To wonder why MN always suggests greyhounds?

[Ilikegreyhoundsbut]

Fair enough if someone is just asking general dog advice but twice this week I’ve seen someone stipulate they need a dog without a strong prey drive and that is small / medium sized and been told to look at greyhounds.

I know everyone insists not all greyhounds have strong prey drives but that’s what they are bred for!

AIBU to think perhaps it’s a bit daft? I sometimes wonder if posters are having a joke but they aren’t.

Yeah I agree, I know that they need homes but they’re not always a suitable family pet. Especially the ex-racers which haven’t had the cosy, cuddle indoor life that posters want to give them and can come with their own issues.

Staffies are squarely #2 on the list of MN sponsored dogs though, closely followed by lurchers.

Any mix breed is named a mongrel, bonus points if it’s got some twee portmanteau

Some greyhounds simply don't have the chasing instinct and are lovely pets. But if you are particularly looking for a dog without a prey drive then, no, as a general rule they wouldn't be suitable.

We have 2 Lurchers.. 1 was a working ddog. She is great with our dcat! Most rescues do a' dcat test'.

It’s a bit like why all MN boys must be called Christopher nn Kit and why everyone must economise by shopping at Aldi, even if they live on Mull.

For the same reason people come out with other stupid suggestions.. they do not know what they think they know.

For example, on another thread currently, a breed known not to be particularly readable, that already has behaviour problems, owners struggling for time - suggestion 'Borrow My Doggy'...

Yes, let's lend that dog who is already struggling, is not easy to read, has behaviour issues - to total strangers who will almost certainly NOT have the skills to help and may well end up making matters worse and putting themselves and their children at risk! Cracking idea!

Greyhounds are great, I love 'em, I've had several both of my own and fosters, but they aren't for everyone.

Some have no prey drive and are tiny, for some people a tall dog that folds up small takes up less space than a shorter, heftier dog that doesn't.

But those are the outliers, most ex racing greys are big, clumsy, have a fair bit of prey drive and need to learn how to be a dog. Not actually what a lot of folk want!

@ShirleyPhallus

Yeah I agree, I know that they need homes but they’re not always a suitable family pet. Especially the ex-racers which haven’t had the cosy, cuddle indoor life that posters want to give them and can come with their own issues.

Staffies are squarely #2 on the list of MN sponsored dogs though, closely followed by lurchers.

Any mix breed is named a mongrel, bonus points if it’s got some twee portmanteau

Any mixed breed in a mongrel because that's literally what mongrel means. I think grey hounds are often suggested as great pets because they are generally very laid back and lazy with just the odd short burst of energy. Probably not right for someone who wants a small dog with low prey drive though!

Because people don't read the OP, or have an agenda to push and don't care if their suggestions are totally ridiculous or inappropriate.

But that’s also why I find them a weird suggestion for a family pet that would be on walks and live a reasonably active lifestyle … but maybe it’s just me!

As a general rule they are not that active apart from short bursts - speed rather than stamina. There are, of course, always exceptions and my OH recently passed a greyhound happily walking up a mountain in the Lake District and apparently loving it! (I have a GH - typical couch potato who would HATE trekking in the Lakes.)

They are absolutely wonderful, daft as a brush dogs - and they're definitely "my" breed... but they're not for everyone and if you don't have a big house, spare sofa and have kids galumphing around - a giraffe dog with legs everywhere is possibly not for you!

Their farts are also a bloody biological weapon.

Lovely dogs but I agree they are often touted as an option regardless of what the OP has actually said they wanted!

Any mixed breed in a mongrel because that's literally what mongrel means.

Historically I’d have agreed with you but it seems the definition has changed a bit to exclude internationally mixed breeds and more refers to mixes with unknown / multiple / unintentional breeds

I have had 2 ex-racers as pets and both were very very affectionate right from leaving the track. I've never met one that wasn't! HOWEVER greyhounds are more like giant cats than dogs. They are quite sensitive souls who like a quiet life and mine never learnt how to play.

