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Original poster

Are you a Greyhound, Whippet or Lurcher owner? Come and have a seat on yet another pointy hounds cushion!

999 replies

TheCunnyFunt · 08/09/2013 17:53

Pointy hounds include-
Greyhounds (Grunds)
Whippets (Whippys)
Lurchers
Italian Greyhounds (Iggys)
Salukis
Afghans
And any others I have forgotten. If you are a new pointy hound owner, an old and experienced owner or looking into getting one of these fabulous creatures, come and have a seat (that's not taken up with a hound ).

Share stories, advice and shopping tips!
AK Creations
Dog O Nine Tails
Doggy Bags Bakery
Kitsch Collars
Meggie Moo
[[http://www.milgicoats.co.uk/ Milgi Coats
Silver Peacock

Come The Day
Come the day I take that final bend,
Can I count on you to be my friend?
To see I?m treated just and fair,
It means so much to know you care.

For, what the future holds in store,
Now that I can race no more,
Should be addressed for every hound,
Who parts the punter from his pound.

Tell them I don?t ask for much,
A kindly word, a gentle touch,
Somewhere warm to lay my head,
A meal each day to keep me fed,
Not just life- but quality,
This is how it ought to be.

Do not see me swept away,
I long to live another day,
With peace of mind, tranquillity,
And those who care surrounding me,
So tell them all- you have that choice,
I beg of you to be my voice.

By Denise Dubarbier.

OP posts:
cinnamongreyhound · 22/10/2013 14:24

Hi IsisOhIsis, I have an ex-racing greyhound and had another one who we lost in May after 8 1/2 years. I've always loved Greyhounds and got her when i broke up with my ex as he didn't want a dog. She was great company and although a very nervous dog she got used to my dh when I met him and the children we now have as well as those I childmind! We have Peanut now who has settled very well with us, he's much bigger but similar temperament to Nelly, just not as nervous as she had clearly been mistreated at some point.

That's great YourHandInMyHand!

IsisOhIsis · 22/10/2013 18:42

Thanks :) I'm going to the rescue tomorrow, can't wait. I'm a bit worried they won't be thrilled at the fact I have a 2yo but there's nothing on their website about not rehoming to families with children so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

yourhand, that's so lovely that she's gaining confidence! How long have you had her?

IsisOhIsis · 22/10/2013 18:44

cinnamon, that's great, I'm looking at the ex racers. I

PeanutPatty · 22/10/2013 20:03

Isis, I'd be interested to know their policy on young kids. Have a couple of my own which I think has been a deterrent.

Magrit, Piper is stunning. WANT.

cinnamongreyhound · 22/10/2013 22:23

RGT had no problems with children but they didn't cat test at the branches we went to :(

PeanutPatty · 22/10/2013 22:46

The way things are going here it might not be necessary for us to have a dog that is cat tested and the sodding cat deems us not worthy to be its main residence any longer! The cat has not been home for days. I have spotted the smug puss cruising the neighbourhood, so we know that the cat is well and breathing!

IsisOhIsis · 23/10/2013 01:12

I'm not a cat fan so that's not a problem for me. They all say on the website they're not cat safe though. have you been turned down, then, peanutpatty? Did they not give a reason?

IsisOhIsis · 23/10/2013 12:05

So we went to the rgt today and walked a lovely girl, she seemed really calm and chilled out. The man said she's aggressive with cats and small dogs. I don't see this as a problem, I don't like cats so won't be getting one and would probably only have one dog at a time,anyway. I expected it really as Theyre obviously bred for it, but he said that's put people off. Going to go and see her again on Saturday and maybe also Sunday and then perhaps take her on a trial basis of a week or two. would you see this as a problem?

The other thing is, they said the advice they give is never to take out without a muzzle and never to let them off the lead, ever! He said its unlikely they'd come back. Is this what everyone does?

MagratGarlik · 23/10/2013 12:38

Hi Isis, glad you've found a girl you might adopt (exciting!).

