Whippets and greyhounds.

[gerbo]

We are starting to think seriously about adopting a rescue dog. I'm here to ask about whippets and greyhounds as from all my reading, they seem good breeds to have with children (mine are 11 and 13). They also look very beautiful, seem calm and like to sleep after walks...?

Can anyone with these dogs tell me if they think they're a good pet to have with children? Any information gratefully received. I have gleaned that they're a cliche 'great pet' on Mumsnet. I guess I'd like to ask for experiences of these breeds.

There seem to be a lot of these breeds and Lurchers too, in rescues I've investigated. Is there a reason for this? If they've been racers, so they want to zoom away on lead?

Any info gratefully received!

Ps we're up for good, short or pretty long walks and play but would prefer a calm dog. Does this sound right?!

Well, we've applied to Dogs Trust and a couple of specialist rescues for greyhounds and I'm still learning loads!

Thanks all!

We had a rescue greyhound. Beautiful, gentle, calm dog. She was fine with our chickens because we told her 'no' but neighbourhood cats and squirrels were fair game as far as she was concerned- and seeing them was the only time she pulled on her lead, the rest of the time she walked beautifully. We lost her just over a year ago at the age of 15. Excellent with children and other dogs, and very happy to be a couch potato after her walk although in her younger years she did enjoy a run on the beach.

@gerbo

Well, we've applied to Dogs Trust and a couple of specialist rescues for greyhounds and I'm still learning loads!

Thanks all!

Ooh good luck gerbo I hope you find your perfect pointy hound soon!

Thanks @Stickytreacle! I'm excited. The Greyhound Trust rehoming option sounds very promising, I'm desperate to get going! My children are too.....we're planning sorting the house soon to be ready- clear the garden properly, move things which are stored down the side alley, move units at home which we just don't use any more to make room for beds, etc.

Do rescues give you some notice usually? A week or two to buy all the kit and get ready?!

Good luck @gerbo keep posting , I'd be interested to know how long you have to wait. As I have a summer holiday booked I'm not looking to get my future family member until after that.

Sorry to ask a question on your thread -but for the experts on this thread can I ask-I'm looking at my laminate floors (bamboo,v scratched, not high shine) - would they be tricky for a greyhound?

If i got carpets - would a cream easy clean one be insane ?

Yes rescues usually take a while to sort everything, some will sell supplies themselves. I'd recommend asking what food they use as it's best to stick to the same one. Other than that all you really need are a collar, id tag, lead and coat if necessary. Bowls from the cupboard and an old duvet can make a bed in a pinch.

Re the hard floors, my whippet hated them, and would spin in a circle and reverse through every single doorway! I managed to keep an off white wool carpet with three dogs, but vacuumed a lot. Currently have hard floors and rugs, the labs are fine with that.

We've had 2 greyhounds. Our first we had for 5 years and died very suddenly (heart attack) last summer. We were devastated and initially said no more dogs as its too upsetting when they die. She was my sweetheart dog, so calm and gentle and would have followed me to the end of the earth.

At the end of last year we realised we needed another dog. Adopted a failed racer. She's a little sweetie. Still getting used to being in a home but has been toilet trained and good at being left for periods from the first couple of weeks.

I've never let either of my greyhounds Off the lead, I just couldn't be confident I'd get them back but I do hire an enclosed field for £5 30 mins twice a week. My current grey runs for 2 minutes then stands next to me for the next 28!

We have 2 children, who are now 10 and 11. when my youngest was a toddler when we adopted our first greyhound, she did growl at him once when he trod on her getting onto the settee . It was my fault, I should have watched him closer but she growled, then took herself off to her bed. That's the only time either of my greys have growled and I've never heard this one bark.

I think sometimes my kids would like a more playful, enthusiastic dog but I like that she's so calm and gentle, I don't worry about her knocking them over or accidentally hurting them.

I muzzle when in the garden just incase next doors cat makes an appearance. Greyhounds are usually muzzle trained from their racing days so she doesn't bat an eyelid when I put it on.

I'd recommend Celia Cross greyhound trust. We've had two greyhounds from there, both lovely dogs and great for family life and children.

@Katiepants27

Whippet lover here...

Pros: clean, don't smell "doggy", sweet natured, calm and quiet in the house, don't really need much training as naturally want to be as close to you as possible, will happily hike 20 miles or spend all day slobbing on the sofa with you if you don't fancy going out.

Cons: can be prone to separation anxiety as they form incredibly strong bonds with their families, not suited to being left along for long periods of time (see above re: wanting to be close to you), generally aloof and disinterested in non- family members, they feel the cold and need a comfortable place to lie down wherever they are. If you don't want dogs on a sofa then this is not the breed for you. They generally don't play fetch or swim like other breeds.

