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Original poster

Greyhound rescue advice

12 replies

GirlCrush · 14/10/2020 11:38

has anyone had a greyhound rescue?

we have a year old labrador,not a rescue, got him just before lockdown. The whole family have been involved, theres been zero problems with him. we adore him

but I really wanted a rescue. There seems to be plenty of retired ex racers in rescue shelters

any advice?

OP posts:
Roodog · 14/10/2020 11:42

There are some really good posts on here about rehoming greyhounds. Have a search as I found them really helpful.

We are looking forward to bringing our girl home in a couple of weeks. Can't wait. I think greyhounds and labs are very different types of dog.

Original poster
GirlCrush · 14/10/2020 11:49

yes they are very different

not sure about the mix but then is there a breed i should look at that go well with labradors? i dont know, i'll look in to it more

OP posts:
Sexnotgender · 14/10/2020 11:52

Greys are awesome!!

At the rescue they had an in house Labrador who seemed to get on well with the greyhounds.

Greyhound rescue advice
Skyla2005 · 14/10/2020 12:00

We have one and he is gorgeous. We rescued him from being a stray 2 years ago he was In a bad condition. He is the gentlest soul very sweet natured. He sleeps a lot but he likes his walks aswell. They are quite lazy dogs really and they love being warm and cosy so a nice bed and lots of blankets is a must. Also a warm coat for the winter when you are walking him. Happy to answer any questions if you have any !

NotYourDawg · 14/10/2020 12:10

I have experience of a Grey with a half lab (my old girl was a mongrel but dad was a full working lab and she was basically a labrador)

My parents rescued a retired GH 2 years ago.

My brother has 2 border collies.

My son's stepmum owns 2 retired racers and fosters GH regularly (as well as running a dog sitting business)

This is all relevant Grin

So, GH had never mixed with other breeds before. He is fantastic around other GH and is often cared for by my son's Stepmum. He adores her 2 boys and has always reacted positively to other GHs in her care.

A careful introduction with my girl was a bit ropey but ultimately he wanted to be in charge. He would always stand over her and get himself inbetween her and whichever human was paying her attention. My girl had an excellent temperament and was never aggressive. We took them out for a free run in a dog paddock and she blindsided him as they both ran for a ball, resulting in him pinning her to the ground by her neck. I thought he was killing her but he'd not made a mark, it was a warning and she was happy to remain in his company (different matter with me as I was nervous!). Slow and very controlled introductions resumed shortly after and they were then the best of friends forevermore, until my girl passed away a few months ago.

Brothers Collies... one is a grumpy git who isn't good with other dogs. The other, younger dog, lives and breathes for ths older dog. After one very controlled introduction in the dog paddock it became clear the the older Collie was too reactive which spurred on aggression in the GH. So unfortunately, even after 2 years, we have not allowed further contact.

GH is wonderful family pet and adores all humans. He really does not like strange dogs, particularly hates little dogs, which is a problem on walks (he wears a yellow lead to alert other owners)

obviously each dog is different but that's my experience, hope it helps.

NotYourDawg · 14/10/2020 12:13

oh and my 2 favourite breeds are labs and GH. We get our lab puppy soon and my long term aim is to then rescue a Grey once we meet rehoming criteria (when my cats are no longer with us, Greys aren't generally great with cats)

Definitelyrandom · 14/10/2020 12:17

We have a retired racer who is absolutely lovely. House trained immediately, great temperament, sleeps a lot but enjoys his walks (and it's brilliant watching him do a shortish run), eats anything (including one of the lamb chops that was being marinaded for dinner the other night.....it's easy to get careless). The only downside is that he's a bit "velcro". Some can be quite timid and anxious (and can be frightened by the most irrational things). Ours went through a short period of anxiety a couple of months in after he was really scared by high winds, but we came through it.

Original poster
GirlCrush · 14/10/2020 12:18

ah thank you!

I hear conflicting advice about what will/won't work with labs

@Sexnotgender silly question but do your greyhounds ever hop the gate?

@Skyla2005 what are they like for eating? type of food etc? my research is in the early stages as we are still in the consideration stages.

OP posts:
NotYourDawg · 14/10/2020 12:20

oh yes my parent's boy is very sensitive to change and hates my parents going out (luckily they're retired so he is rarely left alone for more than an hour or 2)

He has his various dog beds scattered around, as well as 2 single beds and a king size (ok that's my parent's bed but nobody told him) and if any of his beds are moved he gets very agitated until they're back where they should be.

He's also a bit odd because he loves a long walk, mum takes him on a 2 hour walk twice a week and he's expecting it every day now, always reluctant to head home on his twice daily 20 minutes.

He is the laziest dog I've ever known though, if he's in the house he's asleep. or farting. Usually both.

Sexnotgender · 14/10/2020 12:22

No my hounds never hop the gate. I don’t think my boy (standing) could. I think my girl could if she really put her mind to it. She’s incredibly athletic whereas my boys an absolute plodder.

Skyla2005 · 14/10/2020 12:25

Our one loves his food but he was starved so probably more obsessed with food than others. We feed him chappie dry food mixed with a bit of wet chappie too which he loves. I find him really easy to look after as he is so laid back and sleepy But from what I’ve read most greyhounds are very gentle natures. Read up on the prey drive which they all have. Small furries and cats you need to be very careful of as they love to chase We can let ours off for a run but only because we have a safe field to do so and he does come back to us when called thankfully it’s lovely to see theM run !

Definitelyrandom · 14/10/2020 13:40

Ours is fed Gain Maintenance kibble with half a tin of Butchers twice a day, with added oats, sunflower oil and Greek yoghurt once, with the Butchers swapped out for sardines or mackerel in sunflower oil a couple of times a week. And the occasional egg.

I don't know what it's like for other breeds but there seems to be a real dichotomy amongst greyhound owners between those feeding traditional (and cheaper) below 20% protein kibble (on the basis that racing greyhounds have higher protein levels of kibble, with many observers seeing hyper activity in retired greyhounds fed with higher protein kibble) and others insisting it's a myth and that only kibble with best quality ingredients will do, without the "fillers" in cheaper kibble. Grain v grain free is another. As is raw feeding. Some do come across as quite cultish in their fervour.

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