Grey hounds

[Gin4thewin4]

Looking into getting a greyhound..... hopefully rehomed.

Anybody who has a greyhound.....
Pros and cons please.

[Buttonitboris]

I had retired greyhounds, they were only 2yo when we got them. Wonderful companions, just want a soft bed and a pet and a little stroll twice a day. Downsides, if you sit on the sofa they'll try to flop onto you, they always get in the way but do fold up small! Also they're not playful dogs, at least mine weren't. They'd look at me as if I was an idiot if I threw a ball.

[Gin4thewin4]

I have been waiting on rehoming to get back to me but no joy.
I had been hoping to go down that route but have seen one actually on gumtree.... he is 6 months old.
Do you think this would be wise? I was always against gumtree sales of dogs.

[MsF1t]

I'd be worried that a 6 month old dog had been owned by clueless folk who couldn't handle the reality of a post-puppy hormonal adolescent dog. If you're very experienced, maybe- but better to go through a charity that assesses both dog and prospective new owner. Try looking into the smaller ones? There's a lady on here who worked with charity with Evesham in its name. No doubt someone'll already have linked!

[OliveToboogie]

Had my retired Greyhound 2 years now. Pros loving, loyal, sleep constantly con's say bye to your sofa and bed.

[MaidEdithofAragon]

Get one. No cons. Easy loving gentle low maintenance dogs. Love mine to bits

[Roodog]

I should think a 6 month old would be a different ball game from a retired/rescued racer. If you go through somewhere like Forever Hounds or Greyhound Trust they will assess you and the dog and offer support and advice. If you go with the one from Gumtree you're buying an unknown pup, it could all turn out wonderfully, or not, and you'd have no support if things didn't work out. Whereas through the rehoming groups they will even take the dog back if there are major issues.

We've had our grey a few months, came to us via Greyhound Trust. Pros are that he's totally chilled with people of all ages, and very good in the house and walking. Cons are that greys are not dogs who necessarily show lots of enthusiasm for games and activity, so bear that in mind.
We love ours and wouldn't swap him for the world. He will walk and walk, or sleep and sleep. He had no recall at first, slowly learning but I'm not sure he'll ever be off lead unless in a secure place.

[Letsnotargue]

It’s very unusual to get a greyhound that’s under 2 years old as they’re usually born into racing kennels and only rehomed once they have shown they’re no good for racing. I’d be a bit wary of a 6 month old one from Gumtree for a number of reasons.

Much as I love greyhounds (I’m on my third) they’re not ideal for all situations. They are rarely trustworthy off the lead, they tend not to play fetch, they love to steal the sofa and they can take over the whole thing with their gangly legs! Some can still have a strong prey drive so they need to be watched carefully around other dogs and they generally love to chase cats.

However, they are gorgeously goofy, they have huge hearts and tend to love a cuddle. They aren’t the fastest to learn things (training is a different beast with a greyhound) but they tend to be pretty laid back so that doesn’t tend to matter.

I love them because they’re lazy and loving and not so clever they’ll outsmart me. They don’t need hours of walking. But they’re not for everyone.

[sunflowersandbuttercups]

I know they're extremely popular on here, but I would say that they can have quite an aggressive play style, and not all dogs like it.

Also, as an observer (I'm a dog walker, though don't walk any greyhounds), many of the dogs I walk don't seem to like them and react, when they don't to any other breeds.

[Letsnotargue]

All the beds in the world, and he squishes himself on the human beanbag.

[Gin4thewin4]

I am a bit at a loss.

I turned down the 6 month old because it just seemed a bit dodgy. She had advertised a litter of 3 month old bitches too and it just struck me as puppy farming. So turned him down.

Have emailed 3 times to a specific place to adopt, have had no reply. Have rang and left my number etc etc and no response.
I do not have facebook but I can see on their public page that they are constantly advertising yet will not consider me? Is it because I have kids? What is it? My neighbour got one off them, younger kids than me?

I have sent through a questionnaire to another rehoming shelter, no word from them either yet advertising.

Bit sad about it all. Really want my big hound

[Gin4thewin4]

Letsnotargue. He is beautiful. I AM SO JEALOUS of your gorgeous companion.