In short, as long as you can meet their physical (a sofa and a warm coat) and emotional (let them be close to you whenever possible) needs then they are the loveliest dogs and I think I'll never be without one ❤

My whippet is a bit weird in that he loves everyone and I mean everyone he meets.

When I take him to the park he basically throws himself at strangers and asks them for pats. It’s not unknown for him to lean against their legs and give them a sad, neglected look. People must think I never give him attention

We have a possible greyhound! A dog charity has rung us and thinks we match this (lovely) greyhound. It seems to be moving fast though- they'd like us to take him in just over a week!!
Has anyone else experience of this?
With covid, we can't do the usual few visits to meet him, they've said they'll do a Zoom home check, then just bring him and hand over.
Any thoughts??

Hi. We adopted two greyhounds during lockdown. Beautiful dogs and great with our kids. We went through the greyhound trust in Swindon who were brilliant. We tried the Oxford branch who were unable to help as we have kids. We met both dogs before adoption albeit just the once. They then brought them to us on their respective moving in days.

Hi. We adopted two greyhounds during lockdown. Beautiful dogs and great with our kids. We went through the greyhound trust in Swindon who were brilliant. We tried the Oxford branch who were unable to help as we have kids. We met both dogs before adoption albeit just the once. They then brought them to us on their respective moving in days. It was all done in a socially distanced way.

Ah, that's great to hear. We're both excited but nervous. After being asked to talk it through by a greyhound charity for 2 hours plus on the phone, it just seems very fast!

The not meeting the dog until handover is slightly worrying me. It's putting all my faith in the charity I suppose.

What is their health generally like?
Would it be a problem if everyone out the house three days a weeks? But still wales 2x a day?

Their health seems fine, nothing mentioned at all by the lady on the phone today.

Until autumn my dh is here all day. I work in a school so leave home at 8, return for lunch 1145-1215, and am home at 340. I also have all the holidays.

From autumn, the dog would be without dh for max 2 days a week, with me still returning for lunch. We'd get a dog walker for the now maximum 2 days needed if the dog was unhappy at being left for the 3hrs45 mins period.

Good point though, I'll ask about health tomorrow when we chat, thanks!

No I actually am interested in answers from other owners as I’m interested to getting!!

Lurches and greyhounds are beautiful gentle dogs and very funny ! We have a rescue lurcher and he is the soppiest thing ever we adore him. Have to be very careful with cats. We only let him off his lead when we are sure none around and he has a run for 2 mins then comes back worn out. He loves a lead walk too. Highly recommend rescuing one as so many needing homes so sad they mainly live to be cosy and warm and love sleeping

Ime Lurchers /pointy hounds are robust health wise.. They are likely to have bad teeth in time (vet's note).. So toothbrushing /lots of raw veg works for us..
After our 10 yo cost me £800 in November 2019...still in shock!! She needed 10 teeth out!

Our rescue lurcher is just perfect. We got him aged 4 months old, he was picked up from the streets. He's 9 now. We've got kids aged 6 and 3. Ddog is good as gold. Likes a walk every day but will survive if you really can't. Equally happy to walk for miles of the opportunity presents itself. Likes doing zoomies. Then sticks to my heels. Sleeps all day at home. Thinks all the children out and about are his. Absolutely fine with the cat. He's clearly a greyhound mix.

However the lurcher we had previously was totally different. He was a whippet x collie x boxer, so both lurchers but very different. He was extremely reactive to other dogs when on lead. And chased anything and everything when off lead. On paper both dogs were similar, in reality totally different.

For the age of your kids, a greyhound would probably be fine but just wanted to warn any people who have younger kids, greyhounds are not always ideal. Without going into major detail, I have personal experience of a young child getting bitten by a very lovely, gentle greyhound. He, like many other greyhounds, had what is called a 'sleep startle' (discovered after the accident). The child innocently tripped up on the dog (greyhounds are big and gangly and often lay wherever they want!) And this resulted in the sleep startle reaction, and a bite to the child's face. He was a dog that was very used to kids, and this was something that was obviously unexpected and out of the blue, and not the dog or child's fault. Greyhounds can be very sensitive.

We have an Italian Greyhound and a Whippet in the family. They are a lot smaller and very, very family friendly. They are wonderful with the children in my extended family. I would recommend either of these breeds!

I have two greyhounds who are very different in temperament. One is a slinky little cat dog who is super clever and highly strung, the other a great big oaf who wants endless exercise and cuddles. They both live happily with our two cats. I can let them off lead as long as we're not near any roads, as they have no road sense.

They both sleep startle, so I would warn your kids to be very careful not to wake them unexpectedly. They also sleep with their eyes open a lot so sometimes you can't tell. I always wake them with a gentle stroke or make noise as I'm approaching.

Also, I would never have a different breed of dog again. Greyhounds till I die! I love them.

Wolverhampton greyhound trust are great. I highly recommend them.