Rhodesian ridgeback

[Yeahsurewhatever]

Does anyone have any experience?
Would be interested to hear about your dogs. I'm really keen to get one but would love to know a bit more about the realities of its care.

@Fucksandflowers, your comment about over-stimulation coincides with something I heard a very experienced trainer say recently. He'd been faced with a manic young HPR who was getting over two hours exercise a day. He cut the whole thing back to one 20 min training session. Result? Chilled dog. That said, I think some mental stimulation is needed to keep some dogs on the straight and narrow.

Oh Geraldine that face!! She’s gorgeous.

Oh she is gorgeous @geraldine I'd written greyhounds off to be honest, but that little face has put them right back on my list

It’s the eyes. See straight into your soul.

She is the best dog! I didn’t want a greyhound either, but she’s the loveliest creature :) thanks 🙏

@Yeahsurewhatever I wouldn't have a Rhodesian around children, local landlord had one and I had to ring him to take it upstairs if we planned on taking the kids down, lovely dog with adults, just not around small easy to herd into a corner children. Another vote for a doodle here, although they do typically shed its more like wool and not a lot of it, we have had two and a litter of pups, and the remaining one we have will always follow the kids, lay with them, go to them if they cry for anything, she's a proper 'nana' dog!

I'd written greyhounds off to be honest, but that little face has put them right back on my list

Could you advise why you had written them off? I've been reading through the thread and can say that a greyhound would honestly tick your boxes. The ex racers are very laid back and tolerable which is ideal for kids. They have a calm and docile nature. Will be happy with an hour a day (happy to do more if you wanted), tend to be low shedding and are quite lazy so arent much trouble when left alone. Honestly, they are great dogs and sadly there are so many that need a good due to the racing industry.

They were our first choice originally, but a lot of places I was reading about them said they shouldn't be around cats etc. And that we couldn't let them off lead really. Heard that they could be a bit of a nightmare to walk, they wanted to go fast or not at all. Also, just thinking about walking them in the dark, just me and the baby and thought I would feel safer with something a little more 'robust' (not that I would expect the dog to do anything more than be a slight deterrent)- plus something a little more robust may be happier around a loud toddler

I wouldn’t get a dog and expect it to put up with a loud toddler. I also wouldn’t walk a dog (off lead?) and a small person at night.

A child is going to be loud.
I can make sure the dog has somewhere of its own to go, and child is taught not to bother dog but there's going to be a child in the house.
That child also can't be left alone when I walk a dog at 4pm in the winter when it's dark.

Yes, in a perfect world non of this would be an issue.
But frankly if I can rescue a puppy, or dog, or even give a loving home to any dog, and the worst inconvenience is that a child is noisy in the house, and I need to go out with them at the same time sometimes, I don't think it's so bad.

I don’t think you quite understand about having a puppy. If you take your eyes off them they have accidents and chew. They are overexcited by noise and get bitey. They don’t need a quick walk in the dark. They need training and a good run too.
This is why rescues don’t generally rehome to someone with a baby. They can’t provide what a young dog needs.

Honestly @wolfie I'm going to stop responding to you now.
I understand. But since I don't need to get your permission to get a puppy I haven't talked through every expected moment of my day once I have a dog with you.
I feel like you're ignoring most of the things I'm saying, and pulling out certain pieces so you can judge, lecture and be patronising.
I didn't say they'd only get a quick walk in the dark, or that it would be the only walk of the day, or that this would be the case every day, or that there would be no training or thought put into anything- in fact I mentioned repeatedly about doing lots of training, classes, and researching ways to ensure the dog got everything it needed.

Plenty of people don't do any research before getting a dog, which is why rescues are full. But I hope being patronising to me when I'm trying has made you feel better.

I was reading about them said they shouldn't be around cats etc. And that we couldn't let them off lead really. Heard that they could be a bit of a nightmare to walk, they wanted to go fast or not at all.

The cat thing, yes it can be true but you never mentioned having a cat? If you dont have a cat yourself then I dont see why this is an issue. Also, yes they should be kept on lead unless its an enclosed area because they have a high prey drive (not all do). But where on earth did you hear about them being difficult to walk or walking too fast? Because those things arent true. If anything, they are actually really good on a lead due to their racing career and seeing as they are lazy dogs they tend to walk at a normal pace but as like any other dog you would still need to do some training. I honestly think the "robust" thing doesnt make sense, greyhounds are large and we have had people cross the road when we walk our very friendly one. But you cant expect to get a dog specific for protection. Maybe you should go to the rescue centres and meet some before making a decision

OP, what exactly are tou basing the level of "robust" behaviour on in regards to toddler noise? As i said, Greyhounds are known for being great with children but other dogs you mentioned is not necessarily the case so am wondering why you think certain breeds cant handle noise and others can.

