To think in MN land no one should have a dog?

[bluesapphirestars]

The only acceptable dog is a rescue, with a few exceptions, and rescues won’t rehome to people who WOTH or who have children, so that immediately rules most of mn out.

The only other acceptable alternative is to make the dog more than a pet, it’s a lifestyle, involving intensive breed research and so on. Again, not conducive to homes with children.

So in short - the verdict on MN is no dog.

(Semi light hearted!)

The points I made are taken directly from their breed characteristics. Yes, not all but majority are. They actually get reccomended elsewhere as family pets. The prey drive can be an issue but with the right hound and training, it can be managed. Any breed dog could want to chase a squirrel or cat, it's their nature. The toilet training and not lived with kids can be said with any rescue breed. I think those come with rescues, not breed specific. Toilet training a dog is pretty simple.

It's all personal opinion at the end of the day.

Personally I find greyhounds pretty boring and unappealing and they're not a breed I would go for. But lots of people dislike the breed I have and think I'm bonkers for having one, so it's swings and roundabouts

I have high-drive dogs, who I love and on whom I spend a fuck-ton of time and energy. I think of DH and I as a decent dog-owners (even if the dogs are quite often left, for 6 or 7 hours, with access to a kennel yard, when I go to work).

But I can see that our model of dog ownership wouldn't suit everybody and that some people do want 'low maintenance' dogs. It's a case of knowing what fits for you and will make for a contented dog as well as a contented family.

Genuine question. Ex racing greyhounds, do they tend to run up big vet bills for joint issues etc when they get older?

Labs tend to be smaller than greyhounds, tbh. And they are bred to retrieve.

They weight the same, and some weigh more than a greyhound. They may be trained to retrieve but their temperament is very boisterous meaning the jump around a lot, play on the rough side doesn't seem like a good idea with small children.

“Greyhounds are liked by some, but suiting one family doesn’t mean they will suit the majority of families.”

People tend to recommend what they own though... whether someone is describing that breed or not, lol...

People also recommend greyhounds because when people ask on here for breed recommendations half of them want a non barking dog that doesn’t shed a lot, doesn’t bring in mud and only wants an hour a day walking and will be calm in the house. There are very few breeds that actually describes.

@Carrotgirl87

Genuine question. Ex racing greyhounds, do they tend to run up big vet bills for joint issues etc when they get older?

Not in my experience but every breed will have their own medical requirements so I think that's a risk for any breed dog as they get older. If anything, greyhounds who have been bred to race are very healthy because they would have been an athlete.

And you really are the devil himself if you even consider letting your dog have puppies! Unless you want to be a professional dog breeder. In which case that's fine. 🐾🐾🐾

@GreytExpectations thanks. Was curious about that.

Greyhounds are liked by some, but suiting one family doesn’t mean they will suit the majority of families. They certainly don’t suit us, they’re far too big for us, I also want a dog I can regularly take on long distance runs, mud runs etc.

I agree with this, the truth is there is no single breed that is suitable to all families. It depends on what you want. Greyhounds have a lot of positive features that make them "easy" dogs, specially for first time owners. But it's not a one size fits all. OP, stated she think they aren't suitable for families at all, which is why I disagreed with.

Hmm - greyhounds do weigh more than labs generally speaking.

But the family/cat thing is more that as I’ve said the prey drive is possibly going to be difficult/upsetting for young children. And yes absolutely that’s not limited to greyhounds. But greyhounds are the dogs pushed on here a lot.

@GreytExpectations it's good that you live greyhounds and advocate for their rescue. They can indeed be calm, relaxed dogs (like whippets) BUT not everyone wants one. Every breed someone mentions you put down. Small 'yappy' dogs. Boisterous labradors (my brothers is a gentle, loving member of their family with a beautiful nature), on and on.

Just accept that other people don't want a rescue greyhound would you? The same way not everyone wants children or wants to live in a bungalow.

I love dogs, but prefer retrievers, terriers, labs, and poodle crosses. Plus miniature long hair daschhunds. A lot of people prefer certain breeds/breed types - why are they not allowed to?

Hmm - greyhounds do weigh more than labs generally speaking

They don't, a quick Google search will tell you that, they tend to weigh the same. It's because greyhounds fat content is less than a labs.

I just think you cant say they aren't suitable for all families when they aren't suitable for SOME families, ame as any breeds.

I've known greys to never catch a prey but then other breeds have killed small fluffy animals. If you are worried about a dog chasing a small animal than I doubt many dogs would be suitable for your family.

Meanwhile though IRL hundreds of thousands of dogs in the uk alone live happily and successfully in families with children under 8.

Yes, the way rescues treat families with kids doesn't make sense in a lot of cases. I was looking at the local rescue recently and there was a staff-mix puppy, no issues, and they would not consider a home with a child. All dogs over a certain size are considered unsuitable with kids in the shelters local to me.

