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?

Most dogs will chase a cat or rabbit, it's just greyhounds are fast enough to actually catch them. I once saw a JRT swim into a pond, catch a duckling and eat it whilst still on the water.

Just put racing muzzles on a grey to let them off lead.

We've had two lurchers, one a saluki cross and one a whippet lab.
Both rescue dogs and both would chase squirrels, birds and cats.
The whippet lab, or whippador as is the trendy name, was fine with other dogs off lead until he was attacked, age about 4, by 3 West Highland Terriers. After that he would randomly go for similar dogs and we have had to keep him on the lead.
The saluki cross, now sadly gone, was fine with other dogs but couldn't be trusted not to chase any small animals. She was a beautiful dog and a joy to watch when she was running.

A growing number of people have no intention of ever letting their dog off the lead, whatever the breed, so I guess it isn't a big deal to them. I wouldn't have one but I can see the attraction of a short coat and needing minimal exercise in this weather. No mud....

Just put racing muzzles on a grey to let them off lead.

A muzzle won't stop them giving chase and disappearing off into the distance though!

My whippet would absolutely love to catch a bird or a squirrel. He's 1 year old so theoretically in his prime. He's spent 1 hour a day for the last 6 months working hard at this particular life goal, but to no avail. He's never managed it. So please less of this 'cold hearted killer' chat - please think of his self esteem!

My lurcher is scruffy coated but still
manages to avoid the mud. When we go on walks I come back plastered and he comes back with slightly wet feet. It’s like he repels it 🤣

My dog is never off lead except for on my local beach when no one is around.

You brought cats into it so what do you expect? 😂They are going to be compared.

It comes across as pretty disingenuous to ponder as to why people would have an animal which will kill wildlife and what the redeeming features could possibly be, when one of the animals you say they kill is also out killing some of the same animals.

As for your last sentence about how you "fucking hate dog owners", it's they hypocrisy of cat owners that tends to cause these conversations to go as they do.

I adore sight hounds - although I have Spanish Podencos rather than grey hounds or whippets. Mine have varying degrees of prey drive, mainly for squirrels which none have ever come close to catching, lol. They live happily with my cats too. Beautiful to look at, so loving, just all round wonderful dogs.

I’m scared of collies. They bark and lunge at you and don’t seem very nice. Especially when I’m on my bike or running

All legs 🤣

I've always had very nice collies,lunged at anything that went past fast, until they were trained not to..3 didn't,2 did.

My deerhound got bitten on the nose by an out of control Jack Russell when he was young… was terrified of small dogs hoods whole life since then!

He died at 13 having never growled or killed anything.

It’s bloody terrifying

My collie hasn't barked or lunged at anyone or anything in his life.

Kind of case and point of this thread I guess… the dog and owner are individuals. Not the breed.

Alas, the same cannot be said for me 🤣

GreyHounds were historically bred as hunting dogs. If our retired racer catches a rabbit and eats it, he doesn’t get a second tea. Why on earth would that be an issue to anyone? He gets on perfectly well with other dogs, including small ones. He’s been attacked by a cat, so not so keen on them. Our DSs have been known to shoot rabbits, squirrels (dirty grey ones) and wood pigeons and cook and eat them. What’s the difference?

I don’t let my beagles off longish lead. Despite extensive and ongoing recall training, both have too strong a scent drive, anything interesting and they’re off. Both are over 9 now (rescued so no dob but they were both vet-aged when I got them) so less intensely interested but they’re still scent hounds and one is very very selectively deaf. Madam just doesn’t hear us! Honestly 😂 🐶

anyway, OP, not all dogs like or need off lead times. Secure fields are also getting more available. Either way, greyhounds are loving, sweet dogs that can be amazing pets.

Glad my beagle isn't the only one with selective deafness @OzziePopPop

His recall is great until it isn't and then there's no getting him back until he's bored of hunting whatever it is he's found!

That’s exactly what I mean lifebeginsaftercoffee

His recall is great until it isn't and then there's no getting him back until he's bored of hunting whatever it is he's found!

🤣 little boy is better but more nervous and likes to stay with us more. Madam is confident and likes seeing new stuff, sniffing new stuff etc

Im sure you agree, it’s totally manageable, just better with a lead (in beagles and greyhounds) 😃

I had a greyhound with minimal prey drive. She lived happily with cats. I walked her off lead every day in the fields. She would chase hares but always came back.

I haven't had any personally but various family have had Greyhounds, Whippets and Italian Greyhounds. I don't recall any of them ever catching anything. Or trying to, even.

Mine has been trying this since we got him at a year old! He stalks them for ages round the garsen, then they fly off! He's 6!

I've had 4 whippets or whippet/greyhound crosses and fostered many others for a dedicated whippet breed rescue.

I wouldn't consider any other breed

My current whippet has absolutely no prey-drive whatsoever and my last failed foster now lives with ex-h and a cat. The cat is definitely the boss in that household.

As others have said, they are loving, laid back dogs who are very sensitive and very easy to look after. They generally don't like rain, puddles or mud and are short-haired, so no mucky house.

All of my whippets have been reliable off the lead, which unfortunately isn't true for some other dogs where owners haven't bothered to put the same time and effort into training.

Also, if we're talking about other breed behaviours, collies herding instincts come from how wolves hunt their prey., jack russell terriers can disappear off down rabbit holes for hours, huskies have high prey-drive and the stamina to go for hours and scent hounds are very independent minded and if they get on a scent can be on it for hours.

No breed is completely perfect. Understand the traits of the breed you are interested in (not just going by looks) and perhaps then learn to treat the dog accordingly.