Some questions about Greyhounds...?

Question

Hello,

I'm going to be getting a dog later this year, so am starting to think a bit about what breed to buy.

I love Greyhounds, but know very little about them, so I just want some general info.

I won't just go out and buy one tomorrow though, don't worry, I'll be doing a lot of thorough research over the next few months.

So:

1) I have a cat. Will this cause problems?

2) Are they easy to train (both house training and simple commands)

3) Is it true they only need 30 minutes of exercise a day?

4) Do they require a lot of other maintenance? (grooming etc).

Also, if you own greyhound/s, anything else that might be useful or interesting it greatly appreciated.

Again, I know a dog is a big responsibility, so I will be doing lots of reading! :D

Thanks everyone,

Kathryn

Answer 1

I can't imagine what breed baby is talking about but it doesn't sound like any of the greyhounds I have known. I have many friend with rescue greyhounds, several of whom also breeds show cats. They are careful not to put them in situations where the dogs can chase the cats but say greyhounds tend to be big lovable couch potatoes.

1 cat - greyhounds are sight hounds and are bred to chase small moving creatures. Don't ever put them in a situation where they can have an opportunity to chase the cat. Tell the rescue group you have a cat and they will match to dog.

2. Easy to train -  a little below average, but very sweet and agreeable

3 True they need limited exercise. They are glad to put their running days behind them. They should NEVER be allowed off leash except in a securely fenced area. Like any sight hound, if they see a small running animal whey will chase it and chase it and chase it....

4. They require some grooming but not a lot. They have short tight coats and in very cold climates may need a jacket to keep warm

All in all they make wonderful, loving pets. A good choice if they fit with your lifestyle.

Answer 2

1. Work with a greyhound rescue that tests the greys for compatibility with cats.

2. House training isn't difficult---make sure you use a crate. What commands do you want to teach? The only one they seem to have problems with is "sit" believe it or not. Some greys have spent their whole lives lying down or standing---not sitting.

3. They are not exercise intensive. A couple of short walks a day is fine.

4. Grooming is very easy and so is bathing them. Unlike some dogs, they are used to being handled and will stand totally still so a  complete stranger can bathe them. Giving a bath to a dog just off the track means scrubbing them EVERYWHERE and they are so docile they just stand there..

IMP: You can never, ever, EVER let a grey off a leash unless they are in a securely fenced area. They are SIGHT hounds and can see something that you don't even notice and in a few strides be moving away at a terrific speed. They can be hit by a car before you even get a chance to say stop and greyhounds have gotten lost because they've chased something away from home.

FYI: A house with a ton  of stairs can be tricky for them.

This is a great resource for greys: http://forum.greytalk.com/

Adopting the Racing Greyhound by Cynthia Branigan is considered THE book about the subject.

Answer 3

Hi Kathryn

Lots of reading does help, and there are plenty of great resources regarding greyhounds. Firstly, Greyhounds were specifically bred to be easy to handle and to work as a team with other greyhounds. This means that the vast majority of greyhounds are not agressive to people, and they generally get along well with other dogs.

SOme greyhounds can be fantastic with cats. The fact that you have a cat just means you need to be more selective regarding your adoption group. Make sure you go to one that thoroughly tests each of their dogs...and be honest about the dog you require. If you want a calm, quiet dog then say so. If you want one with more energy to burn, say that too. Chances are there will be one to suit you. Make sure you are cafeful when you introduce them and dont be afraid to leave the muzzle on the greyhound until you are sure things will be ok. I have a greyhound who lives very happily with 3 cats, an assortment of caged birds, caged rabbits and guinea-pigs and one chicken. He has no desire to chase any of them. As far as the rabbits/gp's and chicken go, I am still cautious and don't leave him unsupervised just in case.

Greyhounds are fairly easy to train, though can be quite stubborn. They require a firm but gentle hand. Greyhounds HATE to do the wrong thing, so it doesn't take much to corect them. I have never had a problem with toilet training (with the adult dogs), I just make sure they go outside at regular intervals and I don't allow them to wander the house.

