I cannot recommend Greyhounds enough as pets

Lizabellem

If you are getting a dog soon or ever, consider getting a greyhound.
There are so many ex racer dogs that need home and they make the best pets.

1. They don't need to be groomed
2. They need a small walk
3. They are really smart
4. They don't have that usual dog smell
5. They don't roll in mud
6. Rescue animals love to be loved

Plus, there are many more reasons, these are my top 6.

Indricotherium

Lizabellem wrote: »

If you are getting a dog soon or ever, consider getting a greyhound.
There are so many ex racer dogs that need home and they make the best pets.

1. They don't need to be groomed
2. They need a small walk
3. They are really smart
4. They don't have that usual dog smell
5. They don't roll in mud
6. Rescue animals love to be loved

Plus, there are many more reasons, these are my top 6.

They look a bit gank is the only thing that would put me off them.

Lizabellem

Indricotherium wrote: »

They look a bit gank is the only thing that would put me off them.

No they don't, they are beautiful. They are like the supermodel of dogs.

Jimmy Bottlehead

Maybe it's just me, but whenever I meet a dog in person, I can't help but forget their looks and focus on their personality.

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

Lizabellem wrote: »

No they don't, they are beautiful. They are like the supermodel of dogs.

exactly

Dirk Gently

Never had one and don't know a whole lot about them but any I've seen are always on lead and muzzled. I assume there's an issue with high prey drive there?

Toulouse

Dirk Gently wrote: »

Never had one and don't know a whole lot about them but any I've seen are always on lead and muzzled. I assume there's an issue with high prey drive there?

For some yes, after all they are bred to chase. But alot of them are not good chasers and so are discarded in large numbers. Have a look at any sighthound site and you will see cat friendly Greys.

Many Huskys and Terrier breeds have high prey drives too and it doesn't stop thousands of people in Ireland keeping those breeds as pets.

Greyhounds are fabulous dogs, I've been around them my whole life and can't ever see me not having one.

Whispered

Lizabellem wrote: »

No they don't, they are beautiful. They are like the supermodel of dogs.

They promote an unhealthy body image. The amount of times my staffy has turned down his food and looked wistfully at a picture of a greyhound. :pac:

No seriously though, any one of them I met has been wonderful, placid and sweet. Something nearly shy about them. Very easy to walk on the lead and very clean.

Lizabellem

Dirk Gently wrote: »

Never had one and don't know a whole lot about them but any I've seen are always on lead and muzzled. I assume there's an issue with high prey drive there?

Nah, its only the way the breeders of the racers walk with them.

They actually are cat friendly !

Lizabellem

Whispered wrote: »

They promote an unhealthy body image. The amount of times my staffy has turned down his food and looked wistfully at a picture of a greyhound. :pac:

This is too funny !

TooManyDogs

Dirk Gently wrote: »

any I've seen are always on lead and muzzled. I assume there's an issue with high prey drive there?

Like Toulouse said some have prey drive but as far as I'm aware greyhounds have to be muzzled by law, nothing to do with being aggressive.

It's always useful to bear in mind what the dog was originally bred for and take that into account as to whether that breed would suit your lifestyle but there's always exceptions, there are tons of greyhounds happily sharing houses with cats and plenty of labrador who would run down a cat if given a chance.

i71jskz5xu42pb

I had a greyhound (well part greyhound and a bit of whatever you're having yourself really) when I was a kid, best dog I ever had, a lady through and through, placid and liked nothing more than to curl up beside you with her head on your lap for a snooze.

And much and all as I hate seeing any type of clothing on dogs, I'd allow a seasonal waiver for this.

TooManyDogs

Braylon Greasy Comma wrote: »

And much and all as I hate seeing any type of clothing on dogs, I'd allow a seasonal waiver for this.

WANT ONE!! (or 6 in different sizes and matching colours! )

Magenta

Is it true that they sleep for 20 hours a day? Would they be a good choice for people who work during the day in this case?
Also, do they bark much?

TooManyDogs

Magenta wrote: »

Is it true that they sleep for 20 hours a day? Would they be a good choice for people who work during the day in this case?
Also, do they bark much?

I have 5 lurcher pups in foster at the moment and they sleep all the time, then have a mad 5 mins and sleep again! Most chilled out, lazy pups ever. I also mind a saluki hound from down the road and she goes to bed about 11pm and doesn't get up until about 1pm the next morning! All the other dogs will be up and milling around and she'll still be snoozing under her blanket

planetX

TooManyDogs wrote: »

Like Toulouse said some have prey drive but as far as I'm aware greyhounds have to be muzzled by law, nothing to do with being aggressive.

I'm not aware of any law about muzzling greyhounds.

Some have high prey drive, but very many don't. Rescues always have a good idea of whether this is the case or not. The only thing I'd add to the OP is that they are not needy dogs, to the point where they can seem a bit detached.

And my dog rolls in mud - but maybe that's the 'other' half. Lurchers vary a lot depending on the cross, mine is much more energetic than any greyhound we've met. And he lives happily with 5 cats.

super_furry

Always said that whenever I get my own place with a garden I'd get a rescue greyhound. Beautiful animals.

fatmammycat

I exercise my lad three or four times a week with a small pack containing two lurchers; they are beautiful dogs, so easy going and sweet natured. And REALLY fast, it's comical watching the youngest one run rings around my dog.

