Getting my first Grey!

[SouthBySouthWest]

After much deliberating, we have contacted our local greyhound rescue, and someone is going to come out to homecheck us and get an idea of what kind of dog would suit our family. I'm so excited I've been after one for years!

So, I've owned border collies, mutts and a cocker spaniel, but I'm new to the sighthound business. At the moment, all my knowledge is based on google searches and what I've read on here about how great they are. What things should I be looking out for? What questions should I ask? What things do greyhounds need that other dogs don't?

I know that they need the right kind of collars, coats to keep them warm, and snuggly beds at home to rest their pointy selves on, but what else am I not thinking of? Most things I read say that they are not safe to be let off the lead (which I'm cool with) but is this the norm?

I have 2 DSs (2.5 and 5) who are both used to dogs, but what could I do to prepare them? My mum has a cockapoo that will be a regular visitor - will that be okay for a greyhound to have another dog in it's house occasionally?

Oh my god, I'm so excited!!

Congratulations! What a wonderful Easter gift. And he's stunning - a beautiful black boy. You'll soon have that coat shining like silk in the sun.

South, congratulation!
I cannot open your link but it's the same rescue we fostered for and will be getting our future forever hound from.
Can you tell me (or pm me?) who you got? Does his name start with M?

And yes, you can change a dog's name quite easily.

Ignore me, I just saw him - gorgeous!! He will make a lovely pet. Hope you are all enjoying getting to know him.

Thanks for all the lovely messages. We are very excited (and have been very busy trying to think of all the things we need to do before Friday!).

He will have a bed in our bedroom (he'd be welcome on the bed, but he's massive and I'm not sure my marriage would survive 3 in the bed!), and I woke up last night thinking how cold it was. I have always preferred a cold bedroom, but now I'm worried that it will be too cold for him! Even in his PJs! Maybe lots of blankets?

Apparently, he loves the heat. So I have told my DH that we have to clear his side of the bedroom, and install a cosy bed next to the radiator, with lots of fleecy throws (because he loves to make a nest).

One thing I'm not sure - will he come with some coats? Because we don't know his size to get him some clothes. I think they said that they would lend us some stuff, but it was all a bit of a blur.

I just want him home, and then we can get to know him and make him comfortable. I'm trying to prepare my boys, so I'm hoping they'll be on their best behaviour. It was really encouraging when we met all the dogs, and my two DSs were just puddling off in the background, playing with my DMs dog, and ignoring all the hounds. They weren't worried about all the big dogs. Given the number of hounds at the meet up, my DSs were remarkably chilled. Hopefully a good sign!

What am I forgetting???!!!

Wind! He may be really farty due to stress of moving and until you get his food sorted. Our whippets were. Not sure I could have coped with them in the bedroom.
Ours had been trained not to go upstairs by previous owners so it made sense to keep it that way. I think greys can find stairs tricky until they get used to them. Just a thought.
Our whippets have a large memory foam bed in the lounge plus blankets which they snuggle under. Since the weather is warmer they like loafing on the sofa in the conservatory in the warm afternoons but as soon as it starts to cool they mooch back to the lounge.

Okay, wind! Had not thought of that. Or, well, I had heard of that, but not realised it might be such a big thing. Planning to keep them on the same food for the moment.

We have a bit of an upside down house on a hill. We come in downstairs, and you have the kids bedrooms. They have to come upstairs as the living space and our bedroom are upstairs. And the back garden. Steps will be involved, but by all accounts he knows what he is doing with them.

Sounds weird, but once they are upstairs, they have the run of the living/bedroom/kitchen/garden space. If it all gets a bit farty, we can open the door, or turn a fan on....!

One more sleep till we bring him home! I think we have decided on a new name, but we are still having doubts. It took us foreeeeevvver to name our DCs so this does not bode well

He has a comfy (temporary) bed, until we see how big he is and can order something that suits him perfectly.

We have got raised bowls for his food and water, so that's sorted.

I'm hoping he'll come with at least some coats/collars/pjs etc on loan, as I can't really get anything until I measure him up. Apparently he knows it's bedtime when he gets taken out and gets his pyjamas on. I've never had a doggie that wears jammies!

This is almost as bad as waiting to go into labour, and worrying about whether we are prepared or not! The only difference is that I don't have to go through hours of contractions and birth!

Just heard my DH ask DS2 if he was excited about the dog coming. Apparently he is 'sooo excited!'. He is only 2.5, so that's encouraging.

When I asked my DS1 (5) about the dog coming, he reeled of a list of all the rules (no touching the dog in bed, or when it's eating, or when it's sleeping). So that's encouraging too.

What have we missed?!

You'll be fine!

Be prepared for some pacing and stress-panting, also maybe some whining at night in the first night.

We had sliced Frankfurters as 'high value' treats for training purposes - ours did not jump in to the car but a bit of Frankfurter could persuade him .

I am so excited for you and more than a little envious

Enjoy!!

He's home!!

So far, he's been pacing about, panting a bit, drinking water, and pacing some more. He's also settled down for small periods of time to chew a chew, and been unfazed by the kids and other things.

Also, I knew he was a big boy, but gosh, indoors he seems like a small horse! Luckily we mostly have clear countertops anyway, but will have to be especially careful from now on.

So pleased to hear he has arrived safely. Hope he settles well tonight for you. Did he come complete with wardrobe?!