30 minutes exercise a day is generally ample for these dogs. Some may have more energy to burn, yet others will require even less. I had one foster girl here that would flake out after a 20 minute walk. They do love a free run every now and again...make sure it is in an enclosed area and be aware of any laws that may prevent you from taking your grey out without a muzzle or off leash. The law requires I don't let my grey off leash in public...that includes dog parks. We use the facilities at the greyhound tracks or private property to run ours.

Maintenance is low for their size. A premium quality dog food is recommended and helps them keep better condition. Bathing requirements are low as they really don't smell as much as other dog breeds. I bath mine once a month in the warmer months and once every 2 months in winter. Between baths I use doggy wipes if i need to. Shedding is average and constant all year round, but a daily once over with a curry comb will help. The usual doggy stuff like worming, heatworm, vaccinations, flea treatments need to be considered, as well as keeping some cash aside for emergencies. Also a good warm coat is a must for the colder months. If you live in areas of extreme temps it is best to keep your grey inside.

Good luck with your research.

Answer 4

The only answer I know for sure is that they will need much more than 30 minutes of exercise each day.  They were bred to run.  They have a lot of energy.

Answer 5

You might consider getting a greyhound from a rescue organization. After greyhounds race, they are put down, unless they are rescued. http://www.adopt-a-greyhound.org/

1. You can facilitate your new dog and cat getting along using these techniques: http://www.cuhumane.org/topics/catdog.ht...

2. They are smart dogs and are as easy to train as most any other dog

3. They would do nicely with a yard to be able to run around as much as they want

4. They generally have short hair, which is easy to maintain.

Good Luck! Remember, there are lots of great greyhounds out there that need good homes.

Answer 6

What a lot of people don't know about greyhounds is that they are EXTREMELY agressive, even more so than the dreaded pit bull! You see, they are bred hunters, which means they are bred to kill. They do it very well. You know that  little fake bunny they use at the track to get the dog to run? That's because it triggers that hunting instinct. A kitty cat? nononono And it won't be the dog's fault. He'll see something small that makes little, quick, prey-like movements and won't be able to stop himself. Stop and think long and hard about this. You won't be able to take him to dog parks, and you'll have to get the help of a professional trainer to know how to handle him properly. You can't let up on the training for a second, because you're going to have to drown out that hunt/kill instinct with superior training.

Answer 7

Hi Kathryn,

I'm so pleased you're considering adopting a greyhound.  I have two greyhounds myself, and I'm also involved in greyhound rescue, so I have some experience with these terrific pets.  And as for doing your research, you're obviously a very responsible person any animal would be lucky to have as a Mom.

First, to respond to a couple of the answers you've already gotten:

Jiminy's answer about greyhounds having tons of energy is based on a very common misconception.  They're bred to sprint, not to run all day long.  A few quick zooms around an average sized yard, or a nice walk on a leash will tucker them out.  Seriously.  They tend to be active a few minutes at a time and then they sleep - a lot!

Babyjo18 is simply off base.  Greyhounds are generally not aggressive at all (of course there are exceptions here as there are with any breed).  Some of them have a high prey drive, which means they like to chase small furry things like chipmunks, squirrels, rabbits, etc.  Not all have a high prey drive, and to call them aggressive and compare them to pit bulls is nothing short of laughable.

Now, for your questions:

1.  As others have said, many rescue groups test for "cat tolerance", and you'll just need to specify that you have a cat in your home.  I don't have a cat, but one of my hounds could care less if he sees a cat, the other one is not cat tolerant at all.  They come in both flavors, and some are in between.

2.  I've obedience trained one of my hounds (I just adopted the other recently), and it's very easy using a positive method like clicker training.  They are smart and adaptable because of how they were raised.

3.  30 minutes will be too much for some greyhounds, particularly if it's hot outside.  If you split the exercise into 2 sessions it would be better, otherwise I'd limit it to 15-20 minutes.

4.  They require a bath 3-4 times a year (more if they get into the mud, of course), but they don't shed much, don't have much dander, and they generally don't get that "doggy smell".  I clean my boys' ears every couple of weeks using cotton balls and ear cleaning solution from the vet, and I clip their nails at that time.  That's all they need, unless you want to go the extra mile and brush their teeth.

Thanks again for considering adopting a greyhound, and for doing your homework before you bring one home.  They are gentle, relaxed, loving pets who add a lot of joy to their families.  I hope this helps!