With respect to leads, muzzles etc, our girl must be muzzled when off lead. We think she used to be worked and is very cat aggressive. We tend not to muzzle her when she is on the lead, but I know owners of many ex-racers do. The dogs are used to being muzzled, so don't think of it as cruel to them.

When it comes to walking off lead, ours are not let off e.g. in our small, local park which is close to the main road, but we do let them off in areas where we have good visibility and not much chance of coming across small furries, or areas which are enclosed So, we let them off on the beach and there are a number of fields close to us where we can let them off reasonably safely. Ours are not greys, obviously, but I think similar guidelines tend to be used for greys too. Obviously they need a good run once in a whilewhile (doesn't need to be everyday), but finding a suitable enclosed field is usually possible - probably the RGT people will know somewhere.

We were told not to let ours off until at least 6 weeks after adoption to allow time for them to bond with us as a family. That said, our girl escaped from her collar once shortly after we had her, but thankfully stayed close to us (she was being chased by 3 off lead dogs and she panicked).

IsisOhIsis · 23/10/2013 14:01

Thanks for that, magrat. Would you be happy to take a dog that had been described as aggressive towards small furry types, then? It surprised me how much the man seemed to be warning me. He did say he thought she'd make a fantastic family dog and he'd be happy to have her around his young children. shes never shown any aggression towards people. When we walked her she was good on the lead, seemed very calm and happy, did prick her ears up and start lickibg her lips when we saw a cat but no barking, pulling etc. So I'm not sure what the problem would be unless I had cats or teacup yorkies or something! Am I missing something major?

I would be very much on top of keeping her well trained and making sure she knew where she was in the pack, I.e below dd, as I would with any dog so that's the main thing, surely.

MagratGarlik · 23/10/2013 15:37

Our girl is aggressive towards small furries (though not small dogs, which she seems very good at recognizing they are dogs). The problem is if she is off the lead and sees something small, furry, she will be gone (and being a sight hound she will see it long before I do). If she sees a cat, she will literally start howling on the lead and we have to make sure no-one answers the door before the dogs are shut away (because if she saw a cat across the street she'd be out of the door). If a cat dared come into our garden, I'm not convinced the 6ft fences, or her arthritis would stop her chasing it. She is exceptionally gentle with people though.

With respect to training and pack theory, there is lots of evidence that pack theory is now out-dated, but, after you've had the dog for a month or so, get her booked into training classes with a trainer who uses positive methods. If your dd is old enough, get your dd involved in training too. Training really helps to develop a bond between you and the dog and is a good way to help your dog socialize in a controlled environment.

With respect to your dd, make sure you have some rules (what she may/may not do) which are easy for her to remember and try to make a space where the dog can get away (and dd is not allowed to go). Both ours have crates, but not everyone has the room for them, or can bare the sight of the ugly things!

IsisOhIsis · 23/10/2013 15:57

Oh, that's interesting about the pack theory, do you have any links I could have a look at?

Thanks for all the advice, we don't have room for a crate but her bed would be in a secluded spot and dd wouldn't be allowed near it. I'll start looking around for some training classes

IsisOhIsis · 23/10/2013 18:28

Thank you, they were all really interesting. I should point out, when I talked about "packs" I absolutely did not mean I would use any kind of harsh methods or punishment, just that I would make sure she was well trained. I am a very loving and affectionate dog owner! apparently the girl I'm looking at is fond of her food so I reckon a pocketful of treats will do the job :)

PeanutPatty · 23/10/2013 20:18

As Magrat said those issues are fine in the safety of your own house and garden. It would be out on walks when you can't control all the elements such as other dogs coming up to you. Perhaps a Yellow Dog bandana or vest "I need space" might be an investment? I've read about owners using public tennis courts for off lead exercise as they tend to be fully enclosed and with a gate. Obviously only to be used out of hours.

