Advice wanted on adopting a retired racing greyhound as a pet

[Iamateadrinker]

I'm seriously considering adopting a greyhound from a retired racers rescue centre. Please can anyone with experience ( good or bad) offer any advice or tips. What makes them good companions? What difficulties have you encountered? I am compiling a list of items I will need ( and may have spent far too long looking at car hammocks this evening).
Thank you in anticipation

You’re always safer to plan on the basis that they’d need to be muzzled and on lead out anywhere that’s not secure and if they end up not having to be it’s a bonus.

I’ve never known one that wouldn’t be up for an hour’s stroll - weather dependant, yeah they’re sprinters but they’re still dogs, they like a mooch.

They do hate weather, as other people have said, jackets aren’t fashion accessories, they need them if you’re going to go out in cold or wet.

They’re not cuddly as in they’ll try and climb on your lap 😂 but they are affectionate, like to be near you or leaning on you.

Re walking 2…it’s not usually an issue, ex-racers have been taught to walk nicely on lead. It’s more space - do you have enough sofas for 2? Can you fit 2 in your car? Etc.

a couple of things to be aware of

They’re usually counter surfers and food thieves, a combination of being able to reach and the only time they’ve been near food it’s for them, so why would all food not be theirs? So you want to be able to keep them away from the kitchen and bins when you’re not in sight.

They usually have/get bad teeth, you can try cleaving them to stave it off a bit but it’s just a breed thing and dental treatment isn’t usually covered by insurance. I think you can get insurance that does, but you’d need to check really, it’s also not like a huge regular expense, but it’s likely to come up at some point.

I’m cuddled up to my 10yo rescue grey, he’s the absolute best. Great with DD(6), so chill, rarely barks (once a week maybe if his dinner is 3 mins late or more), and is so friendly with dogs and people. He’s not arsed about small animals like rabbits, birds etc but he would chase a cat given the chance. He’s never off lead, most never are because of lack of recall, and I muzzled him for the first month to gauge his prey drive.
They’re so lazy, he sleeps most of the day, 2 short walks and some enrichment is all he needs. Best pet I’ve ever had. Obv a pic! He’s a big lad at 38kg but doesn’t know this and will happily behave as a lap dog.

This isn’t true for all - I had cats with my rescued greyhound and he was off lead all the time - never ran away

you need to assess but I do agree if there is any doubt keep on a lead

had mine 11 years - he was gorgeous black beauty

Oh thanks for all the responses
I appreciate every last bit of information
@mybathistoohot what a beauty he is 😊

It’s worth remembering that everyone’s comments here are picking out every detail of having a greyhound, which is great of course because it helps you prepare yourself. But once you have the dog and you’ve settled into each other you won’t give a lot of these things a second thought, you will fall into a life together and everything will just be normal. And for every ounce of worry you have, you’ll have a thousand tons of love in exchange.

I remember bringing my first boy home. I looked at him sitting on the sofa thinking what the hell have I done, how can I be responsible for this collection of elbows, what do I do with him all day, how do I know what he needs. Literally just days later I couldn’t imagine my life without him. I was so happy waking up in the morning and spending each day with him.

They are fantastic pets and most have a very calm nature. We are on our second and both are/were definitely retired not rescued. That was clear from contact we had with/information we got from their respective trainers.

They all wear muzzles when being walked from rehoming centres - I think for insurance purposes, and it's recommended that they have a muzzle for a bit on walks once adopted in case they are reactive to other dogs. Ours, and most that I see, don't/didn't wear muzzles.

Our first boy played and our current one plays with toys. Our current one actually will chase and bring a ball back. Our first boy used to pinch other dogs' balls and run off with them. They generally learn to play with toys as puppies, in their year with their mother and siblings.

We taught both recall. Off lead has to be done sensibly (don't let your greyhound off in a known hare field or in sight of a cat.....), but it can be do-able. Yes, greyhounds often have prey drive, but so do most breeds of dogs - the greyhound's just faster and more likely to catch its prey.

They're used to living sociably with other greyhounds and having people around, so understandably they're going to have separation anxiety if they're left alone early on after rehoming. We were lucky enough to be able to have at least one person around at home for a good few months with each so that they got to feel secure before they were left. Both of ours were ok to be left after that if necessary. We've never used a crate but kept the kitchen door shut with the first boy - he was a total countersurfer.

They do all have different personalities but all are still distinctively "greyhounds".

Would you consider a lurcher? I.e a sighthound cross. Of course I am biased because I have one but she is a dream, good with all animals, children, walks with or without a leash. She is from a rescue so they could tell you the dogs temperament. And she's not as large as a Greyhound so easily transported. One walk a day and she's happy. If its raining she might choose not to go.
Of course she occasionally goes deaf! But she's very sensible and I feel i won the dog lottery with her.

