Honestly, how cat safe is a grey?

[Snappymcsnappy]

We are possibly rehoming a dog soon (not a grey), we know the dog well and have a really good idea of its temperament.

It's not guaranteed and may fall through yet, we hadn't planned a second dog but the more I think about it, the more I think our dog might benefit from a placid canine friend.
She only really likes placid dogs, and black cockerpoos for some reason.
It's rare that she will take to a livelier dog, unless it's a black cockerpoo!
She's not aggressive in that she's never bitten, but not afraid to get growly and lip curly...
Puppies she is horribly growly unless they are very submissive.

She likes playing with the chosen few and stays with a home boarder where she can be seen sharing sofas and beds with the geriatric dogs.
I think, I hope! That perhaps a nice placid companion might help her a bit more sociable with other dogs too...

Thinking about a retired grey but a concerned with my cat.
She's very small, quite lively, play fights with the current dog.
I gather they can be cat tested but I am worried that the tester cat will be super confident and used to dogs and therefore not an accurate reflection of prey drive.
I would have it wear it's muzzle all the time except for eating I think, if that is a reasonable thing to do??

It's the (so I have heard) placid, gentle nature that attracts me as that would be perfect fit for our current dog.

Thoughts?

We have these - the younger one has been with our 2 dcats from when we got her at 8 weeks, and her dm for about the last 9 months, despite her being used for poaching with previous owner.

One of my childhood friends had a new cat killed by her greyhound. One she'd had since puppyhood despite it growing up with her other cat. It was really sad.

I don't think its acceptable to muzzle a dog at all times except eating- not long term.

Friends of mines dogs had grown up with their cat, all lurchers, and one day with no warning ripped the poor creature apart. It’s too ingrained in their nature

I know many many people who have rehomed racing greyhounds and almost all of them are fine with cats. Quite a few live with cats.

One of them has, sadly, killed 2 of the neighbours' cats when they came into their garden but that is the only one I have known that has killed a cat.

I think they’re all individual . I have two . One is cat safe , the other will chase if left unsupervised , but will back off if told . I know a lot that are , but many more that aren’t . You’d have to be very specific with the rescue .

They are unbelievably fast when they go, not many cats taking a short cut across a garden would be safe .

I don't know about cats in the home, most greys I have met are very laid back indoors and only put on a show in the garden .

I think dogs who have raced have had the chase instinct encouraged and may not lose it so easily.

100% safe until the cat moves, basically.

I'd consider something else. Even if cat tested, you still have doubts and have to even consider muzzling indoors it's not the dog for you.
Rather cruel tbh (at the very least)

My old boy could have lived with his own cat I think - he became quite friendly with the neighbour's cat and we all used to sit on the front lawn together.

I wouldn't be confident with this grey I have now - he has chased cats in the garden but has stopped when he's got anywhere near so I THINK he might be ok but wouldn't like to risk it.

100% safe until the cat moves

This is very true as far as ours is concerned. You are right in the calm around the house, gentle side of greys. They are very much all those things. They also have a massive prey drive for the most part, which is particularly honed if they've raced. Ours is the laziest, calmest, most gentle dog you could possible imagine and then she's sees a cat or a squirrel and she's totally feral.

Oh dear!
Thank you for all the comments everyone, I think it wise, lovely as they are, that we think of something different.

I've friends with greyhounds & cats & they get along fine, most had raced but prey drive is bit more complex & it seems common that dogs that live with cats may still chase other cats/squirrels while out.

My own greyhound & lurcher I wouldn't ever be assessed as ok to live with cats, previous pair probably could with training but to pass test they tend to pick those that are easily distractable /lack interest.
The greyhound/lurcher rescues usually give guidance how best to integrate and expect supervision & training for the dog early on, however not all follow advice/common sense from experience.

Not sure how often someone is present during these tragic fatalities to know what went on & for those few they'll be many that coexist with no incidents. Think just have to be sensible provide escape routes for the cat & restrict access for dog. You couldn't muzzle dog constantly but early on its fine to use one while supervising the pair.