Why would anyone want a greyhound/ whippet?

[Nightshift24]

In my experience the prey drive is so strong in these dogs that they will hunt wildlife to the point that they cannot be let them off the lead incase they go for a rabbit or squirrel. That’s fine if they have responsible owners but many people continue to let them off. I know greyhounds that have killed cats. They have even been known to go for small dogs. What are the redeeming features?

Greyhounds are such funny gentle dogs. They're not really dogs, I swear they are aliens. Mine never barks, but calls for attention in the morning, pulls some ridiculous faces and poses.

They are so full of character and completely loopy.

Totally fine with that. Where I am this seems to be the exception though!

I always had cats before my greyhound. They killed so much wildlife though it was carnage , so I’m not having a cat again.

'Dogs shouldn't be allowed off lead'
These comments...
You are aware that humanity have owned dogs for several thousands years at this point, dog ownership wasn't invented in 2020.
Give me strength. I, as a dog owner, also hate other dog owners who don't train, control or pick up after their dog.
That doesn't mean my well behaved dog shouldn't be allowed to run around the local park.
If we're going to apply that logic then we're going to need to start leashing all men, seeing as lots of them are well behaved but also quite a lot of them like to be violent to other humans.
Oh, sorry - do I sound mad? Is that an insane suggestion? Is it 'not the same thing?' I actually don't care.

My greyhound is the most relaxed dog I have experience of. Good with dogs(big and small), cats and has never killed any animal. Does have a prey drive and has rooted out a rat before but didn’t catch it. Great with people and absolutely no unwarranted aggression. I got her because they are good for first time owners and my DH was scared of dogs to begin with - absolutely would have another and I am a total convert!

I don't understand either, OP. I have a spaniel that can barely be bothered to chase a pigeon out of the garden and, if he caught up with it, he'd just stand looking at it quizzically.

[Looks down at the aforementioned spaniel who has already had an hours walk this morning and will need taking for another hour later, regardless of weather]

[Then looks at the muddy paw prints he has trapsed through the house for the AGAIN and sighs about having the clean carpets AGAIN]

[Then gets up to open a window to let some fresh air to try and erode the awful 'damp spaniel' smell that is present]

Nope, no idea why someone would go for a grey hound.....

Whippets and greyhounds may have an instinct to chase, but they mostly don’t want to actually catch. My greyhound will chase a squirrel across a park but will then wait politely for it to climb away up a tree - he doesn’t want to kill it or even get it in his mouth. The chase is the drive, not the kill.

Greyhounds are very gentle towards people. They are low-need dogs, perfect for homes that aren't doing 10 mile treks a day or homes where owners need to work etc. I go on a sighthound walk occasionally and the greys are chilled out, sweet natured, and frankly easy dogs. A lot of retired people seem to have them. I think a thread attempting to demonise them is awful as so many need homes, and if a significant portion of dog owners were really honest with what they can give to a dog, what needs they can actually meet, they would get a greyhound rather than a cockerpoo, working spaniel, working lab, pointer, working gsd etc. (disclaimer: obviously working dogs are more appealing to those who have active lives or work dogs etc...)

As for prey drive, well my young saluki x has an enormous prey drive, but has yet to tear apart any small furries. I don't let her off in my closest woods that are heaving with squirrels because (even if they are overpopulated due to being fed by people) I would be sad to see one die, but I do let her off in the two fields either side of the woods so she gets her exercise. Most owners of sighthounds are careful about where they let them off lead. Really though, catching the occasional rabbit or squirrel isn't a big deal. Cats aren't stupid and don't come into our garden. I never see sighthounds (or any dogs, really) off lead pavement walking, so cats in front gardens should be safe (I know that this isn't always the case, but that's down to bad owners, not bad dogs).

Dad has a retired racing greyhound - ideal pet as a companion as it needs one good run / walk a day then is happy to chill out. Only time it’s ever chased anything was in the dog field near me - a rabbit bolted and several dogs gave chase, greyhound eagerly joined the race when he saw the other dogs running but had no idea what to do when he outran them!

I got a foster lurcher to leave my cats alone. Quickly.
She would stop & stare for so long when she saw potential prey, out & about, that it was easy to grab her (off-lead).
She wouldn't have had a clue what to do if she did catch something, anyway.

Because they are lovely gentle dogs. Also, many greyhounds are rescue dogs. Do you actually know many?

I dog walk and i don't know a dog that won't chase a cat - from labs to terriers to cockapoos to spaniels - actually the biggest 'killer' I've met was a working spaniel who could dispatch a rabbit in a second. Generally though cats are way too smart to be caught by any dog, cats are far bigger killers and far, far more of a threat to wildlife - just ask Chris Packham. I'd never own a cat.

I actually owned a whippet, he loved to chase deer given half a chance, certainly never brought one down! He never actually caught or killed anything in his whole life, he just liked to chase.

Dogs need to run, play and explore, the idea that they should never be allowed off lead is ludicrous to me, but I live in the countryside where no one thinks twice about letting their dog off to run around.

We have two retired racers, the sweetest and most beautiful hounds you can imagine. They are walked on lead twice daily and, weather permitting, go to a secure dog field ( run around like loonies for ten minutes then stretch out on the grass 😴) to stretch their lanky legs.

Neither of our dogs have ever hurt any animal or person.

I think it's because there are a lot of them in the rescues. That's where the people I know got theirs.

One in particular (from SM) seems to be a very spoilt pooch!

Cats are probably a much bigger issue to wild life

Why do you want a dog at all, smelly, noisy, poop machines

Quite simply dog owners do not particularly care about animals other than their dog.

This thread is hilarious!

Our greyhound lives happily with 2 cats and a young child. We were matched to a grey with a low preydrive. She walks on the lead really well, never barks, is friendly and loving and great with our child. We always walk her on the lead as she's a bit daft and has no recall but she enjoys her walks and runs and plays in the garden. She's been the perfect dog for us!

To caveat my last post ... not hilarious as in what a jolly laugh it is to read of greys tearing a cat to pieces . That's truly awful and heartbreaking. Must be awful to witness .

I mean asking why anyone would own any dog other than a teeny tiny toy breed is such an odd question.

Tbf the one i know just chases he tail and flies. He would be rubbish at racing, he's very excitable and always leaping about but ive never seen him chase anything

That's a massive generalisation

My Cavachon caught and killed a bunny in our garden, you could not have asked for a soppier dog, but it's natural instinct, any and all dogs are capable of killing rabbits, squirrels, mice, rats etc

This is the most outrageously untrue generalisation I have ever read, so thanks for the laugh 😆

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I’ll be sure to let our cats and horse know that the dog is the only one that matters 🤣