My wife and I try to abopt animals when we can. We noticed that in many areas where there are dog tracks there are listings for Greyhound adoptions. We have a large house but a small yard. Are racing dogs trainable and if they are, what do they need to be happy?
2007-02-15 10:49:17 · 22 answers · asked by I socket 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Greyhounds can be great pets---but they are not for everyone. If you want a couch potato dog, a grey is greyt :)
On the plus side, they do not need tons of exercise. Greys are sprinters--not distance runners. You won't need to take up jogging and in fact walking a just-off-the-track grey for a long distance on pavement could actually be uncomfortable as his feet will not be used to pavement.
Greys tend to be quiet, clean and easy to handle. Unlike many rescue dogs, a grey is accustomed to be handled/touched by many people. Giving your grey a bath, etc is usually not an issue.
When I volunteered with a greyhound rescue group one of my jobs was to wash the dogs when they came right from the kennel. They weren't anxious or nervous being touched and handled and hosed down at all. They were very calm through the whole thing.
I don't know if I would consider them "trainable" the way I would a border collie, but there are some things (like holding still for a bath, getting into a kennel, going in and out a door) that they are so used to, they are already trained.
Greys do not need a lot of space. Get them a comfy cushion and they will be happy to lounge around most of the day. Take them for a couple of walks and let them run off-leash in a secure area and you have a happy dog.
They do shed---but they have short coats so a shedding grey is not as bad as a shedding lab.
They can be very sweet, gentle and mild.
MOST are not good with cats or other small animals which would look like prey to them.---even a small white dog could look like something to chase. Talk to the rescue group about this if you have cats.
Greys MUST be on a leash with a very specific kind of collar at all times unless in a solidly enclosed yard. A grey can see something at 1/4 mile away that you cannot make out. If he gives chase he can reach speeds of well over 30 miles an hour before you can call him name. An electric/invisible fence will not contain them.
A loose grey can quickly turn into a dead grey or a lost grey. A running greyhound can quickly get so far from home it is hard to find his way back.
Greys are not suited to spending a lot of time outside in the extreme cold or heat and need to be protected from both.
A grey cannot be on a trolley-style run which is a leash fashioned to a line between two posts of trees. The grey could hit maximum speed and then the end of the leash and be seriously hurt or killed.
A really good book on adopting an ex-racer is: Adopting the Racing Greyhound by Cynthia Branigan. This book was the first "bible" of greyhound rescue groups.
Retired Racing Greyhounds for Dummies by Lee Livingood is another good rescource.
Good luck.
2007-02-15 11:15:19 · answer #1 · answered by bookmom 6 · 4⤊ 1⤋
My Granda Never Has 0 Greyhounds Has To Have At Least 2 Greyhounds A Time. And My Bro Helps Him Look After Them. They Are Really Good Pets. My Granda And Bro Race The Greyhounds. Mussles Are For Saftey. They May Be Put In Shelters Because There Owners Have Beatin Them Up Because They Have Been Bad At Racing. There Mostly Used For Racing So Thats More Likely Too Be The Answer.
2016-03-29 08:08:45 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First, you do not need to be extremely active to have a greyhound! They're very happy with a good walk every day and are the quiestest house dogs I've ever had.
Also, with all the greys I've fostered, plus my own 3, I've only met 1 timid greyhound. These dogs have fantastic temperaments - all of them love people, including kids. Given that these dogs are hunters, a lot of them aren't good with cats or small dogs. But my 2 males get along with anything and everything. The rescue group you deal with temperament tests these dogs to match the right dog to the right home.
They're extremely smart dogs, easy to train and quick to learn, but like all sight hounds, easily bored once they've learned something. If you're the type of person who likes Cesar Milan, this is not the breed for you because his tactics would turn a greyhound into a cringing heap on the floor. Voice corrections are all that's needed for a greyhound.
They're a healthy breed, except that a fairly high percentage of them have got bad teeth, so be prepared for regular cleanings. The only downfall to the breed, in my mind anyway, is that you can't let them off leash in an unfenced area.
Greyhounds are a great choice for anyone who wants a companion.