I don't get the love for them at all. My friend has 3 and is never away from the vets as they seem to have skin made from tissue paper and run headlong into all manner of obstacles. They also spend all day farting

I'm afraid I really dislike them.

I get that they are often nice natured dogs and make good pets, but for me

1. Can't stand the skinny look
2. I'm not keen on very smooth haired dogs
3. they are not cuddly - all legs
4. I want a dog to trot along for 2 hour walks, that is not how they liek to walk
5. Don't want any dog with a prey drive.
6. They are huge (well, try greyhounds are)

Give me a scruffy terrier or a spaniel any day, or a good old heinz variety.

Just here hoping for greyhound pics

@steppemum

I'm afraid I really dislike them.

I get that they are often nice natured dogs and make good pets, but for me

1. Can't stand the skinny look
2. I'm not keen on very smooth haired dogs
3. they are not cuddly - all legs
4. I want a dog to trot along for 2 hour walks, that is not how they liek to walk
5. Don't want any dog with a prey drive.
6. They are huge (well, try greyhounds are)

Give me a scruffy terrier or a spaniel any day, or a good old heinz variety.

Well isn’t that the fab thing about dog breeds? See I don’t like spaniels, find them irritating and needy. But I love greys & lurchers. All the properties you don’t like about them, I like.

Also they are cuddly. But as someone said above, they are more like cats. When they have had enough they just curl up and ignore you.

Also my 1/2 grey 1/2 whippet used to happily walk 2 hours. He’s too old now

@MintyGreenDream just for you!
They are often recommended as they are, generally, easy dogs. The ex-racers (mine is one, he was pretty good) like their creature comforts as much as any other dog and anyone who thinks they don’t like cuddles has never met a greyhound! Ours is much more affectionate than the collies and boxers I’ve had.

Once you’ve got one, you often do find that you have joined the Cult of the Houndies. I’m a proud member. We all worship at the altar of the proud, noble breed: adoring the impressive snoot, the gazelle-like legs and velvety ears.

However, they aren’t suitable if you have small furries, like your own personal space or want to trek up rocky mountains. They are used to having “staff” and can be bemused by concepts such as getting into cars on their own or climbing stairs. Probably not for you if you want a member of doggy Mensa either.

@MintyGreenDream

Just here hoping for greyhound pics

Very happy to oblige 😊

Thanks for the pics! I have Chihuahuas but I love Greyhounds

YANBU. Especially when people are having their first ever dog, greyhound is not an ideal breed at all

I agree with what everyone else says, you always have to take any 'advice' here with a pinch of salt as people will very confidently pronouce the Absolute Truth on any matter from employment law to neurological diagnoses to dog breed characteristics when really they only know a little bit about said matter (and as we all know a little knowledge is a dangerous thing).

On the activity point though, I think the thing is that many people (here and in real life) massively overestimate their activity levels. They say things like 'we're a really active family, we love going for long hikes and bike rides' when what they really mean is in the week they are super busy with work, school, kids clubs etc and can't actually fit many walks in for the dog at all, and then at weekends again kids have activities (which are probably active but dog will be on sidelines rather than joining in) and you visit family and friends, you have to fit in chores and often someone's sick or tired, so maybe once a month (in summer) you actually fit a long walk/ride in although if it starts raining or the kids get tired or someone falls over or gets a puncture you end up stopping for a drink and sit down pretty frequently. No shame in that, that was my lifestyle for years when DC were small but really just because you sometimes walk for 3 hours you do not want to get a dog that needs 3 hour walks to be sane, you'd be much better off with something like a greyhound (or better yet a toy or terrier breed that can be picked up and carried if they get tired) that can manage it occasionally but is happier with short walks...

@QueenofLouisiana my friend has adopted a rescue mix with a lot of hound in her and has complained “it’s like I have a bloody cat”. As a cat lover I think her hound is perfect and noble!

There's a lot needing adoption whenever you look through the rescue sites, because they're too big people are concerned. They do have nice natures