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The doghouse

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Original poster

Greyhound attacks

70 replies

doingwhatican · 02/12/2020 14:08

At the risk of starting a Mumsnet war, have others had experiences of greyhounds attacking their dog? Our last dog, a poodle, was attacked 3 times over a few years, always by a greyhound. She was absolutely fine with other dogs and was very submissive. They’d come chasing across the park and just go for her. And yesterday I ran into a beagle pup owner whose dog had been attacked by a greyhound. Similar situation with the dog running at the puppy from afar. The puppy ended up with a puncture wound.
It’s d not something I have seen any articles about. Is it the chase instinct?

OP posts:

midnightstar66 · 02/12/2020 14:11

Yes, it's in bred to chase something small and fluffy. Many can't or shouldn't be off leads.I had to pick up my jrt pup a couple of times to prevent this. She's now scared of this type of dog

ApplestheHare · 02/12/2020 14:13

When they're rehomed after racing they come with muzzles as they've been trained to chase small, fluffy things. New owners are advised to take care around small dogs and many can never go off lead as their prey drive is strong. I would say that, relative to some breeds, they are able to do less damage. Not much of a consolation if it's your beloved dog being attacked though

vanillandhoney · 02/12/2020 14:24

Yep, greyhounds often have exceptionally high prey drives - it's their instinct to chase and it's not very easy to get them to stop.

Most should never be off lead except in specific, enclosed areas.

StillSmallVoice · 02/12/2020 14:31

Mine is mostly interested in squirrels and loves other dogs. I find that the aggression comes from small yappy dogs.

Having said that he does have a prey drive and has never been off lead in a public place, and I keep an eye on our surroundings.

fourquenelles · 02/12/2020 14:42

My Galgos (Spanish Greyhounds) were trained to hunt and had a very high prey drive. In their old age one is now scared of the cat next door and the other can barely walk let along run. In the 6 years I have had them they are only ever let off lead in a secure field.

Having said that I know many many greyhounds who coexist very happily with other dogs, cats, even rabbits but unfortunately some cannot fight their genetics. I am sorry you last dog was hurt OP

Bytheriogrande · 02/12/2020 14:56

We have a retired racer, he's always on a lead unless we're in a secure field. I don't actually think he would harm another dog, he gets on great with my in laws dog who is small, but it's not a risk I'm willing to take. His prey drive isn't just nature, it's nurture too, he's been trained to chase stuff. Saying that, hes a bit scared of cats and would probably run in the opposite direction😄

RunningFromInsanity · 02/12/2020 15:10

We just had an incident near me of an off lead unmuzzled greyhound chasing and killing another dog. Was horrific.
The chase instinct is so strong.

Original poster

doingwhatican · 02/12/2020 16:01

@RunningFromInsanity

We just had an incident near me of an off lead unmuzzled greyhound chasing and killing another dog. Was horrific. The chase instinct is so strong.

That’s horrific! How awful.

But it sounds like the greyhound owners of Mumsnet have theirs on leads. Thanks for all the stories / experience.

OP posts:

vanillandhoney · 02/12/2020 16:04

@RunningFromInsanity

We just had an incident near me of an off lead unmuzzled greyhound chasing and killing another dog. Was horrific. The chase instinct is so strong.

Christ that's awful

Not the dogs' fault either - why on earth was it off lead?!

StillSmallVoice · 02/12/2020 16:25

There are a lot of greyhounds in my neck of the woods and I have never seen one off lead.

Mostly their reputation as laid back couch potatoes is about right.

Leonberger · 02/12/2020 16:28

My dogs have been attacked 4 times this month...by poodles or cockerpoos

Saying that I do think ex racers should be on lead. You can train a dog not to act on its instincts but it’s always still there and it’s better to be safe than sorry.

midnightstar66 · 02/12/2020 16:33

They always appear completely disinterested to other dogs when on leads. I imagine that lulls some owners in to a false sense of security and their drive is sparked when having a good run and then something small darts past.

vanillandhoney · 02/12/2020 16:36

They always appear completely disinterested to other dogs when on leads.

