Greyhound Adoption

[Key Of David]

Hi I'm new here and just discovered this board. Man what a great idea! I was wondering if anyone had any experience with greyhounds as I was considering adoption. There are plenty for adoption in my area and I've read up on them enough to feel like this would be the breed for me (plus they just look so cool! ).

Does anyone else have advise/opinions on this great breed (besides "they look starved" )?

David

 

[Didymus]

my friend s mother had one. it was completely unhousebroken and ate off the table and got on the couch. it also kept running away. they need a lot of training because they are adults who have never been in homes. but if you want one and have the time and patience i say go for it. i am not sure how they are around children but they are lousy around cats and smalldogs.

 

[Key Of David]

Thanks for the reply and the info, did. I've read up on the agencies around my area and there are a couple of them which use a foster home program. They send the dog to a foster care home where they are properly "acclimated" into being a pet for once in their lives and not some inconvenient to care for money maker. They are house-trained and at the same time allowed to be the puppy they weren't allowed to be as a youngster. This is an important proceeder as he really didn't ever know he was worthy of being someone's happy go lucky "pet". They are also true to their "sighthound" label, as they go by sight not smell when it comes to the "chase". This is reinforced at the track as they use a live or stuffed animal for them to chase during a race. If he sees a cat or similar small animal he will just belt for it. They have to become acclimated to these as well, some don't even have to be acclimated and some actually never do get why a cat keeps running from them when they belt for it.

One thing I will insist on though if this does turn out to be the right dog for me....he better jump on the couch anytime he feels like it, and make himself comfortable, cause it's his house too.

 

[SnowOwlMoon]

I've given serious thought to adopting a Greyhound, and have talked to some rescue people, as well as other Grey owners. Greyhounds are quiet, calm dogs--absolutely useless as a watchdog or guard dog. Around the house, they tend to be couch potatoes. I've heard varying statements of how much exercise a retired racer needs; it probably depends on their age and overall health. Your best bet, if you decide to adopt a particular dog, would be to check with the rescuer or foster parent of the dog for exercise requirements. A fenced in yard, with AT LEAST a 6 ft fence is a must. An enclosed dog run with a lid might be better. Again, I've heard conflicting information about this--one person says they don't jump, another says they will. They can never, ever be walked without a leash! Health is generally good--they are prone to certain types of cancer (bone cancer). It is essential to find a vet who is accustomed to working on sighthounds, as they do NOT tolerate anesthesia well, and even a routine teeth cleaning can be fatal from the anesthesia. They may have very poor teeth--dental problems are common to the breed (maybe due to what they are fed at the track). Due to a very thin coat and little body fat, they are susceptible to cold, and a warm jacket is essential on cold days. Their skin is very thin, and they will get cuts and lacerations easily. They may be dog and small animal aggressive.

That's about all I know about it. I am still considering a Greyhound, sometime in the future.

 

[IvoryRain]

my friend s mother had one. it was completely unhousebroken and ate off the table and got on the couch. it also kept running away. they need a lot of training because they are adults who have never been in homes. but if you want one and have the time and patience i say go for it. i am not sure how they are around children but they are lousy around cats and smalldogs.

Was this a retired racer?

I know virtually every adoption agency works with completely housebreaking the animals before they are placed, though accidents can happen. How did the dog keep running away? Most places require a fence, and people have to understand they arent supposed to be off leash in an unsecure area.

Another thing is all are "cat tested" and placed accordingly. Not all are small animal agressive and many live peacefully with other types of animals.

Take a look at TLC's cat testing program, and note the considerations given to the animals:

http://www.tlcgreyhoundadoption.com/cattest.html

 

[Key Of David]

You gotta really respect those who take such panes to make things better for the rest of God's creation, after all, who else is responsible for them but who He put in charge? I hope there are none on judgement day standing beside God saying, "Yeah, he ran right over me, and he didn't even stop!" You can call me silly but I honestly believe (it says this in 2 Enoch) animals WILL get their justice.

That is the SAME EXACT brindle I was looking for as what was on that dog in your link. What a beautiful dog.

 

[MsAnne]

My mother runs a group home for mentally challenged men. Last year they adopted a greyhound from "Greyhound Rescue". He is a retired racer. He needed some simple training just to get used to being in a "family" environment, but is a WONDERFUL dog. The guys love him, and he loves all the attention. He is eager to please, and has been a love to train.

I would recommend them. Oh, but note, they will be interviewing YOU as much as you are interviewing them. They (at least in our area) are VERY selective about who their dogs go to.

 

[Key Of David]

I'd like that...it says to me they really care about the animal and what's going to happen to him. The only potential problem I foresee with that is I live in apt. at the moment. I've read they need a tall fenced back yard from a few, but from most I've read they are fine apt. dogs. They become big ole couch potatoes in their retirement. I was actually kinda shocked that they don't have the endurance of other dogs, so most everyone advises not to take them on too long a run or walk, they get exhausted. They are more like quarter horses I guess....good for short bursts and then nothing.

I don't have any cats or small animals (not counting my 55 gallon african cichlid tank) so that's no problem. The only concern I have so far is the comment about their teeth. I've heard this as well. Probably not a big deal though. I'm sure they'll show me what I need to do to make sure they stay healthy. Thanks for all the replies guys.

 

[SnowOwlMoon]

The only concern I have so far is the comment about their teeth. I've heard this as well. Probably not a big deal though. I'm sure they'll show me what I need to do to make sure they stay healthy. Thanks for all the replies guys.

You can brush a dog's teeth--we do our 2 more or less regularely. I use the toothbrushes the dentist gives away everytime I go in, but I do use doggy toothpaste--the human toothpaste is too foamy and might make a dog sick. We have also just put the toothpaste on a damp terry washcloth and scrubbed the dogs' teeth with a fingertip.

 

[Dawn Marie]

I've always wanted a greyhound.

I live across from a highschool, and there used to be this man who would take his greyhound to run around the football field there. His name was Buddy or something. He was beige and sooo sweet and friendly.

I heard that Italian greyhounds are good for people with pet allergies... so I'm guessing the bigger variety can't be too bad.

 

[Key Of David]

Brushing them....I have to say...would take some getting used to, but I don't see why I can't do it. How often is it done?

I bet it was spectacular seeing that greyhound sprint in an open field....those dogs can really move. They say it's not so much a problem if a regular dog will chase the neighborhood cat, but it is with a greyhound, because he can actually CATCH one.

 

[SnowOwlMoon]

Brushing them....I have to say...would take some getting used to, but I don't see why I can't do it. How often is it done?

We try to brush our dogs' teeth once a week or every 2 weeks. It doesn't need to be done very often (not daily, like a human's). We give our dogs plenty of hard chew toys--Nylabones--and feed them dry kibble, and that helps keep their teeth clean.

 

[drewsmomnateswife]

We have a greyhound, she was in training to be a racer when she was injured. Afriend of ours who was a vet told us about her. We love her have had her about 6 years now, the teeth thing is a problem, we have to take her in for a prof. cleaning every 1 to 2 years. Very expensive too, because they put them under for the procedure. Also there feet tend to be a problem. you have to be very careful about the outdoor enviroment, they can sun burn easily and can never be out for long periods of time in the cold. We also have a pitbull who thinks he is a greyhound, he is submissive to the greyhound, when they play she totally dominates him. it is quite funny really. All in all they are good dogs, we have a 4 year old son who she tolerates but I wouldn't say she wants to "play" with him. Mostly she wants to sleep and once or twice a day gets bursts of energy where she runs around like a nut. Good dogs.