I've not myself, but I know many people here have them and love them, and I've never met one in real life that I didn't like! @cmotdibbler is probably the doghouse's expert

[Popetthetreehugger]

We had 2 for years , the rehoming centre put them together in a kennel for a week to see that they got on ,and , off we went ! Ours were lovely, fantastic with the family,if I were to ever have a dog again I'd go for one again .
Pluses
Lovely nature, don't surprisingly need lots of walking .
Minuses
Ours didn't like small dogs ( too rabbit like?) and don't fold up at all , so will fill the floor when they lay down , which will probably be in front of cooker or fridge ! I have a friend that has one and a tiny Yorkie who are devoted to each . So I know it can be done !

[MarchSurprise]

My boy is an ex racer and he's just the best dog I could have asked for.

When first bringing him home it's almost like having a big puppy as you're introducing them to everything for the first time. They've never met other breeds of dogs so it's all new.

They can't be a little shut off to start with but they come around quickly. They're clean dogs so housetraining is usually quick, immediate in my case.

They are big goofy dogs, sleep a lot but love to play and they give so much back. You won't regret it!

[79andnotout]

Yes I have one and I'm about to get another. They're like big cats (we also have two cats). I have a small house but lots of sofas and there is always a pet on a sofa in every room. They rotate around in their favourite spots.

The only downside with mine is that she likes to build a 'nest' on my bed and has ripped through my bed sheets several times doing so. I've had to downgrade my thread count so it's more resistant to her long claws.

[Mybrowneyedgal]

Yes as I'm a grey hound. They sound lovely. I have always wanted to home one but I have never met anyone who has. There temperaments sound ideal for me. I have two cats and two young children so my priority is that the can live happily together. Being racing dogs I wondered if it would be difficult to home them with cats?

[CMOTDibbler]

There are less ex racing greyhounds that can live with cats as alas they are often trained in ways to reinforce running after small furry things. However there are younger dogs who don't race because they are rubbish at chasing things who may be suitable.

If you like pointy dogs, there are lots and lots of lurchers in rescue too (I'm biased, I have two lovely lurchers and three cats plus an ever changing cast of foster puppies) and there are a lot of 6 month old ish pups that come in when they don't work out for coursing.
I adore pointies, and they are such fab dogs. Nothing gives me more pleasure than watching them run. Or sleep upside down in a tangle of legs

79andnotout - ddog1 loves to scrape around on my bed to make a nest too. He doesn't do it to ds's bed, so is now banned from my bedroom due to the same sheet problem

[Sexnotgender]

I’ve got an ex racer (well he’s actually a failed racer) and 2 cats.

There’s an uneasy alliance between them. He’s great though, lovely natured dog.

[Sexnotgender]

However there are younger dogs who don't race because they are rubbish at chasing things who may be suitable.

This!

[CMOTDibbler]

I forgot the dog photos!

[Hawkmoth]

I love these threads and always advise buying a bin lock. They truly are scruffs when it comes to leftovers and food containers.

Our ex racer happily shares with four (3-13, youngest was one when we got him) children and one of out two cats, the other cat being too scary for him.

We also have a saluki cross, lurcher type that we got as a puppy who he loves and bosses about. She's also fine with everyone apart from our teen girl who hates being licked.

Other advice is to get a big crate, not to lock him in, but to keep everyone else out. Beds may not last as long as you think due to digging. Get throws for your sofas (ours likes to be covered up like a baby) and prepare for the world of housecoats and dog pyjamas.

Oh, and they don't like wind and rain so we still have the odd accident in foul weather because, soft as they are, it can be impossible to get them out.

Last thing, our big guy doesn't do toys or play much, other than the occasional zoomie. The girl does though.

[Hawkmoth]

Here he is panned out on the couch.

[Sexnotgender]

Great photo mine has never tried to get on the sofa!

[Girlwhowearsglasses]

I meet them in parks a lot as I have a whippet and pointy dogs always say hello to each other.

They are usually lovely dogs, but nearly all of them are never off-lead in parks due to being used to running so far, the owners tell em
There are quite a few places with secure fenced fields that you can pay to wxcercose dogs off lead - maybe ask the rescue centre about this?

