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The doghouse

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Original poster

Help me persuade DP the dog for us is a greyhound!

73 replies

SpookhettiTwirlerAndProud · 18/10/2011 20:16

I have come to the conclusion that a retired greyhound would be the perfect dog for us, but DP isn't keen, infact he told me to fuck off when I first suggested it. I'm going to keep at it and i'd like you guys to help me persuade him!

Our situation : we have 4 month old DD (not planning on getting a dog till early next year, so she'll be 6+ months), and a rabbit who is never allowed free reign in house or garden (2 open fires and a veg patch means she can't come out). And i'm planning on not returning to work after mat leave, but if i have to go back it's only 2hrs a day in term time (i'm a school dinner lady) and DP works FT.

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FayHauntedKnights · 18/10/2011 20:22

Is he worried that they need lots of manic exercise? In reality they are lazy dogs and love nothing better than to loll about, they need a couple of short walks a day. My mum has 2 and they are fantastic with children, very gentle and happy to be brushed and stroked. They are hoovers though, so you have to put all food out of reach. There's a few greyhound owners on here who will be able to give you loads of pointers.

thisisyesterday · 18/10/2011 20:26

your rabbit may not be allowed free rein in the garden, but that won't necessarily stop the dog having a go at it and scaring it. remember they're trained to run after small furry things.... and every time the dog goes in the garden there will be the rabbitl...

that isn't to say that no greyhound can be rabbit friendly, I am sure there are some who wouldn't be bothered by it at all, but I am not sure you would be able to find that out before taking one on iyswim?

Original poster
SpookhettiTwirlerAndProud · 18/10/2011 20:37

I emailed our local RGT, and told them our situation, and got an email back earlier. He said that once the dog realises it's not allowed the rabbit it should lose interest, they've managed to rehome loads of GHs with rabbits. So i'm hopeful!

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DejaWho · 18/10/2011 21:02

I love Madam Pointynose to bits but by heck she's been hard work getting used to the retired life! She's fantastic now but for the first month we had her it was like "oh fuck this dog is utterly utterly untrainable what the hell have I done?" (With the training suddenly a lightbulb flicked on and she really started to get everything - to the extent jaws were on the floor in training class that night) She also doesn't show much interest in the rabbits at the local park - but I think she's just got to being an utter lazy bugger in her old age tbh!

With my hubby he was convinced hounds were "boring", gradually met a few (thanks to the random ones that walk near us) and in the end I tried a "you know it's the breed of dog I really really want" coupled with lots of fluttered eyelashes and he gave in. He loves her to bits now - and she is utterly hilarious to live with - it's best when she's trying to do the "sweet, innocent, adorable and look at me I'm doing a sit (not many hounds do - you can't seem to stop mine) that means you HAVE to give me what I want" routine but has completely ruined it by neglecting to make sure her tongue is actually still IN her gob and it's flopped out of the side making her look like the village idiot! I've got a curry I'm eating while by the PC now - and I'm getting the pitiful eyes of doom and chin rested on my arm trying to scrounge it.

Their noses get bloody everywhere though! There are places only my husband and GP should be furtling that I've had to prevent a hound trying to stick her nose into... oh and mine's a licker - and foot licking at 6am is a horrid, horrid way to wake up.

PM Scuttlebutter as the hound-expert, or DooMeCleanIn (and I ain't spelt that right) - we've only had Princess Pointynose a few months really.

Original poster
SpookhettiTwirlerAndProud · 18/10/2011 21:23

Thank you for that :) think DP doesn't want one as they're not cute enough and a bit too big. I'm almost tempted to tell him if we did things by looks I would never have agreed to go out with him! I think that's a bit mean though :o

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wailedfig · 18/10/2011 22:26

If you want to be really mean persuasive, you could tell him how much greys deserve a cosy retirement after the hard lives some of them have on the racetrack. If I read any of the rescue sites, detailing some of the conditions the dogs are rescued from, I'm practically picking up the phone to be home checked then and there.

And not cute enough? Those melting eyes? Those gentle paws? The delicate regal necks?

