Greyhound help please!

[AllGoodDogs]

Evening all! I've recently started volunteering for the Cinnamon Trust, and they've emailed me today to ask me to do an assessment on a 5 year old rescued Greyhound whose owner is elderly and has been unable to walk her for some time (she may well have had a private dog walker in that time, I don't have all the info at the moment). CT need to know how she reacts to children, other dogs, traffic etc, and how well she walks on the lead to find her a long term volunteer who can walk her. I have zero experience with greyhounds, is there anything I should be wary of? Especially if she hasn't been out in a while I want this to be a positive experience for her. Are they particularly food orientated? Generally friendly with other dogs? Strong on the lead?

Any help and dos / don'ts would be great 👍

[Crimebustersofthesea]

I'm no greyhound expert but I've got one and have met many! Do you know if it's an ex racer? I think a lot of ex racers can be a bit confused by other dogs that aren't like them simply because they've always been surrounded by other greys. The owners of mine also bred Jack Russell's so he used to other dogs but I know it can be an issue for some.

They tend to have a pretty strong prey drive so rabbits and squirrels may peak their attention and have them straining at the lead!

Not an issue with ours but they can be a bit nervy with loud noises.

As for food, ours is obsessed, my neighbours grey not remotely interested! They're all different I suppose but the main things to look out for is prey drive! One thing every grey I've met had in common though is they're beautiful loving dogs who you can't help but fall in love with!

[CMOTDibbler]

The thing I'd be most aware of is whether you need to have your wits about you for passing cats/squirrels. The power in the back end of a greyhound is amazing and if they react then you know about it.
When they come out of training, they may not have ever met dogs who aren't greys, but that shouldn't be an issue by this point.

[Crimebustersofthesea]

Ps - I'm also a cinnamon trust volunteer. The dog we used to walk for them sadly died recently. Broke my heart, hed become my dogs best friend and part of our family. Its so rewarding though, hope you get as much joy out of it as we did

[79andnotout]

Mine is insanely good orientated and nervous. They're easy to walk on leads but as others have said may take off after furries (and they're much stronger than they look). Mine doesn't though, if she's on lead she never pulls. I have a bag of hot dogs on me when walking in case she freezes up if something worries her. They're a lovely breed and I wish more people adopted them. I'd have three if my partner let me!

[79andnotout]

*food orientated. Damn auto correct.

[MardAsSnails]

My boy didn't have a clue how to walk on lead, and can be very strong when he sees something he wants (cat, rabbit, tennis ball, crisp packet).

He is also terrified of stairs. He'll go up and down them now, but with lots of panicking.

He's very friendly with our other two dogs, however doesn't give a shit about other dogs on walks. He also doesn't do 'gentle' - he will take fingers off if you're not quick enough when offering treats.

Love my big gangly fuckwit, he's awesome

[coral13]

We had an ex racer greyhound. She was fine with our cats and other dogs and basically did nothing but sleep in her basket at home. I agree need to be careful around squirrels and rabbits JIC but in general I think they're quite easy dogs.

[AllGoodDogs]

Thanks for your advice, all! Unfortunately the assessment has gone to another volunteer - I guess they email a few of us the same case to save time which makes sense. They have asked if I might be able to take her on as a regular walker if the assessment goes well so I may get to meet her in the future! Thanks again, your dogs sound awesome... The stairs thing especially!! Makes sense though if they'd never been in a home environment before 😔

[79andnotout]

Ah ok, well hope you get to meet her!

Yeah I remember when we took ours home and she saw a sofa for the first time. She circled all around it chattering her teeth, we lifted her on it and that was it, perpetual bliss! We had to buy another sofa so we got to sit down too.

[AllGoodDogs]

See I only have a Yorkie now, he weighs 4kg and barely takes up a cushion 😂

[79andnotout]

Ha yeah that would be much better. We're currently contemplating a super king size bed for the same reason