What are greyhounds like to keep as pes? Are they good with kids. I know they arent good with cats?

Answer 1

I am a greyhound adoption volunteer and foster parent and have been around many different ages and types of greys. My family currently has three of our own dogs and a four year old skin kid. We've never had a problem bringing a greyhound into our home, but we always supervise the child around the dogs.

We live in an urban area (we're in a condo) and have a fairly large network of greyt friends in the area. Some of our friends live happily with cats. Some are happy being 'only' dogs. We have a playgroup that meets at a local dog park a couple of times a month, but many/most of the greys in our area get the majority of their excersise through leash walking.

Retired racing greyhounds are very low energy, low maintenance dogs. They have been nicknamed the '45mph couch potato' because they sleep 18-20 hours per day. Greys are sprinters - they have short bursts of energy and then they need to recuperate. The are a single coated short-haired breed who shed minimally(usually only seasonally). This means that they need coats in winter if you are in an area that gets cold. This also means that they cannot live outdoors.Greys are very quiet, they rarely bark.

Racing greyhounds are usually retired between 2-5 years of age. Greys are handled every day of their lives, from farm to training facility to racetrack so they are very docile, submissive dogs. A retired racer will always look to humans for leadership. They are taught leash manners and are easy to walk. They are crate trained, which translates very well into housebreaking. Contrary to popular belief the majority of racing greyhounds are treated very well during their careers (I can send you photos of a recent birthday party held in a racing kennel for one of the pups) and the majority (95-97%) retire to either the breeding shed or as pets. There are many adoption groups across the country who are working hard to make that number 100% in the near future.

Bringing a greyhound into your home can present some challenges. A dog coming straight from a track may never have seen mirrors, hardwood floors or stairs before. They have never had people touch them while they are asleep, and they never had any humans or dogs disturb them while they eat. They also may never have met other breeds of dogs. Most dogs adapt very well to living in a home and do it in a very short period of time.

Greyhounds are sighthounds. They can see a rabbit 1/2 mile away - and they were bred to be fast enough to catch that rabbit. For this reason they cannot be off leash unless they are in a fenced enclosure. When something (squirrel, rabbit, cat, plastic bag blowing in the wind) catches their eye they often react instinctually, even with the best of obedience training. Because they move so fast (45mph) very often a loose greyhound is a dead greyhound. They also do not do well on runs or retractable leashes - greys have broken their neck by trying to take off and being stopped. Their rate of acceleration is really awesome.

As to health problems, it is not true that they have hip problems. In fact greyhounds are the only large breed that does not suffer from hip dysplasia. This is because they have been bred exclusively for competition, not for looks. Musculo-skeletar imperfectsion DO NOT get bred on period. They also have a longer lifespan than many other large breeds, averaging 12-14 years. Some dogs retire with injuries and these dogs may be prone to arthritis as they age, but your adoption group would be able to tell you about specific problems that may come with the dog you acquire. It is true that greyhounds (and all sighthounds) are susceptible to complications from anasthesia. This is because there low body fat ratio means that when the anasthesia has been applied it effects them much sooner and they don't need as much as your average breed.


For more information about the breed, or to find an adoption group in your area check out http://www.greyhoundpets.org . If you want more specific information please feel free to e-mail me.

Answer 2

Hmm... it does depend on the hound, of course... we kept greyhounds for years, and found that they were largely docile, big softies really. At the same time, we lost three cats to those hounds, which is pretty heartbreaking when it happens- which it can, because they're trained to chase small furry creatures. Eventually, we solved the problem with a muzzle, it just took a week, and the hound got used to having cats around, and there was never any more trouble.

We just had one real problem greyhound, it was vicious! I think it'd had a bad history, probably been abused. It bit my sister and savaged one of the other hounds, and it had to be put down in the end. I don't think that's a greyhound trait, but it doesn't hurt to be cautious with a new dog. We always thought how bad it could have been if it'd gone for a child... it was the exception of all the greyhounds we ever got though, the others were fine. I think you should be able to tell pretty soon what the dog will be like if you look at it first hand before you get it, the main problem with this one I'm talking about is that it came to us through a mutual friend, and the first thing we knew of it was when it was on our land and mixing with the other creatures. On the whole, I'd say go for it, rescue a greyhound, they are good pets.