Scuttlebutter · 18/10/2011 22:37

I think there are several "lines of attack" with your DH. You could try telling him about the desperate need for rescue places for ex racers. The ones that get into rescue are the lucky ones - most of the others get shot or dumped in their thousands every year. That alone can be a very compelling argument for many people.

Not cute enough? [hshock] Well, just how cute do you want? Have we mentioned the melting pools of their enormous eyes? The silky lustrous fur? The supermodel looks? Their habit of leaning for a cuddle? They are total love sponges. I can email you any number of nauseatingly sickly photos of ours having cuddles, wearing their coats on walks and looking gorgeous, curled up on various rugs/sofas/beds, being adored by small children, patiently wearing home made fancy dress costumes and any number of teeth rottingly sweet pics. [hgrin]

Size - varies very considerably. We've got two enormous males and one very dainty petite female. To give some idea, weights are 38kg, 32kg and 26kg. And yes they are quite big dogs, but to be honest, I've had smaller dogs who have made their presence felt more if you see what I mean. Greys tend to be quite laid back in the house (when not stealing food) so don't keep mithering you for attention every five minutes. Believe me if you have a tiny JRT they will make their presence felt in no uncertain terms - bouncing round all over the place.

Many greyhound charities hold regular greyhound walks, or greyhound playdates. These are an ideal opportunity for you to go along, and completely without any obligation, have a good look, ask questions, meet some hounds and see what you think.

Would warn you though, once you start with a grund, one is never enough.....

Original poster
SpookhettiTwirlerAndProud · 19/10/2011 08:34

By cute I mean smaller and fluffier. He's used to spaniels and chows. He says he wants one that's no taller than the settee, although now I think about it, he didn't say which side of the settee, the front or back [persuasive grin]

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Original poster
SpookhettiTwirlerAndProud · 19/10/2011 08:38

Oh and LGT (lincolnshire GH trust) near us regularly come to our town and have a stall with a few of the dogs. Hopefully they'll be here again soon and I can somehow get DP into town to accidently on purpose walk by them :o

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DejaWho · 19/10/2011 10:21

They're meant to be one of the good RGT branches from what I heard (steer clear of the Notts one over near Newark).

As for comedy value - my husband's just sent me a picture of what he's wearing to work today. The hound rearranged all the shoes on the shoe rack in the kitchen, he didn't bother to check what he was putting on his feet and has rolled in for his management position work (so allegedly responsible enough to do things like dress himself) wearing one work shoe and one trainer.

Original poster
SpookhettiTwirlerAndProud · 19/10/2011 11:20

:o rearranged the shoes!

The LGT always seem to be at our town, they're always really nice too. I bet now I really want them to come they won't for ages [hhmm] I recieved an email off them yesterday which was really nice and positive, it even had a little smiley face :o

scuttle your dogs are gorgeous, I especially love the fudgey coloured one! what is that colour? Somehow 'fudgey' doesn't seem right. . . .

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Original poster
SpookhettiTwirlerAndProud · 19/10/2011 22:24

Anyone else want to help me?

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Scuttlebutter · 19/10/2011 23:11

Thank you Spook [hsmile] We think they're gorgeous too.... [hgrin]

I think the official description is Red Fawn but we call him Blondie, Mr. Blonde, the Blonde Alarm Clock and so on... He arrived as a foster but never left [hblush] and is a darling old boy. He's 11, almost 12, and this year he did his Gold Kennel Club GCC award and we are also thinking of him doing PAT, on the advice of our class tutor who is an assessor for them. He is utterly, utterly adorable, the sweetest, gentlest, loveliest, funniest dog imaginable. What makes him even more special is the bloody dreadful life he had in his younger years - still has some physical scars, but we are so humbled and amazed by the way he is still so gentle and loving.

After we had our first two greys (both black) there was a certain amount of what you might call wardrobe reconfiguration - basically I stepped up on buying clothes that would go with black dog hair. Occasional fosters of other colours weren't a problem as they were more transient. Cue Blondie's arrival and now whatever we wear will end up with highly visible dog hair. Sigh.

