Greyhound (or just general dog) Essentials

[MoonCowbag]

In early 2022 we're re-homing an ex-racing greyhound.

I'm currently making a list of everything we need to get in place before we bring home the new addition to our family.

The dog will come from the rescue centre with collar and lead, muzzle, 1 month of PetPlan insurance (which we'll arrange to continue) and a starter pack of food. Will also be microchipped, neutered, and vaccinated.

So far I have the following:
Bed (plan to buy a BIG soft bed and also have an old duvet in a cover as I gather greys like these)*
Food and water bowls (planning to get a double elevated feeding stand)
Dog coat
A few toys
Old towels for drying after walk
Grooming mitt/brush
Pet guard for back of car
Dental care bits
Flea and worming supplies
Dog tag with contact details
Considering an Adaptil plugin or similar to help with settling

While probably not essential, I'm also planning to get a Hatchbag boot liner for our car - both to make it a bit more comfortable and protect the boot. Will probably stick another folded up duvet in for further comfort.

Will also need to register with vet.

*fully expecting to lose the soft to the dog though

If anyone has any book recommendations for a first-time greyhound owner, I would also appreciate it. I've done a lot of research into the breed (over several years) but I do like a book to read!

Am I missing anything really obvious off my list? Any other advice to help a greyhound settle in with us?

At this time of year, a light up collar

Enzyme cleaner in case of puddles during the settling in period.

Maybe nail clippers

Water bottle for walks - we have this and highly rate it as you squeeze it to fill the attached dish and any excess water goes back into the bottle - www.campingworld.co.uk/en/PMS-Crufts-Travel-Water-Bottle/m-28696.aspx

Shampoo - not sure if greyhounds are as attracted to fox poo as my cocker but the animology fox poo shampoo is good.

Check the legal requirements for what to put on the tag - you have to have your address (door number & postcode should suffice though, I think).

In my experience you'll need another sofa, as it will take over yours, ditto bed!

At this time of year, a light up collar
That's definitely a good idea. We had one of those for our black lab when I was a kid and it was amazing. Although I'm not sure how quickly we'll be confident doing off-lead walks!

Maybe nail clippers
Cripes, I'm not sure I'll be brave enough to clip myself. Might be a vet job!

Enzyme cleaner is a good shout. We've got some but it's for human wee, not sure if it'll work for other species, but I'll check.

In my experience you'll need another sofa, as it will take over yours, ditto bed!
I can't wait!

Adding shampoo and a doggy water bottle to my list now.

I didn't realise there were legal requirements for the tag, so thank you for point that out @AwkwardPaws27.

Realise I'd forgotten poo bags! Is one of the little dispensers that attaches to the lead a good shout, or should I just get a bumbag (for poo bags and treats)?

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm updating my spreadsheet.

More coats. My skinny lurcher is rocking a onesie in the house, and then a thicker coat or overall (he adores his Hurtta one) outside at this time of year as he really does get cold. You'll need a house collar for their tag to go on, and then decide on what sort of walking collar you like. I prefer nice wide martingale collars for mine as opposed to the traditional leather sighthound collars.
You'll need nail clippers. Its best to try and do a tiny bit every couple of weeks, esp if they have black nails as they have very strong nails.
I've been very pleased with hatchbag, they really keep the car clean, but you'll need a folded up duvet for comfort . I put a piece of vetbed on top of the duvet as its so easy to wash and dry after muddy feet.
Find out about secure fields near you. Its lovely to be able to let them off, and you may be able to get in a sighthound playgroup for them to run together. As soon as you have a pointy you will meet so many lovely people, so make sure to memorise your dogs racing name, wins, pedigree! Greyhound owners like to know these things

I got a combined holder for poo bags, treats and hand sanitiser from a small business - www.etsy.com/uk/listing/925986612/handmade-clip-on-waterproof-treat-pouch

They also sell little pouches for full poo bags - like mini zip up wet bags - absolutely brilliant when you are on a walk & no poo bins in sight, so you can stash the poop rather than walk a mile holding a full baggy

Sounds like you're well prepared. I have 2 ex racers. They are FABULOUS.

I have never washed my dogs. They're not off lead so not prone to rolling in anything.

We have a rain coat, a fleece and a warm waterproof with fleece lining. All bases covered!

They love being groomed.

Most ex racers have awful teeth. The kennels might show you how to clean them. One of ours has had loads out but the other one hasn't had any problems.

They're addictive and love other greyhounds so you might want to add a 2nd to your list 😀

Oh the things I didn't realise were the following (if they've come from kennels not foster)...

They won't have seen stairs or glass windows or doors.

Their prey drive is strong so even on lead walks be careful of cats in bushes!

More excellent advice, thank you!

Find out about secure fields near you. Its lovely to be able to let them off, and you may be able to get in a sighthound playgroup for them to run together. As soon as you have a pointy you will meet so many lovely people, so make sure to memorise your dogs racing name, wins, pedigree! Greyhound owners like to know these things

We're really lucky as we live near a secure dog walking park. It's quite a large area with woods and mown walkways all around and has high fencing all round the perimeter. My parents also own a small field. I'm looking forward to meeting lots of sighthound owners too. There are loads around where we live!