Thanks, I was told by a vet that greyhounds get cuts and sores and are generally easily hurt. And that they can be quite nervous too, just quite delicate creatures. I thought they may just not be really comfortable with us. Obviously you can reduce those issues and I'd do everything I could to make them comfortable and happy and feel safe, but I thought some breeds may just be a bit better suited. But maybe I'm misinformed.

Good to know on the walking thing - same vet.-perhaps I need to speak to a different vet...

Not looking for protection reeaaallly, I just wouldn't be outside alone in the dark if I didn't have the dog and I would prefer that people were less likely to approach if I felt a bit vulnerable! However, wouldn't expect the dog to protect and understand that I need to be confident anyway as wouldn't want the dog to feel my nervousness etc. Also, on its own not an issue, just with the 'delicate' not good walking, not good off lead because of prey drive, no good with cstst etc etc it was just an assortment of slight concerns.

I don't have cats but my friend who would likely petsit regularly does have three!

We went to see quite a few greyhounds and lurchers at our local rescue centre and I really loved them, think they have such a lovely nature.
No dog is going to be 'perfect' but it's great to hear people's experiences here, to get a true idea of the breed characteristics, how things are managed, or things that aren't an issue for the majority (like a greyhound not wanting to walk!)

perhaps I need to speak to a different vet..

OK, firstly stop getting advice from a vet, full stop. they aren't breed specialists- you'd be better off speaking to people in greyhound specific rescues or going onto "Retired Greyhound chat" on Facebook. This vet is very misinformed. That "delicate creature" thing is BS. Yes, they have thin skin and can be clumsy but honestly they were used for racing and would reach speeds of up 43mph! Hardly going to fall apart at a toddler playing! Secondly, they would be fine with you in the dark, they are only nervous during the initial periods of settling in, any rescue dog would be as it would all be new. Plus, they are a large breed so don't exactly look delicate to someone in the dark. I really hope you don't rule off greyhounds due to s vet giving you a very mis informed view. As I said, they make great pets and are actually good with kids.

Thanks @greyt that's really helpful, they are firmly back on my list. I just thought they wouldn't be as happy with us as other breeds could be, no one in our home is exactly...'delicate' and we love going for walks that we'd like our dog to join us on. It's good to know that can all work. I'll visit a few more rescues to go and see a couple.

no one in our home is exactly...'delicate'

I don't know what you mean by this but honestly you shouldn't be allowing anyone in your house to be "rough and tumble" with a dog nor do anything that could cause a dog to get hurt- this applies to any breed. How young are you kids? By the sounds of it, they may be too young for you to be considering a dog at all. Personally, I don't think families should bring new dogs (either puppy or rescue) into a household with babies or toddlers as its a lot to deal with.

Greyhounds do walk, no idea where you heard that they don't. They may not have to stamina that cocker or lab would have but that can be built up.

No one would be rough and tumble with a dog. ever.
But they fall over, bump into things etc.

I think I was making an off hand comment about my family not being the most delicate and graceful of sorts, (and in the context of me being told that greyhounds are fairly fragile I figured getting accidently bumped into on occasion may be awful for the dog) but it's come across as more serious than I intended.

A greyhound can handle occasionally being bumped into, i'd actually be concerned if any dog couldn't handle that!

Ok, that vet just worried me and I didn't want to bring a dog into a home that just wouldn't be suitable for it or where things that are inevitable in our house would be distressing for the dog.
Glad to hear you disagree, I really do think they're amazing dogs and glad we can consider them again.

I am totally biased, but everything greyt says is true. Mine is my first dog and she’s really been so easy. There is a big community when you adopt a greyhound too and I have had loads of support and advice from the rescue and other greyhound owners. We are going on a reunion walk next week and my dogs mum and brother will be there. It’s like a gigantic greyhound family :)

There is a big community when you adopt a greyhound too and I have had loads of support and advice from the rescue and other greyhound owners

100% this. Its like joining a cult
It really bothers me on the Doghouse when people roll there eyes at another rescue greyhound suggestion but the thing is they are great dogs. Easy to look after, low energy and maintenance, great with kids, quiet and clean. Plus there are so many needing a home. It's silly to constantly see people dismissing the greyhound recommendation. They are a large breed but their presence is small iyswim. Obviously the prey drive is an issue with them but in my opinion every breed has their pros and cons, plus not all greyhounds have this issue some who were bad at racing would have a low prey drive. Regarding cats, the way I see every dog is a risk at not being good with cats.
I think it's great you are putting greyhounds back on your list, OP. I hope to see less people dismiss them on Mumsnet!

Have you thought about a Hungarian Vizsla?amazing with children, very intelligent, excellent temperament. Do need a lot of exercise though

Greyhound Greyhound Greyhound.

Calm, clean, quiet, affectionate, love a good snooze. Great on the lead.

Oh, and you should definitely get a greyhound ;)