2007-02-15 12:12:05 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
They make wonderful pets. I live near a greyhound adoption place and therefore we have many in the area. Everyone I ask say they are very happy with them. They really seem to appreciate what you are doing for them.They have had a rough life and seem ready to settle in as a pet. I have been told they are highly trainable and very loving. I also see many that are aged and grey so they must have a long lifespan I would think. Although I think a lot of that would depend on how much they went through on the track. They seem to not loose the want to chase things like rabbits though from what I hear. I have thought abaout getting one myself but am going to stay at 5 dogs for now.
2007-02-15 11:09:18 · answer #4 · answered by Born2Bloom 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Greyhounds are really just big couch potatos. They are very mellow and sweet dogs. I work at a vet clinic, and I have only met nice well mannered greyhounds. You can do more research on them, and talk to the greyhound rescues. A lady that comes into our clinic fosters rescued greyhounds before they go to their forever home. The only problem I hear about is that these dogs have lived most of their lives penned up in a cage. They have never seen the inside of a house. They sometimes get confused about things like stairs, couches, carpet, tiles. Simple things that we don't think twice about sometimes catch them off gaurd. So most greyhounds are fostered in a home so they can learn the ropes before they go home with their new owners. I think it is an excellent idea to rescue a greyhound. If these dogs didn't have rescues, and people adopting them, they would get put down after their racing career was over.
This website might help you learn a little more about the breed in general.
http://dogbreedinfo.com/greyhound.htm
2007-02-15 11:06:10 · answer #5 · answered by Stark 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Yes, greyhounds do make excellent pets. They are sight hounds, however, and should never be out of either a confined area or on a leash as they will take off at the slightest provocation (a blowing leaf, a squirrel, another dog) and will run and run and run. Many greyhounds have lost their lives because their owners didn't know or believe this. They do not need lots of room despite their larger size. A daily walk or two and a comfortable place to lay, a family who interacts with them, a good diet and fun toys will keep them very happy.
2007-02-15 10:59:41 · answer #6 · answered by pugmo 4 · 4⤊ 1⤋
They are wonderful pets. My friend has one and he is the sweetest. He looks scary but he is SOOO sweet. Because of their questionable past, some are timid. My friends, Davis, is very scared of things. He is scared of tile because he didn't grow up on it before. He is usually calm, but every few days he goes on his sprints. He was difficult to train because of his fear. I don't think that this is the case with all greyhounds. When my friend's family got him, they went into the agency and asked which one needed a home the most. The agency they went to also did an inspection of thier yard to be sure that it was safe for a greyhound. You need to be careful with greyhounds because they counter. I mean that they can eat food of counters because of their height. I think that you should get a greyhound. They are so loving. You need to be an active person to have a greyhound because they need a lot of activity. Good Luck!!
2007-02-15 11:11:00 · answer #7 · answered by Dani 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No one ever sees the ugly side of dog racing
once they are no longer winners they are killed left to die in cages with other Greyhounds, buried alive, left to starve........that is why we have rescue havens for Greyhounds
They do make great pets for cretin people.
Most places that have Greyhounds for adoption will check to see if you are the right match for the pet. They only want the best for the animal, as you do.
I have a friend that has adopted many Greyhounds and has been so happy with their pets (kids)
good luck hope you find the right dog they are really your best friend.....always glad to see you and never bi*ch at you for something you forgot and always have a kiss for you
**NOTE..... for the thumbs down do some research on abused Greyhounds see the facts and read on adopting
2007-02-15 11:18:51 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
Every dog has the potential to be a great pet or a disaster.
Talk to the folks at Greyhound rescue. They'll be happy to teach you all about the breed, and they'll ask you questions that will help them determine whether or not a Greyhound would be a good match for someone like yourself.
2007-02-15 11:00:37 · answer #9 · answered by Ginbail © 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
They are wonderful pets. Graceful and elegant and very sweet, they really don't need to run all that much and can get exercise in your yard. In fact if you had to much yard you might have to worry that one could leap a 6 foot fence. To be happy they love to bask in the sun and keep warm, and watch that they don't go running off after a cat or a squirrel, other than needing to watch they don't run after something and get hit, they make great companions.
2007-02-15 11:26:32 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