ISDW

fatmammycat wrote: »

I exercise my lad three or four times a week with a small pack containing two lurchers; they are beautiful dogs, so easy going and sweet natured. And REALLY fast, it's comical watching the youngest one run rings around my dog.

The way I read that, because I have backpacks for my dogs, is that you walk your lad with a backpack containing 2 lurchers. :eek:

fatmammycat

ISDW wrote: »

The way I read that, because I have backpacks for my dogs, is that you walk your lad with a backpack containing 2 lurchers. :eek:

Hah, he's big, but he's not THAT big , nah, he's part of a walking pack, which is terrific for socialising him, and for reminding him_ quite sharpishly_ that he's not the biggest dog in the park. Funnily it's the older lurcher who is top dog of the group and all the dogs respect his calm authority, even Mr Mcteenagegiddypants.

girl in the striped socks

I absolutely love greyhounds. They are so elegant I could look at them all day.
I already have a lab x that was destined for a nasty end if we didn't give him a home but I already know that as soon as its possible I will be rehoming a greyhound.
A neighbour of mine already has one & she is so affectionate & calm. A really beautiful dog with a great personality.

anniehoo

super_furry wrote: »

Always said that whenever I get my own place with a garden I'd get a rescue greyhound. Beautiful animals.

Me too. The next dog i get will be a lurcher or greyhound. I started working with them 12 years ago, with no prior contact really and i couldnt believe how everything i thought about them previously changed in an instant. I adore these dogs and im so glad to see the perception of them is changing in this country.

Mince Pie

TooManyDogs wrote: »

I have 5 lurcher pups in foster at the moment and they sleep all the time, then have a mad 5 mins and sleep again! Most chilled out, lazy pups ever. I also mind a saluki hound from down the road and she goes to bed about 11pm and doesn't get up until about 1pm the next morning! All the other dogs will be up and milling around and she'll still be snoozing under her blanket

I would give my right arm to see pics of cute lurcher pups!
I have a rescue lurcher and she is the best thing to happen to me. I love her, she is so chilled at home and a total comedy character when she's out having a run. Also brilliant with my sisters kids. If I could I would definitely get another rescue.

Magenta

Magenta wrote: »

Is it true that they sleep for 20 hours a day? Would they be a good choice for people who work during the day in this case?
Also, do they bark much?

No, they don't bark and they sleep about 23 hours a day! I've had greyhounds as pets now for over 25 years! They are just soooooo lazy! I will disagree with OP about grooming! They do need a rub of a glove once a week or so. Their teeth need attention too. I've learned how to brush their teeth while grooming them. They also love a bath/shower. They are very child friendly.

loveisdivine

We hope to get a greyhound in the future. We are not relly in the position to at the minute, but one day!

krissovo

I have had rescue greyhounds going back 15 years or so, 90% have been perfect but a few cannot make the switch from working dog to pet. Most will change completely within a few weeks but some have emotional scars.

They are the perfect pet for a lazy person as they need very little attention and upkeep. They also like to keep themselves clean and would be close to bursting open rather than mess in side their home.

Some "minor" problems I have had:
Stairs - Had a hound who hated stairs and took 4 years to climb them without falling down.

Cats - My first hound leaped a 8ft fence after a cat was teasing it for days and killed it. It killed 3 or 4 others in the area so neighbors were getting upset.

Heart Attacks - Had two die of heart attacks after they were chasing rabbits in a local field. The hounds will keep on running until either they catch a prey or their hearts stop from over exertion, they are designed to run under 400 meters a time and cannot cope with any endurance.

"Heart Attacks - Had two die of heart attacks after they were chasing rabbits in a local field. The hounds will keep on running until either they catch a prey or their hearts stop from over exertion, they are designed to run under 400 meters a time and cannot cope with any endurance."
I would never let a greyhound loose in a field. I have a half acre back garden that they can run round, but I'd be afraid to let them loose elsewhere, for the very reason you gave!

threepennys

I have kept pet greyhounds for 15 years & absolutely adore them
They are clean, quiet, gentle dogs and want for nothing more than a couple of short walks a day and a comfy bed (or sofa!).
They don't require any special food, although some can have sensitive tummies (like any pedigree dog).
They require little grooming and are great for people with allergies as they have no undercoat.
Fantastic with children & easy to walk. They are not a restricted breed, so do NOT need to be muzzled when out.
They are quite simply the most affectionate, biddable dogs. I could go on all day - what's not to like?!

Magenta

I work full time and live in an apartment and would love a greyhound, but it's hard enough to find a place that's dog friendly as it is, and most people still think a greyhound will spend all day doing laps of the living room so it wouldn't be easy to find a landlord who'd be open to the idea.
In the past few months I've seen several being walked around Dublin and it looked like they were regular pets which is great to see.

krissovo

Deleted User wrote: »

I would never let a greyhound loose in a field. I have a half acre back garden that they can run round, but I'd be afraid to let them loose elsewhere, for the very reason you gave!

They jumped a 8 ft fence in my 1 acre garden to get into the field:eek:

Tranceypoo

Re the muzzling, my understanding is that greyhounds who are kept as running greyhounds have to be muzzled when out being exercised in public, pet greyhounds don't.