He came with a lead, muzzle and 2 coats, but I'm not sure what has to go back. Probably all of it.

Our job tomorrow is to measure him, and start getting stuff! So exciting! Going to try to add a piccy....

He's found the sofa. I think that we may have to fight him for it :)

Ha!
You've lost your sofa FOREVER now

He is a gorgeous big boy isn't he! Mine are both asleep on the sofas at the moment, but Oz is trying to persuade me that he needs his fleece on by curling up really tightly with his nose under his front leg.

Buying coats, collars and bandanas is a slippery slope - and when meeting a pointy owner you can always guarantee a good chat about collars

Absolutely gorgeous! Hope you have had a lovely first day with him and enjoyed shopping for him!

South he is beautiful. The black boys are the finest He looks about the same size as mine, he's about three feet tall and over 40kgs so he's a big 'un! You'll be surprised how quickly you get used to the size. Often we are out walking and I hear a little one say wow look at that baby horse, I'm looking around until I realise they mean my Bob

You can't go wrong with coats if you order from Milgi, they are beautiful and the quality is excellent. Bob has had two and two bandanas and they are lovely!

I hope you enjoy your houndy, I'm in love with mine and that's not even a bit of an exaggeration!

He looks like mine!

Aww, Glitter, they could be twins!

He is settling in really well. Sleeping all through the night. No accidents in the house. And soooo gentle and unflapped by just about everything (even my two DSs!). He's been on a few walks now, and not bothered at all by other dogs, even the wee ones (which is good, as we are surrounded by people with small dogs).

We're starting to see his playful side come out a bit. This morning he woke the boys up when he decided to see how fast he could run around the house .

And I can see how kitting out your hound could turn into an expensive hobby! I've already seen 3 collars that I must have.

Okay, another question - his kennel coat is coming out, but his skin is really dry and flaky. We've had the suggestion of sardines etc to add to his diet, but is there anything else we can do? Do all greyhounds have bad skin when they come off the track? I'm using a baby brush at the moment to groom him, but it just seems to make it flake more.

It'll just be bringing all the dry skin off, so keep brushing. A bath would help, but might be a bit traumatic at this stage.

Have you decided on a fleece yet? Ddog has a red one from Milgi, and dpuppy had the orange spot one though has outgrown it. Looked fab on - Scuttle recommended the colour to go with him

Okay, will keep up the brushing.

The rehoming organisation he came from has a shop (or rather a member that sells coats etc at the meetups) so I'm going to see her this week and see what they have on offer, then if we still need things, look in all the places suggested. The fleece and coat he came with seem pretty good, with a nice high neck that can be folded back, so I'm hoping this is what they sell.

I think he'll look quite good in turquoise, though. So may be making further purchases....

Aw I'm glad to hear he's settling in. It's lovely when their true personalities emerge and you see their playful side.

Black boys do look fab in turquoise and its a shameless opportunity for me to show you with a photo

They are definitely twins. He could so rock a turquoise coat like that

Yours looks like a lively boy too Glitter. I do wonder how many of them are related. The rescue place mentioned something about black dogs with white flashes on their chest (like mine) all being from the same sire.

It does sort of feel like bringing another baby home. I feel all protective over him and want the best things for him. Nothing's too good for him . I keep on nagging DS 1 and 2 to behave in front of him, and not do anything to stress him out (not that he appears to mind anything at the moment).

My biggest thing now will to be find a safe place to let him off when we are ready. This will be my new hobby. Locating greyhound safe places to let him run.

hi

its been a while but we had a gorgeous rescue greyhound that was adorble and soft as grease, sadly gone to doggy heaven now.

PLease dont buy coats from garden centres or random pet shops! They can be expensive and not that good quality wise.
I totally recommend anyone with a dog looks at coats made by equestrian companies, they are much more durable and usually half the price!

so equestrian clearance wharehouse, who are online are great. You could get a house coat and outdoor coat for around £20-25 for the pair.
Good makes are Masta, weatherbeata, joules and Mark Todd. My old boy had them and they are great.
They do all different weights so lightweight shower proof, fleece in door coats, thicker padded waterproof ones for snowy days

www.equestrian.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/search/dog%20coats/?facet=ads_f20_ntk_cs:%28%22Dog%20Coats%22%29

nobloomin Thanks for the good info, so helpful. Despite having been around dogs for almost 30 years it feels like a steep learning curve. Sighthounds seem more like a way of life than a pet!

Hi South
Just wanted to give you a wave as I've just adopted a greyhound too. She's a black girl with tiny white snowflake marks all over her and she's been with us a week tomorrow. She's also settling in really well. The only thing I'm having to put extra effort into is getting her used to sleeping in the kitchen as she can't sleep upstairs, so I've been bedding down on the kitchen floor with her nearby in her crate. The plan is for me to gradually move further away as she gets more settled.

Otherwise she's doing really well though it's early days - I'm quickly learning that getting her good and tired before I go out/put her to bed is the key to success. Luckily they don't need much exercise to wear them out!

Hope you're enjoying your new hound as much as we are - mine is currently zonked on the kitchen rug while DD and I are sitting at the kitchen table, mnetting and playing with playdoh, which is just how I envisaged it when I started thinking about getting a dog

All the best - I'm happy to compare notes if you want to