I think it's bizarre, I've seen far more problems with kids and small dogs, and Amstaffs and bullies for the most part are great with kids and also with puppies, better than a lot of other dog breeds.

The other thing that is normal in the adoption contracts here is the rescue can remove the dog at any time if they think you aren't caring for it properly and you are to pay any legal bills associated with it. There is no way I'd agree to that kind of contract, so no rescue dogs for us.

Our dogs are typically working dogs, but we in many ways prefer crosses of appropriate breeds as they tend to have fewer health and temperament issues. In general though it's quite difficult to find any dogs like that, so it's usually been breeders for our dogs, which I don't prefer as I dislike the philosophy behind KC type breeding. An accidental litter would be ideal but that is hit and miss to find.

[quote Vodkacranberryplease]@GreytExpectations it's good that you live greyhounds and advocate for their rescue. They can indeed be calm, relaxed dogs (like whippets) BUT not everyone wants one. Every breed someone mentions you put down. Small 'yappy' dogs. Boisterous labradors (my brothers is a gentle, loving member of their family with a beautiful nature), on and on.

Just accept that other people don't want a rescue greyhound would you? The same way not everyone wants children or wants to live in a bungalow.

I love dogs, but prefer retrievers, terriers, labs, and poodle crosses. Plus miniature long hair daschhunds. A lot of people prefer certain breeds/breed types - why are they not allowed to?[/quote]
My issue isn't that some families won't want a grey, I totally accept that they won't suit all people or owners, as realistically no dog breed is perfect for everyone but the reasons I outlined are why greyhounds get reccomended.

My issue is that the OP stated they arent suitable for ALL families, I don't think that's a fair assumption to make because they can be suitable for quite a lot of families. I'm not suggesting everyone should own one, I'm suggesting you don't make such a sweeping generalisation like they aren't suited for any family.

Not chasing, killing. And of course other breeds do this. It is just that as I have already said these breeds don’t tend to get pushed quite so much on here.

Male labs weigh 29-36 kg. Male greyhounds are 27-40. They are also a lot taller.

Also I wasn't putting down other breeds, I was giving comparisons. As I stated its hypocritical to say a greyhounds size is the issue when you then say a heavier dog is fine. I never once said everyone should love greyhounds, I said they shouldn't be dismissed for all families.

“It is just that as I have already said these breeds don’t tend to get pushed quite so much on here.”

The thing is, I’ve recommended greyhounds to people on here, because what they describe they want is in fact a greyhound...

I’d not own one, they’re usually very sweet - but they’re no use at all if what you want is very active and very trainable.

greyt but you are taking that in isolation when I have put it alongside the fact that they are extremely fast with a strong prey drive.

I love big dogs. Love them.

But Labs are bred to retrieve. Hence they love balls and so on, chase it, bring it back. A big dog with a soft mouth who wants to play with a ball is one thing. A big dog with lightning speed and strong prey drive is another.

It isn’t the size as such that is the issue. But the size is also a consideration when you think of your average family: some are constrained a bit by space and just can’t physically fit a greyhound or lab or other big dog into their lives comfortably.

So I wouldn’t recommend a greyhound as a family pet for first time dog owners. That’s not a judgement on you and so please don’t take it as such.

@bluesapphirestars

Not chasing, killing. And of course other breeds do this. It is just that as I have already said these breeds don’t tend to get pushed quite so much on here.

Male labs weigh 29-36 kg. Male greyhounds are 27-40. They are also a lot taller.

Look OP, you don't like them, fine. I have explained your complaints and raised a lot of good points you have chosen to ignore, along with comparisons. All I was asking is that you don't make a sweeping, inaccurate generalisation such as saying they aren't suitable for any families when you really mean some families. All breeds have flaws but that doesn't mean they don't suit any family. For example, labs are known to be boisterous and can jump and rough play a lot, possibly dangerous for a child but you wouldn't say they don't suit families at all. Same as a greyhound can have a high prey instinct which may not be suitable when a child walks them, but that doesn't mean they are bad for all families.

So I wouldn’t recommend a greyhound as a family pet for first time dog owners. That’s not a judgement on you and so please don’t take it as such.

Except they do get reccomended by trained behaviourists with experience as a first time dog. I don't take it personally but it's not a good idea to make a generalisation about an entire breed. I've made my points and if you don't agree that's your own opinion.

you don’t like them

Yes I do.

Know what one of my favourite breeds is? Otterhounds. Bloody love them. But they are not suitable first time pets for families, for reasons similar to greyhounds actually - prey drive and size.

Op, can I ask what is your dog owning experience or have you worked with dogs or trained in dog behaviour?

Far too many people have dogs in completely unsuitable situations. I won’t apologise for calling them out on it

And I won't apologise for saying who on earth are you to decide what constitutes "unsuitable" and call anyone out?

I’ve always had dogs greyt, though not at present. Not an Otterhound, sadly. It’s on my list though