To rehome an older greyhound?

[OutbackQueen]

I’m thinking of rehoming an 8 year old greyhound bitch. She’s lived in a home before but sadly her owner died and she’s back in the rescue she originally came from.
She’s very sweet-tempered and can live with other dogs which is important because I already have a 5 year old terrier cross. My dog is great with other dogs but quite a live wire although calms down after a good walk and is a real snuggle bug.
I’m retired and at home most of the day.
Has anyone got experience of rehoming an older grey? I know I might only have a couple of years with her but would love to give her a happy home.

Sorry, no experience of greyhounds, yet, but they seem so sweet... Our Doberman was 7 when we rehomed him and it's the best thing. Now I can't bear to think of his time at the rescue and that he could still be there. He is settled and worry-free now, content playing second fiddle to our terrier, a third of his size. His health is very good, no problems at all.
Older dogs have just as much love and joy to give, I don't think you'd regret it.

Greyhounds are naturally quite healthy dogs. They are prone to bone cancer but not much else apparently. Mine just turned 10 and he has a bit of arthritis but no other issues. They are absolutely fantastic dogs!

Definitely try her with your current dog, particularly when he's in a lively mood, but mine has a collie in the family who he ignores when inside, even when the collie is playing bouncy ball games around him! Outside their play styles clash a bit as racing greyhounds don't typically understand balls and sticks, and only want to play chase.

In terms of lifespan, it's supposed to be about 12 but I have met a few older than that. (Oh that's another thing - if you see another greyhound you can never avoid a conversation about racing histories etc.!).

In short, if she gets on well with your dog, I'd go for it :)

I’ve registered my interested with the rescue. This is she ❤️

I think most greyhounds get rehomed at age six or so, when they have retired from racing, so it’s not unusual.

Ours are failed rather than retired racers so were younger.
You’ll have the benefit of her being toilet trained and used to a house.

How do you walk your existing dog? You will probably need to keep the greyhound on the lead. This can be an issue with other dogs bounding up to them.

She’s lovely. You won’t regret it

this has made my day. I don’t even have a dog so sorry for crashing on the doghouse but she’s lovely 🥰

Aaw thank you. Yes, I know I’ll need to keep her on the lead. The other one just runs around after the ball and has good recall. I would hope they can become friends 😊

@OutbackQueen Yes! Definitely do it if she gets on with your Terrier.
There is a Sighthound rescue near me and their Greys ( fresh of boat from Eire) are wonderful.

Existing doggo, Oscar ❤️

Everyone I know who has a Grey adores them. I have an 18 month old greyhound lurcher, who has been a difficult pup but is maturing into a lovely dog. I think you'll all be fine together., she's lovely.

I looked after my friend’s greyhound for a few weeks and he was the most placid and easygoing dog I’ve ever met. Barely knew I had him indoors and walked beautifully on his lead outside. I was a bit worried about him with smaller dogs on walks but he really wasn’t interested. If my circumstances were different, I’d certainly rehome one myself.

She's beautiful @OutbackQueen - let us know how you get on please!

They are lovely BUT have very different exercise needs than your terrier. They need short bursts and don’t tend to have endurance like terriers (I have one). My sister has one and even at 14 my last dog was much more active! In fact my elderly cat needs more exercise.

They tend to struggle with SA to begin with and need training to be alone although she may be ok if she is in a home.

So you need to consider that they will have different exercise requirements and if she struggles to be alone that will be tough for exercise with your terrier.

Yes, please do, she looks so lovely.

What a happy, smile face is 😍.
Please give her a loving home; she looks gorgeous!

Aw, go for it if she gets on with your current dog. Ours have been younger when we adopted them but I know quite a few people who have adopted older greyhounds and it’s worked well.

Do have a good chat with the people in the rehoming kennels - chances are that her late owner will have kept in touch and they’ll have a good idea of her personality and little quirks. She may have been trained to walk offlead (off-road), for example.

Do it!

Defo do it. You won’t regret it, awesome dogs

We adopted an older dog (who also has complex health conditions which we knew about) 5 years ago.

It's been massively rewarding! I'd do it again in a heartbeat. The older dogs are often overlooked for rescue so it's amazing you are considering this, the dog looks gorgeous!!

I can always chill on a park bench with the grey and let the nutcase chase the ball so he tires himself out!

What a beautiful old Lady.
There were many old Greyhounds
rehomed from a hellhole in Macau ( Google Macau Canidrome)
some of the very old ones came to U.K. in poor health-
some only lived a year or two but were a delight - and knew comfort and love in their last years .

They fitted incredibly well into homes despite never having a life outside of the live in racetrack kennels.

Are you in Australia 🇦🇺 @OutbackQueen ?
Quite a few Greys there.
Most in U.K. come from Eire ( green ear tattoos in both ears)

She's gorgeous.

Do it ❤️

Our greyhound is nearly 11 and is great. They're just like big cats really, sleeping 18+ hours a day. She never barks. You really wouldn't know she's here, until you open a packet of sausages. I have two small children and she's so gentle and patient. Go for it.

Greys and their analogues are more prone to osteosarcoma ( our lovely rescued Lurcher developed it at almost 12- we opted for painkillers then home euthanasia on advice of a very experienced Vet who loved Sighthounds
However with any dog it’s a lottery.

12 is a good age for a Grey, but some do live longer.

You could give her a wonderful life, OP.

Her ears are just so cyoooot 🥰