Might be adopting a greyhound!

[User5trillion]

We have been thinking about this for years and now youngest dc is 5 we are decided the time is right.

Yesterday we went to the rescue and met 3 dogs. We took them out for walks and understandably they were a bit wary but lovely. Should we fall in love with one? They all seemed perfectly nice and suitable but is it like buying a house, should you just know?

We have no preference on sex or colour and we have no other pets.

We had a home check 2 years ago when we first discussed this and will have another one this week.

Does anyone have any advice on how to help new dog settle in? We have an old cot mattress to use as a bed but do we need a special dog bed? I have ordered the greyhound for dummies book I see recommended on here. Any other advice?

Tia

I think its hard when you meet kennelled dogs as they don't always show so much affection. Go back and spend a bit more time with them, just playing around in the play area.

You don't need a special dog bed - the cot mattress and some fleece blankets will work well. As its getting cooler, you will need dog coats for inside and outside (greys do not do rain) - Milgi do lovely fleeces and waterproofs. You'll also need collars. Sighthounds need wide collars due to their fine necks. My lurchers have lots, but our faves are from Meggie Moo and Slouching Hound. You'll also need a fixed lead - you never, ever use an extending lead with someone who can reach 40mph in 6 strides.
Mostly you'll need patience though. Remember they may never have been in a house and don't know about stairs, washing machines, hoovers etc

Hi thanks for your reply, I am going to go back this week and see the dog again. There was another dog that had arrived that morning that caught my eye, so I might go and see him. It is so hard, I could have taken them all home.

We have loads of old duvets, fleece blankets and towels so new dog will be very comfy!

Will take a look at the dog coats you recommended. Thx

@CMOT has given excellent advice - a couple of things I would add are our Grey appreciates a raised feeding and water bowl and the book will give you advice regarding feeding as Greys are prone to bloat. We visited the rescue every day whilst waiting for our home check to walk him but it took a good 18 months for his true character to come out - although he had been on quite a journey from Ireland (pound, Irish rescue journey to uk holding rescue etc) but fabulous dogs good luck with it so glad to hear another gorgeous pointy hound is going to have a forever home.

The dog coats are beautiful I want them all!

Can anyone recommend an insurance company for pet ins?

I am going to try and go up this week with the kids and hopefully again at the weekend for a longer walk. I am very excited but nervous as well as I want to make the right choice.

I stuck with Pet Plan they have been really good and paid for some recent dental work which not all insurers will do.

I rescued a grey on Sunday. He is utterly fantastic.
Gentle, friendly, biddable

He really is an absolute delight.

My new hound

@sexnotgender he is gorgeous!

Ahh he is stunning.

How lovely, OP, you won't regret it .
I had 10 wonderful years with my Greyhound. He was the best boy I could ever have wished for. I loved him with all my heart and he returned that love 1000 times over. He never showed a moments jealousy as our family grew and had the gentlest, most patient soul imaginable. We all miss him terribly since he passed away (of age related illness) 18 months ago.

I highly recommend this book to anyone thinking about adopting a greyhound. My family (and greyhound) are actually one of the "case studies" in it
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Understanding-Greyhounds-Companions-Through-2015-08-06/dp/B01K2VZ6A0/ref=mpssa119?ie=UTF8&qid=1534103877&sr=8-9&pi=ACSX2366SY340QL65&keywords=understanding+greyhound+book

You'll be able to build up a good bond as well as get him used to being on lead if you put him on lead to walk round the garden in the morning to have a wee. I always start my sighthound relationship like this (we have had loads of permanent and fosters over the years).

Over time you will be able to train him off lead in an enclosed field, it is breath taking to watch them run for pleasure.

Don't be surprised that he will be incredibly lazy! And remember they do like their own space so as with any dog, let him dictate how much he wants to be petted. Once the bond has formed you will find that greyhounds are one of the most devoted and loyal breeds to their humans.

Thank you, we adore him already.

So I took the kids up again today and walked the lovely lady dog we saw at the weekend. She was very wary of the children and got visibly upset when my son tripped over and started crying. I dont think she is the dog for us. 😢

I walked another dog, this time a male. He is new.into the kennel but much more interested in the children and his surroundings, although obvs still wary. He has an irish name something like knave, so if we get him he will be renamed Dave!

We will be having our home check on friday and we are all very excited. I am just trying to find the best place to give him a bed, so he has an escape from the hustle and bustle of the house (kids).

Does anyone have any advice for the home check? We have a high fence all around the garden and space to put a doggy bed area. I

You won't regret it OP, grehounds are one of the gentlest, most loyal breeds there are. When I first went to see our boy at the kennels he didn't interact that much as he was just happy to be out for a walk. Despite that I fell for him straight away, he was the only dog I saw as the Greyhound Trust had matched us based on us having you guys children. He settled straight in, no toilet accidents and he's so sweet, I'm definitely his favourite person and he follows me everywhere.

Have you gone to a specific greyhound rescue centre OP? I'm looking into this myself and I have no idea where to start.

We went to our local greyhound rescue place. I am now steering away from a male as my friend says they are terrors for spraying. I rang the woman that runs the rescue and asked for her advice on picking between the dogs as I thought she could guide me as she knows them best, however she just said to wait a few weeks and see what other dogs she gets in. We are going camping next weekend so we will visit the kennels when we get back and see which dogs she has. I haven't fallen for one yet and its such an important decision, I am getting anxious about it, which is very unlike me.

Please don't be put off a male greyhound. I have never heard of issues with spraying. Greyhounds are extremely clean dogs. Mine would have been mortified to mess in the house.

I second that they are clean dogs - whilst both females and males are gorgeous from my own experience the boys are easier, the girls can have their diva moments and be more aloof so please don’t be put off the males.

Thats interesting to hear, thanks for the advice. I need to take my husband to meet dave but I am sure he will love him.

Only one of my 2 male greyhounds bothered to cock his leg and wanted to sniff everything although this was outdoors, both were more reliably house trained than girl but that's just her. They're all individuals so personally wouldn't get hung up on gender just which seems the most suitable character for your family.

I've had my greyhound for a year (from a specialist greyhound rescue). He's amazing and has always been very clean. He's super lazy and is growing in affection in his own way. So he'll greet you when you get home, show you his face after his dinner and gets very excited when we open the freezer (where his food is kept). Best thing I ever did. I'd love to get him a pal but my husband says no. He's a big lad but just curls up on the floor and isnt barky. He's the perfect doggo. Good luck with finding your Grey!

We have had the call from the rescue place, we pick up our new dog on sunday - a whole week to wait.

I have a bed sorted and now I need to get raised food bowls, a jacket and anything else? I wasn't planning on using a crate.

Hubby is creating a dog wee area with drainage outside for late at night wees.

I have been training the children and reading all the books. So excited, will post pics when he arrives!

Collars (I prefer martingales), indoor fleece, outdoor raincoat, solid lead (never, ever a retractable), dog treats, squeaky tennis balls, poo bags, a very soft brush or grooming mitt, fleece blankets for their bed (easy to wash/dry).

How will they travel in the car? In the boot you'll need blankets and a guard, on a seat they'll need a car harness

Hi, thanks for all advice. We are going to have a look at a few pet places today. I was planning on putting the dog in the boot but will investigate a dog harness.