That's a good reminder about glass. I'd read that before but forgot. We have French doors in our kitchen and living room so I need to get something to make sure the glass is nice and obvious to the dog.

They're addictive and love other greyhounds so you might want to add a 2nd to your list

Ooh don't. I've love two but my husband will take some convincing. I'm hoping one will go well and then maybe I can talk him around.

My husband works from home and I'm part time, so the dog won't be short of human company at least.

@Gargyloop - do you have raised food and water bowls for your hounds? I'm looking for recommendations if you have any.

Definitely a housecoat especially if your house is cool at night. Our greyhound had a fleecy bedtime coat for autumn/winter so that she didn’t get chilly at night with the heating off.

Also perhaps a harness instead of or as well as a traditional collar. Our greyhound was very easy to walk but she could statue (i.e stop walking and refuse point blank to move) or suddenly dart behind us when approached by a small dog. A harness was much better than the traditional round the neck lead as we could give her a gentle pull if she stopped moving or if she bolted then it wouldn’t hurt her neck. There’s some good soft padded ones out that there.

Ah yes as a PP says a toothbrush and toothpaste are a must. Greyhounds do tend to have bad teeth from their racing diet I assume. We brushed ours regularly but she still had to have a few out when she was around 11.

Also, do you have any slippery floors that might require a mat/rug?

I taught Ddog to drink from a sports bottle, found it much easier to pack in a bag or pocket than the bottle with dish attached.

Our vets do a monthly pet plan that for £16 a month cover all flea and working each month, annual boosters and health check and one free vet consultation should you need it.

With you pet insurance even though you get a month free make sure the one you set up over laps as usually you can’t claim in the first two weeks of a new policy.

Our bathrooms are too small to bath our lurcher but we have a plasterer’s bath that we can put in the garden and fill when he’s particularly stinky!

Look at Spudscoats (Etsy) or Dog and Home for coats, vests etc. Our hound loves a vest indoors. Also a blanket (fleece one, cheap is fine) to cover up with at night (they like to be tucked in).
There are very long caterpillar toys that are popular with greys as they can cuddle up to something more their size. they are about £15 I think. Don't be too surprised if he/ she doesn't play as you might expect. They are very different to other dogs- so bowing and stretching is playing, may not play fetch (mine has literally no clue!).
First aid kit: gauze pads, self-adhesive bandage, antiseptic spray. They are thin skinned and can get cuts quite easily.
Do you get two collars? You need a house collar and a fishtail or martingale collar for walks (ask the rescue to show you how to fit the collar for walks, it sits differently- just behind the ears).
I am a total greyhound convert and desperately want another one.

We just got the raised stands from the kennels

Ours are both walked on haltis or Cani collars.

One of ours does canicross in harness so he's been taught to pull in harness.

Ahem! We clearly need more gorgeous sighthound photos on this thread.

@QueenofLouisiana

Ahem! We clearly need more gorgeous sighthound photos on this thread.

I knew something was missing from this thread!

@SnarkyBag excellent roaching photos! Gorgeous hound!

Have a google of cuddlepillars. All greyhounds need a cuddle pillar.

You need the biggest, thickest dog bed in the world. Greys don't curl up like other dogs and god forbid any part of their precious selves should touch the floor!

If you are going to let off-lead you might want a racing muzzle. They like to play the bitey-head game, which is super fun for two sight hounds, but can be a bit alarming to other breeds. They will also cheerfully snaffle any wildlife that comes within a country mile. We found that ours were more than happy to wear muzzles as soon as they realised that meant a run.

You obviously need hundreds of spectacular martingale collars from one of the specialist makers. Never leave them on in the house though.

You might want a dog bowl stand. They is a school of thought that shouldn't eat off the floor because they are princesses it can cause digestive problems.

Sorry to butt in .. 🤦🏼‍♀️ I'd absolutely love a greyhound or maybe a whippet or lurcher. I have three children under 7 though. I was wondering if I could ask what people's experiences are of these dogs around children? Or is it something I'll have to keep postponing until they're older. 😔

Oh we've never needed indoor coats. They love a sofa though!

Yes this is one with 3 paws on the other ones head. Happy days.

@QueenofLouisiana Ours looked at us like we were losing our minds if we threw a ball for her. 'Stupid human, now you have lost your ball'

@MoonCowbag Also note, they can't really swim. Ours launched herself into a deep pond after a duck and DH had to go in for her!

My late, great Lurcher was called Morse and he was the bestest boy with a ridiculously smiley face.

A couple of things to add to your list, but things for you/DH as opposed to Ddog:

1. nerves of steel, so that you stand stock still when they come running directly at you. They'll swerve at the last minute.

2. eye protection. You'll get poked in the eye regularly with a pointy nose that is a cross between the end of a snooker cue and the rubbery end of a shuttlecock.

(And for dog coats, we got fantastic ones from DryDogs.co.uk)

We'd love to see photos when the new arrival arrives!