We've not been turned down as such, one rescue has poor comms and I feel my time and others when I have enquired have commented about our children being too young. We are in no rush for a dog so we will wait and search patiently.

cinnamongreyhound · 23/10/2013 20:30

My concern would be how careful you'll have to be, dh lets ours out all the time and if they were interested in chasing cats you's have the worry of losing them along with how you would feel if they killed your neighbours beloved pet. If she's aggressive with small dogs I wouldn't ever be able to be relaxed while walking as with all the will in the world there are always people with dogs off the lead who don't even attempt to put them on/keep control of their dogs when out because their dog is friendly so it'll all be fine Hmm

MagratGarlik · 23/10/2013 21:08

I'd say whilst out walking though it is all completely manageable provided that the dog is muzzled, even whilst on the lead. Don't worry, ex-racers are used to it and don't mind. It also has the advantage of scaring others into keeping their dogs away and even if they don't, the grey won't be able to do anything anyway.

With respect to dogs running out of the house after a cat, you do get into routines where you shut the dog away before opening the front door. We have a pet gate over our utility room doorway for this reason, the dogs know that if the doorbell goes, they are to go to the utility room, I close the pet gate (so they can see out, unlike if the door were closed) and then answer the front door.

IsisOhIsis · 23/10/2013 21:10

Ah yes, that's a good point. Though if she was muzzled that would be ok, I guess? Apparently she actually snapped a leather lead trying to get to a sheep! She was muzzled so it was ok but obviously that's pretty extreme, isn't it. And you can't really plan for it, or take stept to prevent it other than what they did. I was going to go back on Saturday but I may try and get back tomorrow and have another chat with them.

IsisOhIsis · 23/10/2013 21:12

X posted with Magrat. I could keep her muzzled which would protect other animals but if she snapped her lead and got hit by a car or something... Oh, this is hard!

MagratGarlik · 23/10/2013 21:18

Use a metal lead? I know some people also use two leads, one going from a collar and another attached to a harness. Could this be an option? (Doesn't look as strange as you might think).

PeanutPatty · 23/10/2013 21:41

If she snapped a leather lead I'd question the quality and age of the leather. Muzzling in public is say is a given. Also I like the idea of double leads, particularly useful if this grey is the kind to leap and thrash about on the lead, gives you an extra bit of control or if she slips her collar.

IsisOhIsis · 23/10/2013 22:26

It could well have been an ancient lead! She actually walked really well on the lead, no pulling, even when she saw a cat. I'm feeling really conflicted

Scuttlebutter · 23/10/2013 22:32

I will add a note of caution. It's very normal for greys to be cat-chasers - that is liveable with, with care. However, if your grey is not small dog friendly, it WILL impinge on your life in lots of ways. It's still do-able, but I've had the benefit of living with greys that are and aren't small friendly. Having a dog that is OK with others makes your life so much easier - you can take them more places, socialise more and enjoy walks in the park etc. while they are on the lead. One of the problems may be that you may be the most responsible owner in the world - your dog can be muzzled, on the lead, trained, etc. You can be walking quietly in the park, minding your own business - but you will still get a numpty with a fleet of half a dozen small yappy little fluffballs who have no recall and "just want to play".

Believe me, I've been there, and got the Tshirt (and the gin habit as a result). If you are willing for the implications, then go ahead, but for your first dog in particular, I'd prefer to wait for a hound that is OK with smaller/other dogs. It's not an unreasonable request, and lots of greys are. Considering this dog will be with you for the next 15 years, it will make your life a great deal easier.

Scuttlebutter · 23/10/2013 22:34

The going off lead thing is OK, I meant to add. Ask the branch if they have a secure field you can use - most greyhound rescues know where the best places are, and many have facilities you can use. Lots do things like Sighthound Playgroups - usually in indoor riding schools where you can have off lead fun in a safe environment.

MagratGarlik · 23/10/2013 22:45

(One of ours has a thing against cats, the other has a thing against over-friendly off-lead Labradors. It does not make us popular among local pet-owners Smile ).

Don't feel pressured into taking the first dog you are offered though. We looked at (and decided against) lots when we got both ours before we decided. It is important to make sure the dog will fit with your family and your lifestyle.