Beautiful hounds

[79andnotout]

I walk mine off lead (she will sometimes chase things but will slow down enough if you shout at her to let it get away).

However, if she decides she's had enough she starts to take herself home and I have to peg it to catch up (she walks slowly to give me a chance but her slowly is my running pace). I also live at the top of a big hill and if she decides to go that way it's like the bloody travellator on Gladiators trying to catch her up.

[79andnotout]

After ripping another duvet...

[marblesgoing]

I have two adopted ex racers.

One I've had for three years the other for five months.

They are my fur babies.
They have jumpers,coats,pjs,head boppers and so many soft cuddly toys they have a storage chest to keep them all in.

They are spoilt brats but I figure they deserve it after the start in life they've had.

[GeraldineFangedVagine]

I have an ex racer. She’s the absolutely best girl! I love her so much, she’s no trouble. I love watching her learn about the world, as previous posters mentioned, they have to learn everything when they leave kennels. She lives with my cat (who hates her, but he hates everyone) and three small kids. She’s a playful but calm dog and likes nothing better Theban curling up in bed with me. I’ve been ill recently and she’s been like a hairy private nurse, watching me all day. I would deffo recommend one to anyone!

[Gottobefree]

AMAZING dogs/breed ! I've adopted two racing greyhounds.

Sweet nature, loving, funny and very relaxed ! you will love one x

[Mybrowneyedgal]

Thank you all so much. I love looking at the photos. And the advice has confirmed that this type of dog would be perfect for us!

[OliveToboogie]

I have ex racer big couch potato and the love of our lives.

[SunnySummerDays]

A friend has one and he is gorgeous. Sweet and soft and loves a cuddle. Had trouble learning to do stairs and curl his legs into a basket though. He likes to sleep but is partial to chasing cats and squirrels.

[Soontobe60]

We adopted a lurcher. Had him for 12 years. When he arrived, our 2 cats left home in disgust and moved in with next door neighbour! He was a tricky boy, hated going to the vets and had to be tranquillised before each visit, didn't like strangers in our house as he got older, and would try to nip them. Absolutely loved running in circles! Didn't scavenge food andnwould wait patiently to be fed. He needed walking 2x a day for a quick 10 minute run but would then spend the rest of the day on his chair. We loved him to bits!

[Soontobe60]

Forgot the pic

[BonnyE]

I love my greyhound so much he's simply lovely. I also truly believe he helped me through a hard time of IF. Things to be aware of:

1. Ours is fab with DD and we've been super strict with her. They have thin skin so any nipping/grabbing is an absolute no no (as it is with any dog and I'm sure you'll do the right things as you're obviously giving it thought). They'll likely be nervous at first so make sure DCs give plenty of space. They tend to "freeze" when unhappy so can sometimes be difficult to read. They're quite subtle.
2. Ours is fantastic with small dogs but wouldn't be cat suitable at all (5 year racing career....!) From PPs it seems to be possible but be very careful. Homing centre can advise.
3. Separation anxiety. We've struggled and took a lot of hard work and patience. I sometimes wonder whether his age didn't help so a younger one could be good from that perspective too.
4. Flatulence. Beware. Beware. Beware. Nothing can prepare you for the horror....
5. They can be prone to corns which are a real pain. Just be aware of that if you start walking lots on concrete / hard surfaces. Softer surfaces are better.
6. Be prepared to keep on a lead.....! Until you have one legging it away from you at 40mph towards a distant squirrel you won't fully understand why
7. Be prepared to fall head over heels in love and fight the urge to go back to the kennels for more!

Keep us updated. And photos!

[Claredogmum]

I have three greyhounds and a lurcher. Brilliant dogs but only the lurcher could live with cats. None of mine are ever off the lead. I've had seven in total over the last 15 years and the first two I was able to let off the lead. They current four have high prey drives so will always be on the lead. We have a big garden though so zoomies are common. Funny none of mine have ever ripped a sheet or duvet. I second the previous poster who said about the crate. We have two that are like caves, covered in a throw with the doors open. It gives them their own space to hide and sleep in peace. From mr experience they are healthy dogs but factor in the cost of a dental. They always have dodgy teeth. All mine have had to have dental work.