Dog and pond

[Roodog]

We have a greyhound, been with us almost 6 months. We're moving house shortly and it looks like the vendors are gifting us the fish in the pond. We're quite happy with this, however we do wonder whether the dog is likely to show interest? He's never really shown an interest in water when out walking, while friends' water loving breeds throw themselves in lakes and rivers, ours just looks on with mild disdain. So I'm not that worried about a smallish fish pond, however some members of the family think he will turn in to a fisher dog.

Does anyone have any experience of hounds and ponds? I'm not really that worried because even if he shows initial interest, I would just work on training him to leave it alone. Just interested in case anyone has experience. Thanks.

Greyhounds aren't renowned for liking water, so they're probably safe unless your dog suddenly has an identity crisis and thinks he's a spaniel.

I would, however, consider putting chicken wire on the top to protect them from cats, herons and greyhounds with an identity crisis.

I grew up with poodles and ponds in the garden and they never showed the slightest interest. Poodles are apparently water dogs too but none of mine ever got the memo as they wouldn't even walk through puddles.

I’ve had cats and fish tanks.... is that like the small scale version of greyhounds and fish in a pond? Rofl

They went - ooh moving things... OMG, they’re in wet!!!! and that was pretty much it as far as their interest went.

@LarsErickssong Our poodle also hated water

Had water loving dogs in two different homes with ponds of reasonable sizes. My own dogs showed zero interest in resident fish. Sometimes they'd drink from the pond but that's about it. No interest in jumping in etc.
Only you g Visiting dogs were very inquisitive so I never let them near the edge.
Worst case scenario the dog gets wet and smelly and struggles to get out.
I'd suggest introducing the dog to the pond during daylight so they don't accidentally fall in (it does happen!) but simply ignore the dog, don't make a point of it showing him/her the pond. If you have younger children, ask them not to encourage the dog to get in the water just to be on the safe side.
Ideally try not to throw balls or toys if there's a risk they might end up in the water as the dog will simply jump in after them.
Fish and dog will be fine

We only ever had gold fish size fish, max 10cm long. Herons and all that, permanent replacement duties... Big bright fish, no idea how dogs react to that.

Our greyhound used to love swimming in rivers and lakes after we walked with a friend's labrador who showed him the joy of water. He was completely uninterested in big puddles or garden ponds. He might have fallen into it while chasing a squirrel in the garden but I doubt he'd have been interested in the fish at all.

Thanks all, you've reflected what I was thinking. There is already netting around, herons are a terror. I don't think he'll show much interest unless there's a cat or a squirrel in there!

My dogs would be in swimming so I would get rid of it. Advertise the fish free or contact local aquatic shop they will take them.

Your greyhound will love the herons!

@Nightbear we see loads on our regular walks, they're so still he just doesn't see them, then when they fly he just ignores them. If he can't run in a straight line toward a moving target it seems to pass him by! Guess that's his racing programming.

Our greyhound avoided water for several months till we took him to the seaside. Since then he regularly enjoys a paddle in streams and ponds. That said, we have a small formal pond in the garden (no fish) and he has never been interested in it.

Ah. I have a terrier. She has yet to find something she doesn’t want to chase and/or bark at.