Yes. That's why the people who own them when they're racing pay a couple of hundred pounds for them to go to the greyhound Trust, and then wait for months for a space for them.
Provision for the greyhounds retirement has to be made when it is first registered for racing.
If/ when greyhound racing is banned, the breed will become extinct. Goody, goody gum drops.
To OP, I have had lots of retired greyhounds. I suggest that you find your local retired greyhound kennels or even racing kennels. Ask if you can volunteer with a view to adoption. They will be very welcoming. Some organisations that call themselves greyhound rescues actually aren't. The dogs that have been abused are lurchers.
You can walk the resident dogs and get to know the breed. The kennels will advise you about breed traits and how to handle them.
I can absolutely guarantee that after a few weeks of visiting and walking the dogs, there will be one that you will fall in love with. Many kennels will give you the chance to try short term Foster before you make the final decision. My preference would be for a bitch to start with.
The dogs trust usually have some greyhounds for rehoming too

Thanks everyone for all your comments and advice
I have actually signed up to be a volunteer walker at a local greyhound rescue centre starting next week so hopefully I will soon be able to share my home with a new friend!

Posts like yours @HarshbutTrue2 really make me sigh in despair.

The breed has existed for thousands of years and will continue to exist long after the cruel racing industry is banned. It already has been banned in many countries, most recently of course in Wales and Scotland. Only a matter of time before England sees sense and follows on.

I find people who support greyhound racing are really closed to admitting the cruelty of the sport. I could tell you about how my first dog had a limp because he broke his leg in a race and it never healed properly. I could tell you how when I adopted my second she had burns on her paws from the lengthy time she was kept standing in her own urine in a concrete kennel. But I suspect you’ll dismiss the idea of both.

So I’ll leave you, and anyone else reading who supports racing with this: This weekend we have a heatwave, it’s around 30 degrees across much of the country. And while responsible dog owners everywhere are keeping their dogs rested and cool, there are at least four greyhound racing events taking place. Yes, greyhounds, forced to race in a heatwave. That’s abuse, and no amount of ridiculous platitudes about ‘retiring’ dogs to a kennel when a racer has had enough of them will convince me they are cared for.

I won’t comment on this again because this is the OP’s thread about how to prepare for adopting a dog, and I don’t want to derail the good advice they have received.

My friend is on her second rescue greyhound, both dogs had some health problems and the first one died young (7yo) of a bone cancer.

She describes them as the nice but dim dogs! They’re very soppy and love attention.

Sound from @HarshbutTrue2 . Though our 2 have been both dogs. I think they're softer and less independent than bitches. Each to their own, though!

Our former neighbours had the most beautiful retired racer girl, like black velvet. What a lovely friendly dog. She had an incredibly high prey drive though, and they didn’t even let her out for a wee in the garden alone because of cats - one of them would bring her out on a lead.

That’s brilliant news! I’ve not had a greyhound, but I’ve friends that have, and they say they’re the most gentle laziest dogs about 🙂
I hope you find your perfect buddy soon ☺️

From a veterinary point of view - they are notorious for having to need dental work such as scale, polish and extractions , some need this work quite often.
Insurance companies very rarely pay out for dentals so i would suggest a decent savings pot for if this is ever needed.

Agree with the above. Its a few years since I've had a greyhound, but £600 used to be nothing for a dental. Vet bills have gone up since then.
A reputable kennels should have neutered, vaccinated and given a full dental before rehoming. Even so, they often develop dental issues at a later date. If you volunteer at kennels, you should learn all about greyhounds teeth. ( poodles also often have grotty teeth)
As for racing dogs in this hot weather. All dogs have to travel to the track in air conditioned vans. The vans are regularly inspected by the racing authorities. They are examined by a vet at the track, placed into air conditioned kennels, before and after the race, they are once again examined by the vet. After the race, they rest in their air conditioned kennels before travelling home in their air conditioned van.
A lot of pet dogs don't lead such a pampered life.

my friends greyhound has just had 16 teeth removed. Why do they have such terrible teeth?

What a lovely and interesting thread, I think people have been most helpful and supportive with their comments.

Could you come back one day with an update and photo. Please.

All breeds have their health issues and greyhounds with their deep chests are susceptible to bloat. It processes very quickly and can be fatal, so it's worth looking it up and knowing the symptoms, and how to avoid it in the first place.

Quick update
I now regularly volunteer at a greyhound rescue kennels and am taking my time learning everything I can about the breed before the right one comes along.
Thanks everyone for your advice and encouragement

Thank you for the update, OP. I hope the right one comes along for you soon

I don't know if someone else has mentioned it but greyhounds can be prone to sleep aggression.
It's absolutely fine and very easy to manage.
Give them a safe and quiet bed somewhere away from hustle and bustle.
If they do fall asleep somewhere ridiculous, just be careful when moving around them.

I've had a few over the years. They've all been lazy as fuck, thick as mince and wonderful pets.

Good luck, OP.

They have a high prey drive and would not live peacefully with a cat.

Well done OP for taking things slowly and getting to know the breed. Obviously you're in pole position when the right dog comes along. Please update with any news.

I personally would not have a greyhound with a cat.
However, some homing centres have unraced greyhounds for homing. These dogs have low prey drive and showed no interest in racing. They are often suitable to live with cats.
OP I hope you are enjoying finding out all about the breed and how to look after them. I suspect your next step will be offering 'emergency foster care' ' just to help out'.

It's banned in Wales. Should be implemented next Spring.