Whether to take on rescue greyhound

[Ginrummy]

A greyhound’s temperament seems just right for us and it appears there are lots that need homes.
I’ve spoken to the rescue centre and they’ve told me the dogs are not house trained, so now I’m having doubts about what I could be getting myself into. How difficult is it to get them to toilet outside, as that’s my main concern? I always knew having a dog would be a commitment but I’m wondering whether I’m cut out for full on dog training!
Any thoughts much appreciated.

@LuckyDiamond He isn't knackered, he's just a lazy bones!! Greyhounds really can sleep for 20 hours a day. He sounds very happy in his new home if he's chattering away.

As a PP said if you get a greyhound that has been in foster care then they should be housetrained. Our grey was fostered before we adopted her and was fully housetrained.

I would also recommend Greyhound Gap who are based near Stoke. Lisa who runs it is amazing at matching dogs so they are a good fit with your family.

More greyhound pics please they are beautiful 

I fostered two dogs from the Balkans a few years ago. They were ex street dogs, had been in a rescue for some time but had no problems with house training from day 1, even after a long few days coming over to the UK.

I'm not sure if greyhound are different for some reason, but it doesn't necessarily mean you'll have a big issue with it. Sometimes it can be that the switch to different food can cause a runny tummy, so it's worth asking the kennels what they're being fed and try to feed the same, at least for a week or so. Then, gradually change over.

If you're in the SE, there's www.hershamhounds.org.uk

I'm on my second greyhound. I agree that they are most likely kennel trained rather than specifically house trained. Our first was "house trained" in days - well, a weekend really. I just took him out at regular internals, praised him when he "went" and made sure he was never left too long without a toilet break. Same with the second one.

Had a very, very few accidents, but that can happen with any dog.

As for prey instinct - some have a higher chase drive than others. Both of mine knew within a very short time not to try to leave the house without permission when I opened the door - not sure how I "trained" this behaviour into them - whenever we went for a walk in the initial stages I made sure they didn't cross the threshhold until I allowed them to - this behaviour quickly became ingrained.

They are, on the whole, extremely easy dogs. You might get one with a sensitive stomach, but careful and correct feeding will make a massive difference.

You will never, ever regret getting a greyhound. They are very gentle dogs who love nothing more than a sofa.

I've started the ball rolling with the hope of going to visit a few in the coming weeks and (so we don't get overwhelmed and forget routines over Christmas in the early days) have suggested we pick one in order for us to bring them home in January. I'm really excited but a little nervous as I've not had a dog before.

What would you say are the essentials? I own my home and we have a garden. I like walking so could easily manage x2 walks of at least 30mins a day. I was considering getting 2 to keep each other company but really I only leave the house for the school run twice a day, so they can come on that, just not inside the gates.

Greys do not need a lot of exercise. They are built for very short bursts of speed and are generally not particularly energetic dogs as they don't have the stamina of the working breeds like terriers or spaniels etc.

Ours would walk quite happily for a few miles, but were equally happy with 2 x 30 minute walks a day with a couple of toilet breaks thrown in.
You would need a special greyhound collar for walkies, as the shape of their heads means that an ordinary collar can be slipped very easily.
You will also need warm/waterproof coats for cold months - they have very, very little body fat and fine short coats so feel the cold. The charity Action for Greyhounds (they have a Facebook page) hand knit to order the most beautiful greyhound sweaters - worth a look!
They are also quite bony creatures so need a large, soft bed - they love to stretch out. You will likely lose the use of your sofa! An old duvet is good.
Because of their conformation they find it easier to eat if their bowls are slightly raised - you can get raised feeding stands from any good pet shop.
Some love toys and chewing, others are not bothered. My first dog wasn't particularly playful, but our new bitch loves to chew squeaky toys - she was quite destructive when she first arrived and shredded quite a few books/magazines/post etc but she is now pretty settled and we've not lost any paperwork for a while.
Most greys are bin raiders too, so your kitchen bin might not be safe.
It has been trial and error with ours to find a dog food that doesn't upset the stomach - the food they get in racing kennels will be quite different to what you will be feeding. I have struck gold with Dr Johns Silver, which is a complete dry food (though I add in a bit of meat for interest - and a tin of sardines in oil a couple of times a week for the coat), comes in 20kgs bags and is extremely cost effective. She loves it and it keeps her poos nice and solid.
Apart from that, they really are pretty easy going pets who just want a warm soft bed!

Should also add that greys all seem to love the company of other greys - I already had a small dog when we got our second grey but am considering rehoming another grey to keep ours company.

If you have a big enough garden they love to have some zoomie time but will quickly knacker themselves out. It will need to be secure though - they can and do jump!

I have a large corner sofa and there's only me and dd in the house, so plenty of room for 1 or even 2 (think it is an 8 seater IIRC)!

Am so excited. Sounds like the perfect dog for us.
My bin is in a cupboard anyway so hopefully that won't be an issue. Garden is big enough for swings/slide/trampoline and wendy house - so not small but not huge by some standards. Has fences and walls all around so secure . Thank you for all of the other advice. Am having to sit on my hands not to go 'dog extras' shopping before Christmas!

Out of interest, how much would you say you spend on food per month? I have 2 cats who eat x2 meals a day which is appx £50 and i'm expecting the dog to be more? I'm sure I can google that but nice to have first-hand experience and advice!