Hoping one day I can post a pic of my buddy on here too. 💔

[MsF1t]

@Gin4thewin4

I am a bit at a loss.

I turned down the 6 month old because it just seemed a bit dodgy. She had advertised a litter of 3 month old bitches too and it just struck me as puppy farming. So turned him down.

Have emailed 3 times to a specific place to adopt, have had no reply. Have rang and left my number etc etc and no response.
I do not have facebook but I can see on their public page that they are constantly advertising yet will not consider me? Is it because I have kids? What is it? My neighbour got one off them, younger kids than me?

I have sent through a questionnaire to another rehoming shelter, no word from them either yet advertising.

Bit sad about it all. Really want my big hound

@Gin4 I think you need to be checking their FB pages or wherever they list dogs as they come in, and maybe comment there- I know you don't currently have an account, but it might be necessary to get one just for this. How old are your kids? Older kids are often considered for certain dogs. I have a 5 year old and got a quite positive home check despite that. It's entirely possible they're also really busy, sadly...

[OliveToboogie]

Just because my boy is so handsome

[Gin4thewin4]

He is so gorgeous

[gerbo]

We have just adopted an ex racer from Dogs Trust. Try Dogs Trust, Forever Hounds, Greyhounds Trust. Greyhounds Trust have branches all over the country.

Our boy is 4.5 and we've only had him 3 weeks but we love him lots already. Apparently naked are trickier to regime as they are larger, and black dogs are less popular too - superstitious reasons apparently! Guess what? Our lad is large and gorgeous shiny black!

Pros: gentle, placid. No jumping or yapping (some are bouncier than others I think but most are pretty calm) not much shedding, not smelly.
Minimal walks needed but some walk more than others- 2x 30 mins a day. Our lad came toilet trained and reasonably used to home life having been in foster care for a few weeks.

Cons: less interactive play than other breeds maybe.

They are a beautiful, unique, quirky breed. We are so pleased we took him. It was pretty stressful for a week but we're getting there.

[gerbo]

Autocorrect!!! Naked are trickier to regime = black dogs are trickier to rehome!!!

[gerbo]

No, correct again. MALES are trickier to rehome as they're bigger. Fgs.

[Gin4thewin4]

@gerbo do you mind me asking why the first week was stressful?

The rescue centre think they may have a match for me, they need to do assessments with it but will let me know tomorrow..... trying my best not to get my hopes up too much. Ive literally lost sleep over all this!!! Its ridiculous, I have become obsessed lol

[gerbo]

It was fear if the unknown I guess. He's our first family dog.

He bounded out happily and I realised he's proper enormous! Doubts about him in our small 3 bed house with small garden - turned out fine and now I see he's happy, doesn't need tons of space.
People's reactions- 'oh he's huuuuuge!' Etc. Realised after a short while that I had to let go of their slightly negative reactions, although people who know greyhounds love him and say how beautiful he is!
Worry about his reactions on walks - would he be reactive? (He's not) although sadly lots of small dogs seem to hate him- must be his size!
Lots of little things. Trying to contain my exuberant 11 year old, reminding him to give the dog space.....etc etc.

It's much much better now!

[gerbo]

Very exciting about your match! Congratulations.

[Gin4thewin4]

Yeah I know what you mean about peoples reactions. I have actually had people say that they have been blessed on their temperament side but not so much blessed with looks.
I think they are beautiful inside and out, they are wee gems.
Thank you so much, I am really crossing my fingers that after assessments are done he or she will be seen as able to live happily in our wee home.

[Definitelyrandom]

Ours is a big, black male greyhound, with a shiny coat like a seal. He has a "classic" elegant shaped head, like a racing bike saddle. I've only heard people say he's "lovely", "gorgeous", "handsome", but maybe they're polite round our way!

On the small dogs front, most seem to be fine, but there's a Jack Russell that we see sometimes on a longish lead, with his owner, an old chap, sitting on bench. Ours always trots over to the Jack Russell who barks when they get about a metre apart. Ours then shoots away. The old chap and I probably shouldn't find it funny, but we do.

[Gin4thewin4]

Update


I GET MY GIRL TOMORROW!!!!!!

[Definitelyrandom]

Best of luck!

[BadEyeBri]

You will have to post pictures 😍