View Full Version : Greyhounds...
LisaLGK
08-28-2006, 05:34 PM
Hi,
I'm noticing that there aren't too many Greyhound owner's here. (If any.)
I just wanted to tell everyone about our Greyhound, Daisy. (She's 4 yrs. old.)
I've learned A LOT, since adopting her, and I wanted to pass a little bit of what I know, on to other people who aren't familiar with them.
Here goes... (By the way... more pics follow, further down in this thread)
First of all, Greyhounds are "couch potatoes" once they retire from a track.
They're NOT high-energy dogs, like people sometimes assume. (because of seeing them racing, some people think that they're like that all the time, but they're NOT, not at all.)
Once you get them home, they just want a comfy place to lay down, and be petted.
(and they're SO SOFT!!! Their hair is silky, and soft.)
They make GREAT apartment dogs, because they require so little attention.
(PLUS, they rarely bark.)
They just need to be walked a couple of times a day, just like with any breed.
They don't need a large area to run in. (Even when they do have one, they just sprint for a short distance, and want to go back to their sofa.)
MANY are small animal safe. You just have to find an adoption group that knows the dogs individually, and they'll match the right one to you. (They don't want a high-prey drive dog to go home with a person with cats, for example.) They want BOTH owner's and dog's to be happy! They're VERY careful about these things...
(Daisy gets along GREAT with our Sheltie, our guinea pigs, our chickens, and our doves. (our doves LAND on her!) Some dogs wouldn't. We made sure we found one that suited our needs. (the adoption group made sure.)
They don't shed as bad as many dogs do. (I've heard that the darker color the dog, the less they shed.) I don't know how true this is, but I CAN say, that Daisy hardly sheds at all. (and she sleeps on the sofa's)
They're LOVING, GENTLE dogs, that just want a home. (Most are put to sleep, once they finish racing. I've heard the numbers 30,000 bred anually... 20,000 will die.) I've seen those numbers on several Greyhound sites.
They'll adore you, and make you a very happy owner.
Most people that get a Greyhound end up with several, because of what they call "the potato chip syndrome". Once you have one... you just can't stop!! (although we still just have one, because we also have a Sheltie.)
Anyway, there's a TON more that I could tell you about the breed, if anyone wants. