Greyhound questions

[Jillcrewespony]

We hope to adopt a greyhound soon - and if it all goes to plan, we will have one coming to live with us in a few weeks time!

So, anyone who has rescued greyhounds - how did you settle your greyhound at night to begin with, and where?

Am not keen on dog sharing bedroom, the plan is dog will sleep downstairs. I was wondering if I should plan to sleep on sofa by dog for first few nights? Also wondering if we should try to crate train? Rescue have given some tips and will give some more, but would like to hear some other people's experiences too. Thanks!

Pyjamas are the best!

That's about the only way I can persuade the pointy one to go out for a pee in the cold weather! She is such a diva

Where are your pyjamas from CMot?

Greyhound Monkey

Tell me about greyhounds...
How old are they when they retire?
Are they child/other dog friendly?
Will they run off and chase rabbits/squirrels etc?
Sorry to jump on your post, but never thought about rehoming one before as I’m a staffy lover at heart!
These photos are cute though!

Some of them are retired young as they were crap racers basically... our previous girl only left racing kennels aged about 7... current pointy (the one in the ridiculous pyjamas) was 4 when we got her.
Prey drive varies - from the ones who were retired because they wouldn't chase anything, to our current girl who's still flipping off the scale and walked muzzled and on a harness because she would not only chase and harm a cat, but she remembers which houses she's seen cats at and keeps an eye out for them - but she's very intelligent in greyhound terms (they're not generally wired for intellect bless 'em!)
We have two relatively young kids (5 and 6), and apart from the legs all over the bloody place factor, they get on well together - my very very anxious and stroppy 6 year old really gets calmed by the dog coming and putting her head in her lap for an earscratch. Basically she thinks she's a lapdog - which doesn't really work for something built more like a giraffe.

Our youngest retired at 2 (poor racer), oldest at 6.

They are amazing with kids, all ours are bomb proof, but they do want to chase small furries.

Here's a photo of our 6. (We started with one 4 years ago).....

Is it wrong I look at that photo and think "one squirrel and you're going to be knitting with dog leads"

Sorry just realised I’ve name changed.
What are they like with other dogs?
Do they not chase smaller dogs with their prey drive?
Do they need lots of walking?
Hope you don’t mind all of these questions.
They appeal to me being short coated and they look pretty lazy which appeals! Don’t think I’ve ever even met a greyhound to be honest.

It's very dependant on the dog, ours tend away from spaniels, I think because of the bounce, but they are usually good with most dogs.
Happy dogs upset them, but they turn away rather than react.
We see small furries all the time, but I have left hand dogs and right hand dogs, so they will launch together, but always in the same left to right order (although that's still not helpful to be honest).

It's very dependant on the dog, ours tend away from spaniels, I think because of the bounce, but they are usually good with most dogs.
Yappy dogs upset them, but they turn away rather than react.
We see small furries all the time, but I have left hand dogs and right hand dogs(as in the side they like to walk on), so they will launch together, but always in the same left to right order (although that's still not helpful to be honest).

As said it depends on the dog we live with a cat, the cat is the boss greyhound won't even walk past a doorway. She does love squirrels to chase but we did a lot of recall work with her so she does come back. Not all are like this.

Regarding walks ours is happy with 30-50 minutes if it includes a run, she can be let off some can't. We built her up to be able to do hills but if we do that at the weekend she won't need a walk for 2 days. In fact she refuses to go.

Regarding other dogs we did a lot of socialisation work, she doesn't like collies, black labs or yorkies but given she has been bitten by these breeds I can't blame her!

We found the best thing was to go with one of the Greyhound/sighthound specific charities which Foster the dogs first and fully assess as they are able to give you more information.

Got my boy at 2 and he’d been in the rescue 6 months. He’s a failed racer as has no prey drive.

Dog arriving soon - just checking off essentials.

What size raised feeder did any of you go for? What I mean is, how high does it need to be off the ground?

Many thanks

Are you getting a boy or a girl there is quite a height difference between the two! Which then will alter the height elements

Or you could just get an adjustable one to make life easier.
Mine feeds off the floor she doesn't like eating at height but she's on the small side

Girl. She's probably on the small side.

Pets at home do adjustable height ones you could ask the charity what she currently has as said mine doesn't like eating raised and prefers a bowl on the floor.

Other things to get are a good winter jacket which is waterproof, martingale collars, a fleece for the house and for most greys a very comfy duvet folded in half

There is conflicting advice about raised feeders, we do use them, ours are 30cm, our dogs tend to the larger size greyhound. (30-34 inches from neck to base of tail).