Greyhound

[bakewellbride]

We are about to adopt an ex racing greyhound. I've been doing research but this will be my first dog.

Anyone got any words of wisdom?!

I'm nervous but so happy and excited too.

A friend got one, she is absolutely lovely but they have had a couple of issues.
She put her leg in a hole when running and broke it
She is not keen on some dogs, although she loves mine (he is big).
When they first got her they were told she was fine with other dogs but in the first week they got her they were walking her and a small terrier came to say hello and she almost killed it, they walked her with a muzzle after that

Oh and yes, mine definitely needs his pyjamas in the Winter.

When he's done his last wee for the night, he'll sit and stare at them on the radiator until I give in and put them on him!

Oh congratulations, you are so so lucky. They are beautiful inside and out. I adore my girl, she is my first greyhound after years of other resuce breeds.
She is funny, faithful, gentle, can take her anywhere, just lies down and sleeps. I'm sure you'll be getting plenty of good advice from others, you become a bit obsessed when you own one.
One tiny bit of advice. They are extremely sensitive, if you shout at them they will not forget and become afraid, and will not listen. So gently does it. 🤗

So how's it going so far...?

They are the best. Don't do too much too quickly. Keep things really simple initially and don't socialise with other breeds too soon - he may not have seen dogs that aren't greyhounds.
Build everything up gradually. Lots of blankets. They love comfort - and food! Great decision x

Also, hide your cheese!

Wow have you got a photo.

I have no advice but I love seeing greyhounds out.

Mine is a 'failed racer' too. But don't think that means they have a lower prey drive, because they can be keen but just too slow. Mine can't be trusted with cats. Your lad may not have properly raced but will have experienced the same miserable environment so will have many of the same worries, although probably fewer knocks and old injuries. Best of luck.

Mine was completely shut down after his racing career. Just living life going through the motions. We just kept loving him and gradually he gave us the greyhound lean and started to enjoy life in his own simple way. Our other dog showed him the ropes. The doorbell would ring and other dog would race to the door, greyhound would run after her but hadn't a clue what was happening. It was more like having a cat than a dog. The easiest dog we've ever had - asked for nothing.

Oh the greyhound lean! Yes that's a wonderful thing. That's their way of giving you a hug.

The hound as probably been kennelled with another dog when racing, and put to bed quite early. So leave the hound alone when on their bed and asleep. Otherwise if you disturb them the dog may wake and growl, this comes from telling the other dog off. My experience they will grow out of this when they get used to home life. Always remember apart from the back of a van and a race track the dog will have not seem much of life. They are great animals and give you so much, just him time.

I wouldn't take any chances with food on counters and a new greyhound. We've caught our lad stood all fours on top of the kitchen counter casually eating leftover pizza. He also managed to pull a bread bin on the floor and devour a whole loaf of bread and bag of croissants - the aftermath wasn't pretty!

If you google image search 'Richard Skipworth, the cartoons will give you a pretty accurate insight into life with a pointy dog.

They love being warm and comfy and are quite cat like in that respect. Mine loves being covered in a blanket as soon as there's a slight chill in the air. They are endlessly entertaining and loveable, you won't regret adopting one 😍

Actually this is a good point that I forgot to mention! They are supposed to have raised bowls. You can get them fairly cheaply on Amazon.

Also grab a waterproof and warm coat for winter walkies. They get cold (and hot in summer) very easily.

And yes, we need a photo!

We got this bed for him but I’m starting to have second thoughts about it. It’s not the fluffy basket type thing I’d imagined but the pet shop lady insisted bigger dogs like to stretch out and that this is most similar to what he’ll be used to in the kennels.

Would you also buy something cosier? Thinking about it as then he'd have the choice of 2 beds.

Any greyhound bed pics would be hugely appreciated.

Big flat beds are my dogs preference as they like to stretch out. They do have a big bit of vet bed and some blankets on top as they like to dig them around, or you can fold a duvet up. See what your dog likes when they arrive

I would move it away a little, both from the plug and from where the kids will want to walk in front to get books off the shelves, and put it somewhere where it's just for him.

Mine has a big fluffy donut bed I got from amazon. When he's on his bed, I leave him alone, no pats or cuddles, that's his place to be alone. He spends a lot of his time on the sofa or on my bed.

Awww, awesome breed. Lots of good advice here already. Defo be patient in case they take a while to settle in, you don’t know if their early life has involved abuse. Post pics, and enjoy, you wont regret it.

Yep that's exactly the type of bed ours love! We've had bigger, fluffier ones but they choose that style over them. So we don't bother with the fluffier ones now. (Doesn't mean you shouldn't get extra to spoil your new pal though! 😄)

I think a single duvet folded over on top would be a good idea. They feel the cold, plus having a thin coat and no fat,they need some padding. If you join retired greyhound face book you will get some amazing advice. Good luck .

Disappointed at the lack of greyhound pics so far, especially those in their jammies ready for bed 🥹

Just a few of his coats!

@HoHoHoliday thank you I relocated the bed to next to the sofa away from the books and plug. Got some lovely blankets too and found out the place we are getting him from sell coats so we can buy him a coat when we pick him up.

The pyjamas idea is adorable but my dh is always strict about having the house warm and toasty so not sure if it'll be needed. Undecided.

Just see how you go. It'll take some time to settle in and get to know each other, get to know places he likes to sleep, whether he needs pyjamas, what sort of toys he likes, and so on. Just take everything as it comes and enjoy. You'll be completely besotted with each other in no time!

Oh wow! How exciting and what a fantastic choice of breed. And thank you for rescuing an ex racer! Greyhounds and lurchers are my absolute favourites (as you can see from my user name!) and great dogs for less experienced owners. They tend to be friendly, chill and very low maintenance.

However, there are some complications from the fact that you are taking on a dog who has previously lived in kennels, so do find out as much as you can from the rescue you are rehoming from. Things that spring to mind are:

• has he lived in a house before? He may not be house trained. Even if not don't panic. Many seem to house train themselves, pretty much, very quickly. If not you can find loads of info on line about house training an adult dog, but it may impact your choices about where he sleeps to begin with, etc.

-chase instinct is just massive with these dogs. Do you have any other pets? Do family members you would visit? Do cats currently come into your garden? All things to think about. Some ex racers can be fine with cats, but it's by no means a given. They also need to be watched around very small dogs. If you walk him in a place where small dogs are off the lead, even if yours isn't, please be careful. Until you know him well, maybe avoid very "doggy" areas/warn other owners that he is new and to keep their small dogs away.

-recall - many owners can't ever walk them safely off the lead because they just don't come back (some are fine of course). Luckily they don't need huge amounts of exercise compared to some other dogs, but they do need the chance to have a quick zoom every day - is there a secure dog field you can take him to?

-sleep startle - my friend accidentally woke his beautiful greyhound by leaving over him and needed stitches on the face! Not the dog's intention or fault - when they are woken suddenly there are a few seconds where they literally don't know what they are doing. Please warn your kids to be very very careful when the dog is sleeping, and any visiting kids need supervising (but that's true with any dog).

Last thing I would say is they are all different - I have talked about common greyhound/lurcher traits, but some recent research apparently suggests dog personalities may be less fixed by breed than we sometimes think they are. So find out as much as you can about him, and if you find anything unexpected happening, do reach out for support, on here or to the rescue you are using.

And enjoy! They truly are the best boys and girls ever - at one terrible point in my life when I was very very low my friend's greyhound sat for hours with me on the side with his head on my shoulder, and I believe literally played a big part in saving my life!