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?

Our pair, over the bridge now and much missed.

@2reefsin30knots love the photo of synchronised snoozing.
@Gargyloop they have no sense of personal space, do they?

However much sofa space you have... double it!

[quote QueenofLouisiana]@2reefsin30knots love the photo of synchronised snoozing.
@Gargyloop they have no sense of personal space, do they?[/quote]
Nope!

Simple solution and a stack of old towels.

Electric toothbrush (or at least a separate head for the dog) - much easier than manual - just lift the dog's lip out of the way to expose the gumline - don't need toothpaste really. Cleans better too.

Dentastix

"Dino" (ostrich) bone

Schmackos

Poo bags are a bit crappy (sorry), rolls of cheap binliners are better (GHs do big and sometimes very smeary poos, typically on top of, you know, nettles).

I recommend teaching them to budge up (or get down from) the sofa from day 1. V important!

Also, in kennels, all food they see being prepared is for them. It is a terrible shock when they discover this is no longer true....

Good luck, they're sweet dogs.

Oh yes. We had to get decent poo bags. Nappy sacks aren't strong enough!

Oh how exciting OP!

Your list sounds great I would also say a fleece/jumper or 2 for days that are too cold for nothing but dry and too warm for heavy coat

Also maybe it's just our 2 but be prepared to have to work a bit to find the right food.

Also don't be discourages if the toys go completely ignored. Our first girl took about 4 months to really start playing and even now its off and on.

You have such an exciting journey ahead OP! Pictures of my two in the hopes we might get a peak of your new addition. Congratulations!

Mtiple beds. I think we have about 5 scattered around the house as our Saluki X greyhound has a tendency to dramatically cry if she doesn't have a soft bed exactly where she is standing for more than 3 minutes at a time.

Ditto a soft bed for the car boot. Without ours will stand uncomfortably and fall over every time we go round a corner. With a soft bed in there she curls up and sleeps away.

Has anyone warned you about the theivery

@Teaandcakeordeath83

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. 😔

They can be absolutely fabulous with young children (ours is a total softie despite being quite a nervous dog in general) but I'd also say they don't know their own size, so a whippet might be something to consider. Our Saluki X grey is just so clumsy and despite being a very elegant dog to look at has given us black eyes and fat lips just from total lack of grace. They also have a horror of a teenage period so an ex-racer can be a better option than a pup (though they do come with their own set of issues). A lot of rescues won't re-home to young children because of their energy and tendency to take legs out.

Electric toothbrush (or at least a separate head for the dog)

What do they sleep on in kennels?

Agree with the flashing collar, useful for lead walking as well.

I think they sleep on blankets, old duvets and a combination of shredded paper or straw at the kennels one came from. Also they sleep in layers of fleeces.

[quote 2reefsin30knots]@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! [/quote]
Our greyhound used to love a swim. We looked after a friend’s Labrador who was on and out of the river, and the grey just followed him. He had to try really hard due to his lack of natural buoyancy, but he loved it and would fling himself into any river for a swim from then on. I don’t think he’d have worked it out without a demonstration though!

@Teaandcakeordeath83

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. 😔

We've got two children. They're 3 and 5. I've chosen a greyhound who has a good track record of matching dogs to homes and has successfully homed many greyhounds in houses with children.

I haven't "chosen a greyhound"... I've chosen a greyhound rehoming charity... doh.

Thank you for all the lovely hound photos and excellent advice.

I've told DH a cuddlepillar is an essential purchase.

Don't overwhelm them with toys - ex-racers have never been taught to play. You'll have a better chance encouraging DDog to play if you pick one toy and introduce it very gradually. Don't be surprised if it never takes though - our family greys have never played with toys or chased balls.

Food - ours have always been princesses who demand tuna and mince. The smell of mince boiling on the stove ( not envy) is the smell of my childhood... Go carefully with their stomachs, particularly with treats. If in doubt or there's a dodgy tum, go back to boiled rice and chicken for a bit.

The first time a racer sees a set of stairs is usually hilarious by the way, so be ready for that.

You sound like you're up for a Velcro dog, but it's also important that they have a safe retreat space, especially if there are children in the house. Ours always had the back porch and we were trained to not approach them there.

I've chosen a greyhound who has a good track record of matching dogs to homes

This image is just wonderful

Yeah I'd treat that greyhound with respect! I imagine he has a clipboard and glasses

Not sure if anyone has mentioned yet but call around your local vets and register with them ASAP

You may be lucky in an area without a wait time but near me is awful.
I have been waiting to transfer vets for 4 months! And still they are saying it's going to be another month or two

Thankfully I have got a vet but we have lost trust in them after bodging an operation

You sound like you're up for a Velcro dog, but it's also important that they have a safe retreat space, especially if there are children in the house. Ours always had the back porch and we were trained to not approach them there.

Yes, I'm totally on-board with this. We'll be teaching the kids not to pester when sleeping/eating/chilling from the outset. They already have experience with this from being around my mum's dog a fair bit anyway. We also have an office, which the kids aren't really allowed in, and will probably use that as the dog's safe haven. Either that or he/she can have the spare bed.

I've just been looking at all your lovely hound photos again and getting excited.

I do want a velcro dog though, I won't lie. I hope there are lots of doggy cuddles in my future!

Congratulations on becoming a greyhound parent. We have three. Think you have everything covered here.

No-one’s mentioned books yet. Mary Fox’s “Understanding Greyhounds” is brilliant. It was (and still is) our go-to book for practical stuff, especially recall training, and puts a lot of context into things by looking at greyhounds’ history over the last couple of thousand years. It’s very reassuring.

On practical stuff, we use a dremel for nail trimming. A used mineral water bottle and an old plastic takeaway carton for drinking water on walks. Ostrich bones are good for teeth but also things like rabbits ears, fish skin cubes, deer legs (we’ve got ours one for Christmas!). Ours loves to chase a tennis ball. Can’t always be bothered to bring it back. He’s also very good at finding other dogs’ lost ones in the undergrowth when he’s mooching.....

@Definitelyrandom thank you for the book recommendation. I have ordered it!

What kind of harnesses do people recommend?

This sort of thing? drydogs.co.uk/products/sighthound-escape-proof-harness

I am just amusing myself looking at the range of greyhound clothing and coats that are available. This could get expensive quite quickly...

We just use a harness for the car - otherwise still we just use the fishtail collar and lead he came with. Certainly, people who do use harnesses recommend the ones with a third strap for added security.

Re coats, ours now has a knitted one for cold nights, a fleece for cold dry walks, a waterproof with a warm fleece for wet, cold walks, a very waterproof Barbour type coat with a thin lining for wet, cool walks and a fold away for summer showers.......you can get lured in very easily, though it’s fair to say these were all fairly reasonably priced.

I thought I'd come back to this to let you all know that a four-legged friend did join our family in the end.

Stumbled upon him completely by chance. He's from a different Sighthound rescue to the one we originally intended to visit. But he was too perfect (for us) to pass up.

I feel very lucky to have him as the rescue was inundated with interest in him, but the lovely lady who runs it said she had a feeling he was "our" dog, so let us come to see him before anyone else.

I think she was right!

All the advice in this thread has been incredibly helpful, so thank you again everyone.