Greyhounds - how trainable?

[Bubbleswithsqueak]

I know that retired racers are often suggested as an 'easy' breed on here. But how trainable is a greyhound (particularly one got as a puppy)? We own gundogs, and have never had a hound. Other than chasing small furry things, is a reasonable standard of obedience possible? Can you train/shape behaviours? Are they intelligent dogs?!

My understanding is greyhounds are lovely dogs but generally not particularly bright, they're the nice but dim types.

My friend has a retired greyhound and this is certainly true of him.

My experience is more with lurchers than greyhounds, though I have fostered a few greyhound puppies. Nice but dim is certainly generally true, and not the 'rewarded by pleasing you' of gundogs. But with consistent training and really high value treats/rewards that suit the particular dog they are trainable and some people do obedience and agility with them

Our guy is somewhat trainable within parameters of very limited recall and extremely high prey drive. But he has been taught good manners, will sit and wait for food, lies down on command, walks when asked. So yes absolutely lovely but not the brightest.

We have a whippet puppy having previously had a lab and spaniel. She is very bright , sharper than either of the gun dogs but also far more opinionated and less inclined to do as asked if she doesn't feel like it, when she is in the mood she is brilliant , when she isn't she has the perfect 'no' face !

I have owned greyhounds for the last 10 years and found the following to be true

Recall - only good when there is nothing about to chase (smaller dogs, cats , rabbits). Our current hound has great recall skills until something grabs his attention and he's gone - no matter how much training he has had. It's their instinct.

Manners - fab with waiting to get food, understands they are not allowed on the bed, never done the toilet in the home. Generally quiet and pleasant to have around.

Lazy - don't be fooled by the fact they used to be athletes . Some don't appreciate anything more than a 20 minute walk. They also tend to hate being outside when it's cold / wet due to their thin coats and skin.

Training - my current hound can give a paw and will listen when told to leave something alone or lie down . But that's about it - greyhounds can't really sit due to their structure and struggle with other commands as they can get easily distracted.

Personality - they tend to be quite "aloof". Our has not interest in playing with us or cuddling on the sofa . He does his own thing - he's comes to us when he wants attention not the other way around . Some people could get bored quickly .

This is only based on my experience with hounds - I appreciate they are all different . I wouldn't have another breed now as they are very loving in their own little way, and the aversion to cold weather suits me too !

I think they’re smarter than they let on, but a bit like cats - it’s on their terms. Toilet training was very easy, his recall is generally very good, will lie down or sit for a treat, wait for a cue for food, will lift a paw when asked, will lie down when we eat. He was sceptical when we had a go on training equipment and is unenthused (or useless) with things that hide treats. Likes to chase after a tennis ball but generally won’t bring it back.....

Ours loves to run most days but will also enjoy a several mile walk.

All the greyhounds I have known have been very emotionally intelligent. But they vary on trainability.
They aren’t very good motivated so it is herder to get them to do tricks.

*food motivated

Having previously had spaniels and terriers, our lurcher boy has been a bit of a shock. He is sweet but dim, very gentle and good natured, just snoozes all day at home, and can do some very basic commands, but as previously mentioned, only when he feels like it. Walking with friends, if I make a kissy noise, every dog turns around and comes straight over for a treat, apart from my boy. He will look, weigh up whether it is worth the return trip to get a treat, and it is 50/50 whether he will come to me. His recall is good though (to a whistle), but he won’t come back to hand, just back to the general vicinity, and will whinge a lot if asked to wait so I can approach him to attach the lead. It really has to be made worth his while to do anything, and training sessions can only be about 30 seconds before he gets bored and just wanders off. He is very polite though, doesn’t bark and is quietly affectionate. I wouldn’t have anything other than sighthounds now, even though they are tricky beasts.

Thanks all, this is really useful! Keep it coming...

I've had my Lurcher/greyhound (99% greyhound) for 7 years now . He came from a rescue centre after having been found walking the streets.
On arrival he lacked personality and was very timid . Loud noises frightened him.
In the last 6 years he quickly transformed into a very loving friend and loyal companion. He responds well to touch and care and cuddles up to me on the sofa at night with a lot of 'roaching'.
At times he appears dim but I find that to be very selective. I believe the intelligence is there but will only show when it suits him!!
Plods next to me on the lead (always has done)
Loves his grub and in the early days would steal any food on show but has been trained not to (to a degree)
He will sit,lie and give paws and kisses on demand.
When let off the lead in an enclosed space he will run in circles and quickly returns but if distracted will wander off for a sniff. If he spots a cat he will ALWAYS chase it.
I never leave food unattended.
He is the most loving dog I have ever and will happily snooze 23 hours a day.
They can be large but curl up nicely.
If you are looking for an ''easy'' breed I would recommend a greyhound.
If you are looking for an energetic dog to walk for miles I would recommend many other types of dog like a spaniel.
I cannot ever think of losing my beloved companion but if I were to ever consider another dog it would be the same breed.

Echo what Poppy101010 said - however, mine have never been aloof. Love attention, follow me everywhere and nudge me when I (dare) stop giving claps.

Used to gun dogs in the past but I'd never see past a hound now. While they're more difficult to train, they are so docile and sleep so much that it doesn't really matter.