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The doghouse

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Does a greyhound make a good family dog? how about ex-racer?

6 replies

ThePsychicSatsuma · 19/03/2012 19:57

how about rescue puppies/dogs?

kids are both over 3

got big garden, and someone would always be in.

am wondering - are greyhounds 'gentle'? obviously any type of dog can be 'nasty' but do they make good family dogs?
are ex-racers safe in family environment?
would they need more walking than 45mins per day-ish?

OP posts:
GrittersWifeAndProud · 19/03/2012 21:26

Come and chat on the 'pointy hounds thread', there's a whole bunch of us grund enthusiasts and experts :)

MissBetsyTrotwood · 19/03/2012 22:06

Though, in short, our ex racer's gentle, loving, as 'safe' as a dog could ever be around children (ours are 3 and 5) and exists on one 45 min morning walk and a slow 20/30 mins in the afternoon. He sleeps the rest of the time, surfacing for the odd crazy 5 minutes in the garden, a cuddle, a lean and food.

20 mins twice a day does just fine though.

Scuttlebutter · 19/03/2012 22:28

Like all breeds of dog, there are variations.

In the same way, not all children get on with dogs. Grin

Broadly though, most greyhounds are gentle, laid back dogs. They don't need huge amounts of exercise, though will enjoy it if you provide it. If you want a dog that will do a 20 mile run and still have energy, they are not the dog for you. I'd also say they are not particularly bright but have certain specialised skills, including farting, counter surfing, sofa hogging, bed stealing and squirrel spotting.

Some find the loud hurly burly of very noisy family environments a bit much. Lots on here live very happily in family environments but this is something to bear in mind. For instance, ours hate it if we shout - not that we did much anyway, but now it means if we need to argue we do it very quietly, which is probably a good thing. Smile

Definitely pay a visit to the Pointy thread. Lots of rescue charities also run meet and greets, or greyhound walks so you can go along, meet a few hounds and ask lots of questions without any obligation. If you want to say where roughly in the UK you are, we can point (gedddit!!) you at the right charity.

Good luck!

By the way, they are completely addictive - one is never enough.

ThePsychicSatsuma · 20/03/2012 18:57

Smile at quiet arguments...

3 yr old vs 5 yr old are rather noisy..

OP posts:
MissBetsyTrotwood · 20/03/2012 19:03

My 3yo decided pasta with SAUCE was the devil's food this evening (he liked it yesterday) and had the mother of all tantrums on the sofa. Not even the promise of dinner in front of Octonauts was working and the bowl had been shoved onto the coffee table. Our ex racer calmly walked up, gave him a little nuzzle in the face as the tears and snot raised down then turned around and helpfully ate his dinner for him. Blush

Needless to say, 3yo was v grateful. Ours doesn't seem to be one that minds drama!

Merrylegs · 20/03/2012 19:14

Honestly? I would say depends on the dog. I have known nice greyhounds and not so nice.

My friend had a rescue greyhound that didn't work out (snappy, aggressive) and now has one that is lovely.

An ex-racer rescue greyhound attacked and nearly killed my whippet when he was a puppy - saw him as prey and rounded on him out of the blue.

In general ex-racers are not cat friendly - something to bear in mind if you have many cats near you - they can chase and kill.

They are also very big - something to bear in mind if your children are little.

They can be 'whiny' and have seperation anxiety.

Sorry to paint the down side, but I think it's really important to know what the worst could be.

The best, of course, as any pointy hound owner will tell you, is that they are calm and loyal, can easily survive on 45 minutes walking, but will also love more, sleep most of the day, will try and curl up on your lap like a cat and are of course quite the most beautiful of dogs.

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