It's funny as people say dogs look like their owners, I'd say i'm tall and lean with a long nose and hate the cold! So sounds about right

Agree with RatherBeRiding

One thing we needed was a crate as ours deems it her safe space she is happy if she is crated when we go out but goes ballistic and very destraught if we don't put her in it and then leave the house - even for 5 mins.

This is very dog dependent however.

I would recommend a Ruffwear harness. They are escape proof especially if you have one who goes nuts when it sees a squirrel like mine!

I'd also get a crate. We didn't get one at first but it became obvious when we first got her that she needed her own space. She was in there most of the time at first (door left open, she would just put herself in) when we first got her but gradually used it less and less. We don't have it up anymore but we have got it back out when we've had workmen in and when she was ill once.

Yes to lots of coats. Our grey has a better selection of coats than I do!

Great thank you! I've just found a lovely coat company with double lined polar fleece Greytcoats . With the ruff harness, are Greyhounds Medium size? I know they vary from dog to dog, but unlike the coats which are made to measure those harnesses seem to be S/M/L/XL etc.

If you were considering 2, would you get them together to start a new life in the home at the same time, or do you think it would be fine to start with 1 and add another later? I don't want to be overwhelmed but also want them to feel they have company. Not sure if this is idealistic or whether they would actually rather have their own individual space at first rather than competition from another new dog?

Re food costs, www.allaboutdogfood.co.uk is a good way to search for suitable brands, and it has an inbuilt calculator for daily cost - based on your dog's weight and manufacturer recommendations.

Thanks for all of the advice. Off to visit a rehoming centre today. Apparently, they have a 2yo male who is good with cats. I'm worried he may be too young? I'm not sure if he's had a chance to go to a foster home yet as he is new in. I've explained to dd this is mainly to get a feel for the dog and ask questions as I don't want her thinking this is THE dog and will be coming home with us today! Is there anything not discussed yet that you would be looking out for or asking? I'm happy to take my time over this process and make sure we get the right dog - don't want to be rushed into it.

Most retired hounds will never have lived indoors so couldn't be confidently labelled as house trained, however as other of said they will be kennel trained. They are very clean dogs and don't like to toilet in their living area. We adopted our retired greyhound a year ago and he has never had an accident in the house, we have a large garden but he has a specific spot where he likes to do his business which makes cleaning up easy.

You won't regret your choice OP, greyhounds are wonderful, loyal, gentle dogs. In fact we are going to start the search for our second one very soon!

Thank you - we have reserved him for up to 4 weeks - really lovely dog! They carried in a cat and he was more curious; no chase signals at all and he wagged his tail as he sniffed her for a bit then looked elsewhere. Am clear that even though this looks good not to rush the intro and he should still wear a muzzle if meeting them and be supervised at all times.

The only worry I had was that there was a shaved lined around his front left 'elbow' area and what looked like a cigarette burn shape on his hind. When I asked the guy said he knew the previous owner and the dog hadn't been mistreated, just shipped over from Ireland...I'm not sure what to make of this. Is the small bald circle perhaps something else? Other than that he was a little dandruffy, but from what I've read this could be the stress of having recently arrived at the centre. I got a good vibe but want to really think on this carefully.

Do it!!!

This is my guy Sam. Had him since August and he’s the best dog ever.

Toilet training took 3 days.

He’s super laid back and affectionate.

Had two now. Never looked back or had as much room on the sofa ever again. They are amazing pets.

OP the shaved area might be where he's had a drip if he's been neutered prior to rehoming. It's quite common to see greyhounds with the odd scar from nips from other dogs or minor scrapes and I juries from their racing careers. They have quite thin, delicate skin.

Mine is from Ireland too, you can tell because Irish dogs have tattoos on both ears (poor things).

Good luck, there are plenty of people here to offer advice should you need any.

Hounds can suffer if they lie on hard surfaces. Could that be the back leg thing? And mine is sporting a bald front leg. Drip in when anaesthetised.

He has been castrated, but when I said "oh so is the bald line on his front elbow from the sedation" he looked confused (as if he hadn't noticed it before) and said no as it was in the wrong place.

He's a little nervy thing, but tbf he is new to the kennel and hadn't met so many new ppl all at once. I'm so so very tempted. Just thought I had better mention the negatives to see if they are warning signs for something sinister! I have many positives, so feeling that focus on the negatives is perhaps needed so that I don't just let my emotional butter heart take over

Yes interesting about Ireland as he said he is British marked but he knows for a fact he was born in Ireland.
Am a bit oblivious to what all of that means. Nothing to do with being able to check medical history?
He wasn't a racer so it seems his chase instinct is pretty rubbish . Fine with me!

Born in Ireland but British racer? Passport?
Here’s a random leg picture of my dog after her anaesthetic. It’s scabbed as she licked it. She’s a bugger for that so is sporting a cone at the mo. She also has a bald patch on the side of her neck. One was for bloods and one to put a line in.

Great that he didn't react to the cat. If he's only just arrived at the kennels I would ask them to do another cat test when he has settled a bit. You may not have seen a true reaction. Does he have a tattoo in both ears to indicate he is Irish? What about a pet passport? Are you going to be able to see him again or take him for some walks? I hope it all works out for you!