Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

Does your greyhound bring in animals?

27 replies

Debbiecurtbag · 03/08/2019 12:10

I have been looking at adopting a greyhound and have joined a few Facebook groups. Was reading a chat where lots said their greyhound brought in mice/ birds/ hedgehogs etc. I’m now thinking greyhounds may not be for me. I refuse to get a cat due to the above.
Do I need to look at another breed?

OP posts:

yetwig · 03/08/2019 14:02

Mine didn't bring in anything only played with her toys. She didn't get to race, had her from a puppy, she had no chase instinct.

yetwig · 03/08/2019 14:05

Just to add, Greyhounds make wonderful pets, please don't pass on this breed, friend have never had a problem with them killing birds, mice and bringing them in the house. Any breed of dog can do this, just remember that.

SlowStarters · 03/08/2019 14:44

My greyhound foster would collect shoes.

She never damaged them, just liked to collect them onto her bed...

But never animals. She licked a toad once.

I miss her :(

Original poster

Debbiecurtbag · 03/08/2019 15:10

Thanks. In all other respects they seem perfect but I have a phobia of mice etc.

OP posts:

Letsnotargue · 03/08/2019 15:14

My greyhound loved the idea of mice and would get very excited if he could hear one in the compost bin. He would have had no idea what to do with one if it ran in front of him.

The only animal he ever brought in was the frozen half body of a rabbit that a fox had left in the garden overnight. He was so pleased with himself, and quite upset when I took it off him.

Original poster

Debbiecurtbag · 03/08/2019 15:16

Oh goodness I’m not sure what I’d do :(
We always had dogs growing up and never had that kind of issue. I may need to rethink.

OP posts:

MardAsSnails · 03/08/2019 15:16

Mine peed on a Dalmatian this morning. That’s the most interaction with other creatures as he gets.

It was our Dalmatian. She had a bath yesterday. She’s now yellow.

squee123 · 03/08/2019 15:17

any dog is likely to pick up a dead animal it finds. They're scavengers

HeadintheiClouds · 03/08/2019 15:19

No, mine never did this. I’ve never heard of them doing this in their own gardens, but admittedly ours could never be allowed off lead when out. Most ex racers will have similar restrictions due to the prey drive.

Original poster

Debbiecurtbag · 03/08/2019 15:45

Thanks. Yes I guessed they couldn’t be off lead when out. On the Facebook group lots seemed to be saying they’d bring things in from the garden. We do get mice, foxes and lots of squirrels and pigeons in our garden and I’d rather they stayed outside.
Tbh I would be looking at adopting a retired dog so perhaps the kennels could advise more.

OP posts:

Berthatydfil · 03/08/2019 15:52

Mines an ex racer so doesn’t know what to do with toys.
Will chase cats and squirrels though but never caught anything.
He can open the fridge (Ate a pack of chicken goujons) and kitchen cupboards and so has eaten cakes and other things within reach he is tall enough to reach the worktops and will raid the cupboards and bins bring packets of food full or empty into his bed.
He’s actually very fussy about actual dog food though.

Original poster

Debbiecurtbag · 03/08/2019 16:21

Ha ha I can cope with food stealing. We had a boxer that used to eat literally anything. Including bars of soap.

OP posts:

tabulahrasa · 03/08/2019 17:12

My rottie once brought me a mouse, I threw a ball he brought back a dead mouse... I’m very very sure one of my cats left it there though, lol.

Usually though... I’d be wondering how a dog “brings” anything in...are they just out there alone?...

Scattyhattie · 03/08/2019 17:28

I've had 3 ex-racers, 2 probably would enjoy chase of squirrel/bunny offlead but prefer to be sniffing while on.
One was high prey drive & given opportunity sure would've been successful hunter but in 7yrs she caught a sparrow that flew into the house & a frog ( carried it up the garden & spat out) she then spent many hours in same spot hoping they'd be another to catch. None of the hounds were really interested in chasing birds & would need to be within grabbing distance to be worth a try.

Most things like hedgehogs/ rodents are nocturnal and if really concerned taking dog out on lead to garden, in daytime can see its clear & can use noise to scare away any cats, birds, squirrels.

My greyhounds spent so much time on sofa our many local cats didn't seem to care about hanging out in out in our garden and would sit on fences to wind them all up, but often they do learn to avoid. I once got a shock opening back door to discover a cat so became a bit more careful taking out on lead first so they had time to get away.

Judashascomeintosomemoney · 03/08/2019 17:35

God, no, though she does only have about four teeth left . She is a very next racer but she doesn’t have any uncontrollable prey drive. She’s twelve but can still put a massive spurt on around the garden, lasts seconds and requires approximately 23 hours rest afterwards. She completely ignores squirrels, hedgehogs and birds in the garden. She came face to face with the neighbours’ cat a couple of weeks ago and got very excited running up to her, play bowing. The cat just looked at her disdainfully so she came back indoors literally with her tail between her legs!

Original poster

Debbiecurtbag · 03/08/2019 17:37

I must admit another concern is that our neighbours have a cat. I can’t imagine how awful it would be if the cat came in the garden and the dog caught it.

OP posts:

Judashascomeintosomemoney · 03/08/2019 17:38

He’s actually very fussy about actual dog food though
Mine too. She helpfully waits until I have bulk bought something before she goes off it though

Judashascomeintosomemoney · 03/08/2019 17:41

Where are you looking to adopt from? Our local dog’s trust have a good idea of the prey drive level of the sight hounds they have. Some absolutely cannot be homed with other small furries but some, like ours, they advised were fine (she had previously lived in a home after her racing days and so they had lots of info on her)

Original poster

Debbiecurtbag · 03/08/2019 17:43

I’ve looked on all the grey hound sites. Most seem to say that they need a child free home or other digs though. I’m actually struggling to find a greyhound that can be homed with a family as a lone dog. I will keep looking though.

OP posts:

Berthatydfil · 03/08/2019 18:14

Where are you located ?

Original poster

Debbiecurtbag · 03/08/2019 18:23

Manchester

OP posts:

Berthatydfil · 03/08/2019 22:12

Ah ok probably a bit too far as we are in south wakes but the lady we got our gh rehomes ex racers. You could try the greyhound rescue society though.

hoopieghirl · 03/08/2019 23:10

My ex racer has never brought anything as a present for me!! Too busy zzzz on the sofa probably x

hoopieghirl · 03/08/2019 23:13

Try Greyhound Trust mine rehomed as only dog in family home.

hashtagthathappened · 03/08/2019 23:14

Well, I know on mumsnet everyone with a retired greyhound never has a problem with cats and rabbits etc but this baffles me. The prey drive is really strong in these breeds.

You’re best with a gundog or herding dog surely?

Flip

1 2