Answer 3

Actually there are greyhounds out there who are good with cats - I have 2 of them. Almost all of them are great with kids. Some of the larger, more rambunctious males wouldn't be good with really small kids but that's only because the kids could get knocked down when they're playing.

They make wonderful pets, seldom bark, very loving, they're happy with their walk every day, love to play with stuffed toys (and don't wreck them either).

The main thing you have to be aware of is that you can't let them off a leash in an unfenced area. They have thousands of years of being hunting dogs behind them and their instinct is to run. They won't hear you when you call them if they're at an all out run and since they can reach speeds over 40 mph in about 3 strides, you can't take a chance like that.

For the most part they are a very healthy breed. There have been some cases of bone cancer and there's a high percentage of them who have bad teeth, partly from genetics and partly from the food they get fed at the track.

Overall, a wonderful choice as a companion and very quiet house dogs. If you adopt from a rescue group, they test the dogs for compatability with cats, other dogs and kids before they adopt them out.

Answer 4

Some are good with cats and some arent, on the whole though, they are very gentle and loving... if you are getting a rescue greyhound though - I wouldnt recommend getting one with v. young kids, or any rescue dog for that matter, they require a lot of TLC, and kids running around being noisy etc, isnt the best home for an anxious, trumatised dog. Also you will need to put in a lot of time, but it will be worth it in the end as rescue dogs make the most wonderful loyal pets.

Answer 5

thats not true about cats. Some greyhounds dont even bat an eyelid at them...you just have to let the rescue place sort out one that doesn't chase much. As to them making great pets..yes ust make sure you have 6ft strong fencing as some of them like to jump. The are brilliant with kids and only require two 20 min walks a day on lead. They may need house training to begin with having been in kennels their whole lives, but they settle into family life really well and see it more as a vacation and just feel like they are 'home'. Get in touch with a rescue and visit some of the dogs. They all have such great personalities.

Answer 6

Depends on the kid. Greyhounds are wonderful, intelligent, graceful and beautiful animals. They are also a bit high-strung. If you have little kids, consider a different breed because all that kid-activity would stress the poor dog out. If your kids are older (over 12-ish), and well behaved and smart enough to understand that this pet is not one that is going to be okay with a lot of noise and sudden movement, a greyhound can be a fabulous pet.

Answer 7

I rode a Greyhound once when I took a trip out west. The driver was nice and told all the passengers about each town. But I would never want a bus for a pet. They use too much gas. I think they are good for kids. If the kid gets rowdy, you can stick him underneath the cargo area. I think they are OK for cats. I took my cats with me on my trip and they had no problem getting through the door.

Oh, do you mean buses or dogs? I get confused sometimes...hehe

Answer 8

Greyhounds like all dogs have the potential to be wonderful pets. It is best to read all about the breed and then decide from the knowledge that you gain if a greyhound is the right breed for you. Proper socialization and training will be crucial just as it is for any and all breeds of dogs. A greyhound, as well as ANY breed of dog, will become what you encourage and allow it to become...and hopefully this will be a well-loved and nurtured family pet!

Answer 9

Two words: couch potatoes. Most are used to sitting in cages all day, so they're inclined to rest for long periods. Unless they get the chance to run, which they'll do with great gusto; a fenced in yard is a plus. Some are quite easily upset, others you could set off a bomb and they'd hardly blink. Ask about temperament testing before you adopt. Some like kids, most are at least a little leery unless the kids are well behaved; few have been around children before.

Answer 10

I know a woman who works with rescue of the raceing dogs and she has cats and most are fine with them.
She does foster work and has not had any huge problems at all.
They are great with kids and just happy to have awarm bed and a nice place to sleep. They are low energy dogs who like a good run once a day.
Other than that they are called the 45 mile per hour couch potato.