It must depend on the dog - we have lots around here and the vast majority are either reactive, or will stop and stare at smaller dogs as they go past. I walk a small cairn terrier and they all look at her like she's lunch

AriesTheRam · 02/12/2020 16:38

No but I always pick my brown chihuahua up its we pass one just in case he gets mistaken for a rodent!

Springersrock · 02/12/2020 16:47

I know someone who has a greyhound

It’s gone for my dog twice - both dogs on leads. My dog is a springer spaniel, so not small and fluffy.

My parents had retired greyhounds when I was growing up and they were all always completely disinterested in other dogs

DartmoorDoughnut · 02/12/2020 16:48

My parents JRT hates small fluffy white dogs, I think she thinks they’re rabbits or something but luckily now she’s old and can’t see it’s not an issue, was a nightmare when she was younger though!

Conversely my BT hates black labs, tbh that’s more understandable as they’ve attacked him a few times and made him fairly dog aggressive now sadly.

Hoppinggreen · 02/12/2020 16:51

A neighbour got a rescue greyhound. First time out of the house and someone else approached with a small dog (both on leads) it attacked and shook the small dog to the extent it had to be PTS. Really traumatic for everyone involved, including quite a few people who heard the noise and went to help. They had been told the greyhound was fine with other dogs.
I am sure most are Ok but unfortunately they do need to be muzzled around small furry things or kept well away

cheesecrack · 02/12/2020 16:52

I have 2 greyhounds and as part of the rehoming process they are really strict about being muzzled when out and they shouldn't be off lead. It's about protecting the reputation and not taking unnecessary risks. I totally agree.

One of mine escaped out the back gate last month (it was perfect storm of events) and Christ it was awful. I honestly thought he was going to catch a cat/dog and really do some damage.

He caught up with 2 ladies with off lead westies (small, white and fluffy). We were calling out for them to catch him... they were so lovely and thought he'd just come for a sniff whilst we were out walking

I apologised profusely. Lots of wagging tails and loveliness from the owners. I keep reliving how differently it could have ended. It's kept me awake at night!

RunningFromInsanity · 02/12/2020 17:00

@vanillandhoney
A question both dog owners will be haunted by I imagine.

He had the muzzle in his hands, saw the field was empty and in a moment of madness just decided to let the dog have some ‘freedom’.
An experienced greyhound owner too.

SparklyGlitter95 · 02/12/2020 17:04

My neighbours greyhound got out and killed my other neighbours cat. It had the cat hanging limp from its mouth for about 20 minutes before anyone could catch the dog and get it to let go. Absolutely awful, the cats owner was in tears. It wasn't friendly with dogs either.

mummabubs · 02/12/2020 17:04

@StillSmallVoice we have similar experiences. Our greyhound was on lead and muzzled for the first 3 years, then on lead without muzzle for another year and only when we felt confident that we'd worked through his socialisation did we start letting him off lead and unmuzzled. He doesn't chase other dogs or show aggression, but he's been attacked by a border collie and then also by terriers requiring £400 worth of surgery. Any breed can show aggression.

Temporarything · 02/12/2020 22:59

My little dog was chased by a greyhound who was off the lead last week. It was very scary. She was on the lead and trying opto run so was running circles around me as I tried to interrupt the greyhound. My dog was wimpering with fear. I was so angry at the owner.

MaidEdithofAragon · 02/12/2020 23:06

I walk my greyhound off the lead and unmuzzled most days in the woods. He chases squirrels and deer but is scared of all other dogs: he just freezes and whimpers. His prey drive isn’t strong.

dontdisturbmenow · 03/12/2020 08:58

What do you mean by 'attack'? Run towards fast, run after, growl, fight, bite?

I had greyhounds run very fast towards by small dog and once run after which was indeed a bit scary for my small puppy but he wasn't traumatised.

I've never seen or heard of a greyhound actually fighting or attacking another dog.

Hoppinggreen · 03/12/2020 09:40

They don’t fight but some will just grab and hold small furry things, which may include small dogs. My Goldie has a very soft mouth, he can actually catch water balloons without breaking them so if he grabbed a small furry thing (which he did when he was a puppy with a cockapoo puppy) it would probably be unscathed if a bit damp.
However, some breeds have more of a natural prey drive and where that has been encouraged in their training it can be very dangerous

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