Greyhounds and cats?

Question

I have cats and am considering getting a Greyhound, One drawback...
If i bring the greyhound up from a pup, Will he-she get along with my cats and learn NOT to chase them?.... If he-she 'does' chase them, would this be in a playful way, or would his intentions be to maim or even kill!!????

Answer 1

Are you thinking of getting a greyhound puppy? If so, be prepared for a really long wait - there's very, very few breeders (except for the track dogs) and the wait is long. If you are planning on a puppy, the best indicator would be the puppy's parents. If they're mellow, laid back and cat safe, you can safely choose the quiet puppy out of the litter. If brought up with your cat, they'll be fine.

If you're looking at a rescue - and so many thousands of greys desperately need homes - the rescue groups do an excllent job evaluating the dogs' temperaments before they're adopted. They check whether or not the dogs are dog friendly, small dog friendly, good with kids, cat safe, everything.

A puppy is going to chase anything that runs. If your cat isn't used to dogs and runs, any puppy will chase it. It's then up to you to train it.

Answer 2

Well, I have to answer this question since I have had a rather nasty experience with a greyhound and a cat.
I am not saying that all greyhounds will not be good with cats.
I am sure if the greyhound is brought up with cats as a puppy it will be fine. I know people do this successfully as I have read about it. Some rescue greyhounds can also get along okay with them, however I'd wouldn't risk it since although they may appear peaceful and harmless, they can suddenly turn into monsters. Ex- racers have previously been taught to chase the mechanical rabbit, so the instinct to chase and kill is well developed in them.
I have a lurcher myself (half greyhound) and despite the rescue centre saying she was good with cats, she isn't, and now mine are terrified to come downstairs. Which is as miserable for me as it is for them and I regret not getting a more suitable dog.
I have also witnessed a greyhound attacking a cat, while I was looking after some dogs while the owner was away. The cat was sleeping on a cushion. The dog must have silently snuck up on it while I was in the other room and grabbed it. I couldn't prise the cat away, and the dog was shaking it. I couldn't keep the greyhound back- it was very powerful, and determined because it was so wound up. The cat bit my arm out of fear, as I was trying to get it away, and the bite was so bad I had to go to A & E. I have never looked at greyhounds in the same light again.
Prior to this the greyhound was typically behaved- quiet, mellow, angelic. But they are strong hunters and quick as snakes when they strike.
I was also told a tale while out walking my lurcher the other day, by a man who owned a yorkie. His dog had been approached by a gentle lurcher- and then it grabbed the yorkie, and started shaking it and flinging it in the air like a toy.
Anyway. If I were you, I would definately only consider a greyhound puppy. NOT an ex racer. I would also consider a similar, but less smaller breed such as a whippet or italian greyhound. These can also chase in the way, but they are obviously much smaller. The italians are my faves- gorgeous little things- and cat size!

Answer 3

You are unlikely to find a greyhound puppy. However, greyhound rescue groups test the dogs with cats and can tell you if they are 'cat safe'.
However, you need to remember that Greyhounds, like any sighthound, has some degree of prey drive. This means they love to chase and during the chase they may kill the prey. This does not mean they are bad dogs.....just dogs doing what they were bred to do. Like a retriever will fetch things, a sighthound chases and catches things.
I owned a cat with 3 Whippets and the cat lived to a ripe old age. I never left the cat and dogs alone together. When I was home, the dogs knew to leave the cat alone. And, the cat knew to not run.
These same dogs would chase down an outdoor cat though.
So, it's more teaching your cat to not run than trying to teach a sighthound to not chase.

Answer 4

Greyhounds are gentle and unaggressive by nature.
The only problem with greyhounds and cats is, that some trainers still train greyhounds to race using a "live lure." At the race, the greyhounds follow a mechanical lure. Dogs that have been trained to chase a live animal can be dangerous to cats, because they are very fast. Greyhounds that are trained with a mechanical lure are not aggressive to cats. So a greyhound brought up with cats would certainly be fine.
I had a retired racing greyhound for years, and got to meet with many others. Racing greyhounds are, with rare exceptions, very friendly with dogs and humans; and most of them get along well with other animals as well, despite having almost no experience with them before being retired.

Answer 5

Any dog can get along with cats.

You will need to remain calm and allow the cats to assert dominance over the dog.

Demand that the dog be submissive to the cats, the dog may curiously sniff the cat put not chase or smack the cats. The cats can smack the dog provided they don't claw the dog. The cats will eventually rub on the dog it they have maintained a trusting relationship.

This could require a lot of patience and time over and above all the time and patience a puppy normally requires.

It took one of my dogs, five year olds at the time, six months to stop chasing the cat and for the cat to trust the dog.

Answer 6

Many times they well learn to play to gather or form a pack group yes cats and dogs do form packs togather plus greyhound is a very gentle dog more so it would b if the cats chase the dog in this case do some reserch on grayhounds be for you buy one.

Answer 7

it really depends on the dog but it is easier to bring a puppy into your cats home(yes the cats own the home lol) bring it in as a puppy and be sure to punish it quickly for jummping on or fighting the cats. the cats are most likely to be more mean to your dog then your dog will ever be mean to them. i say its a good idea. it wouldnt be a good idea to get a greyhound that has been rescued from the track since they are trained to chase the little bunny on the rail this will also make them want to chase the kitty on the floor. although it is always great to rescue one in your case it is better to just not. good luck on your search. they are beautiful dogs and are great. they are also very smart so dont let them out smart you

Answer 8

I used to have a greyhound adopted from a track, those dogs could chase smaller animals- although most of them are extremely passive. I think you will be ok if he is only a pup.

Answer 9

I agree you could not practice the chase instinct out of those staggering hounds. regardless of the shown fact that it would desire to be stated that everywhere such animals are stated it rather is often stated they're indoor canines. super sure, yet indoor nonetheless. And a greyhound presented to a place with cats would desire to undergo gradual conditioning as do the cats. yet they gets used to a minimum of one yet another as long because of the fact the cats do not harass the hound too badly. As form of gradual and planned as they're, they are able to be quickly in all approaches. Any cat who has made an enemy of this way of canines hazards transforming into at minimum a considerable harm. regardless of the shown fact that that is been my experience that cats locate as we try this those canines are so mellow, so calm, that they are able to take maximum something. My ex's mom had 2 ghounds. as though to make up for each and all of the working they did while youthful they spent countless the day asleep in the sunlight. It took approximately 4 months for the two cats to realize this replaced into not an enemy. i in my opinion have been given to work out a cat canines practice as quickly as. the place one canines replaced into licking a cat, the cat replaced into licking the different canines which replaced into . . . properly you get the assumption. by utilising in super maximum vendors in no way enable the canines out and not using a lead ever.

Answer 10

Why don't you get a rescue greyhound? They know if the dog is cat safe. Mine is. You would be doing a wonderful thing. They make terrific pets and are already housebroken. They are kind of a couch potato and don't really recognize other dogs as being like them - they just kind of ignore them. Mine lays on her pillow unless I let her out. My yard is fenced and it is a joy to watch her run. She likes to go for walks too. Try it - you won't be sorry!