Adopting A Greyhound.

[Epona]

Hi. We have recently moved into the Country and are now in a position to have a dog. I have always wanted to adopt a greyhound but wondered what are the pros and cons? We have 2 cats and am afraid that if the greyhound has raced that it will be up for chasing everything and anything. Has anyone adopted a greyhound and if so can they live in harmony with cats and hens?

[RATTER15]

Generally speaking a greyhound will chase anything that runs, that's what any hounds do. I think you may struggle to get it used to the cat but I think it can be done without too much trouble. When out side just make sure you keep it on lead when around farm stock "never trust it" with farm stock. only let it off in an area you can trust to be free of anything it can chase. Apart from that they make fantastic pets, very loyal and just soak up affection, you wont be disappointed.

[FredPuli43]

Trying think of a breed that is guaranteed not to chase cats.....no...I've reached 165 in the Kennel Club list and none yet !

Ratter and I both have wolfhounds. They will chase anything big enough to be worth chasing. All sight hounds, like them and greyhounds, salukis, borzois and the rest, do exactly the same; not just instinct, but what they were bred to do.

Any cat that learns to stand its ground has no trouble; a trick learned quickly by the small dogs here. If your cats are old and dominant they won't run.

[FredPuli43]

And [last post mysteriously sent itself!] you'll find that it's possible to stop a greyhound doing it, certainly while you are present, simply by training. And,of course, the dog might get bored with it; no activity is persisted in unless it brings some reward to the dog

Greyhounds adapt well to home life. They are a very affectionate and loyal breed

[mccfluff]

hi i have a mate who has adopted greyhounds and they are lazy sods, spend more time sleeping on the sofas. she loves her dogs and they live very peaceably with her two cats, who actually rule the roost

[Epona]

Thank you for all the replies, just come back in for a quick lunch break. At our previous home our 2 cats favourite leisure pursuit was to aggravate next doors dog and they had it ( a pit bull or something similar) frightened to death, so i think they would stand their ground, but was worried a Greyhound would goin for the kill regardless. I will contact the retired greyhound trust to get some more information, i just thought I would ask here as personal experience is always valuable. Mcfluff I totally agree that greyhounds spend most of their time lying around, my grandfather had 7 and they were asleep most of the time but the family were never short of rabbit meat when rationing was on.

[FredPuli43]

They won't go for the kill. It's rare for any dog to kill a cat; only one I ever knew was a psycopathic golden retriever bitch that use to lure kittens close and then kill them. The joy is in the chase of a cat . It doesn't smell or look edible but its running triggers the chase response in the hound. My lot chase almost anything, but they only kill deer, which they then proceed to eat. They'd do the same with hares, but cats are not in danger of anything other than being slobbered over .

[islasmum]

I've looked after a couple of greyhounds when I was house- sitting (2 different families) and they were really lazy, one spent most of the day on the sofa,despite me and the jack russell trying to encourage it to come for a walk, and the other one was lovely to walk, very obedient, but absolutely hated getting wet! - I never saw any inclination in either of them to chase anything! but they are great family dogs, especially with children. there was also one in our local pub - he was just the right height to go round nicking food off the tables - but you never saw him do it.

[FredPuli43]

Dead right about laziness. It's not strictly true that they don't like exercise; all sight hounds love a good chase around (I asked an Irish breeder whether the hounds would wander and got the reply "They'll stick to you like glue. Mind, if they see a hare, you'll need a helicopter!"). They prefer exercise with a point to it. Otherwise they prefer to laze around. A retired greyhound will be used to a routine of walks, because that's what it's had in its working life, but you may be surprised how little it actually wants. It'll love a good chase around a garden or park though. (Make sure it's adjusted to coming when called; it probably will be)

[LEONARDO89]

Hi. My niece and her partner adopted a greyhound three years ago... Wrong- I should have said Jodi adopted them. She is gorgeous, lovely nature and a big softie. She enjoys her walks but loves just lolling around with her head on someone's lap. The Greyhound Awareness League(GAL) are great and provide all the information and advice you could want, with ongoing support if needed, but mostly these lovely dogs just want to be loved and settle in quickly. My neighbours daughter also got one dog to help her over a broken engagement and within six months was the proud owner of two. GAL organises regular events for greyhound owners, some for fundraising, some so that potential owners can meet dogs who have settled in a new home, and other events just to have a nice walk ... In this area it seems to be Strathclyde Country Park. Hope this helps, and good luck.

[lewissafc]

If the cats are small around rabbit/heir size then i would advise to keep them separate as the by nature will attack if it seems to ease back it may be about too

[josaphine32]

Fred, I find it a shame that you can not keep your dogs under control, i blame you the owner , it is the likes of you that give me heart ache, fostering wild animals is hard, deers in perticular, do you not realise the time it takes to hand rear a deer then rehabilitate it, deers a fickle things, along with cotton tails, your post was I would say stumach churning for me. Sorry epona, x

[Gavmacp]

Get insurance! Friend adopted a greyhound and before they did it broke its leg very, very expensive!

[Connemmara]

Epona - don't know much about animals at all only the one I have - but you if you google Annette Crosbie the actress from the One foot in the Grave - she has adopted greyhounds all her life - she may have some more information re greyhounds. She absolutely loves them and make very loyal pets. Good luck re the info.

[shoota]

Niece had a rescue greyhound and it aced two cats before it eventually died of old age.

[josaphine32]

Saying that, ex husband had a x racer greyhound, with 5 cats all went well and greyhound lived to 17. X

[pastafreak]

Contact GRWE-greyhound rescue west of England. They cover the whole country. I got my whippet/greyhound lurcher Sally from them. They will do all they can to match dog to adoptees. I'd wanted a cat friendly dog,so had to wait a bit. Any dog that seems suitable will have usually have spent time in a foster home with small furries including cats,and other dogs. You will be advised as to the correct procedure for 'introductions'.
Do not be put off by those who say all greyhounds will chase to kill...they won't.
Sally and my cat play fight,and get on wonderfully.

:-)

[pastafreak]

http://www.grwe.com