And how could your DH possibly resist a dog that can rearrange shoes? [hgrin] One of ours (one of the black ones) is a collector of kitchen implements - he secretes things like can openers, serving spoons etc. We are still missing a potato masher that he has hidden somewhere. I suspect an archaeologist of the future will find it.

DejaWho · 20/10/2011 07:54

How could anyone resist the sight I've got at the moment? Little pointy nose and big brown eyes lying on the sofa, teddy under her paw (yep she's got a teddy who she loves.... and catches... and throws up in the air... and loves... and chews a bit), nose peeking over the cushions propped up on the arm of the chair to see what I'm up to!

Plus there's so much shopping you can do (not that this might not strike terror into the heart of your husband instead) - wonderful martingale collars, tag collars, coats, pyjamas (he won't let me do the pyjama thing :( )!

Original poster
SpookhettiTwirlerAndProud · 20/10/2011 20:55

He wants a puppy. I categorically do not. Maybe before DD yes, but I already have 1 baby to look after, I don't want another one! And it would be me looking after said puppy as he works all day and I don't! I just want a nice calm dog who has gone past the puppy stage and is just happy to slounge around all day!

And pyjamas? WTAF? Pyjamas for a greyhound!?! Confused

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Original poster
SpookhettiTwirlerAndProud · 20/10/2011 20:57

Oh and just incase you're wondering, slounge = slob + lounge :o

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LordOfTheFlies · 20/10/2011 21:48

One good "selling" point (but not for you as it'll make extra work) is they will make you keep your kitchen worktops spotlessly clean of food or they will hoover it.
You could be making a rod for your own back Grin. Or your DH might offer to keep the kitchen worktops clear to avoid looking like a cyclone has waded through your kitchen. Could be an advantage.

Scuttle will tell you the sad tale of the ButterDish...

wailedfig · 20/10/2011 22:28

If only they came in short-leg sizes....

It's OK because greyhounds need to keep warm

Scuttlebutter · 20/10/2011 22:37

[hgrin] Yes, I am like the Ancient Mariner who is compelled to tell the tale of the dish...

Wailedfig - ours have the AK housecoats. They keep them lovely and snuggly at night.

And don't forget that many greys come off the track at a very young age, many at about 18 months to two years. You will be having a very young dog, who will probably live to their mid teens without any of the hassle of a puppy. And clean worktops - who could ask for more?! [hwink]

LordOfTheFlies · 20/10/2011 22:38

The black hound in the photo looks so miffed [hgrin]

But I do like the Skull& Crossbones pattern...

Scuttlebutter · 20/10/2011 22:40

Oh, and continuing the pyjama theme, ours have regular greyhound sleepovers with their chums, and many greyhound charities organise greyhound playdates. See, this is a whole new world of fun. Fun, I tell you,and clean worktops.

LordOfTheFlies · 20/10/2011 22:55

On a serious note (she says sternly) IMHO the fact that they have a short working career, then redundancy/retirement means they really deserve a second chance.
They don't have a pampered homelife of your average housedog. It's a pretty sparse, routine led life.

And, as you say Scuttle, the lucky ones get to rehoming kennels. Where they might remain. The very lucky ones get rehomed and get the chance to enjoy the homelife.

Makes you sad for the ones that don't get the second chance. (There's a thread on here somewhere, "A night at the Dogs". Makes sobering reading)

CointreauVersial · 20/10/2011 23:00

They fart a lot. DP will be able to pretend it wasn't him. Grin

interregnum · 20/10/2011 23:00

Don't listen to Scuttlebutter Op our two never pinch off the worktop,dirty kitchen bins are another thing altogether though.

Joolyjoolyjoo · 20/10/2011 23:07

Greyhounds are the sweetest dogs imaginable! Calm and loving and really want nothing more than a nice warm home to sleep in. I do a lot of work with greyhound charities and the dogs are adorable- beautiful beasts with such sad back-stories Sad. Take your DH to a greyhound charity walk and let him meet them. My DH used to think they were "skinny and odd" [grr] but having met a few he has definitely changed his tune, and I wouldn't be surprised if we ended up with one when our present crazy (but elderly) beagles have shuffled off.

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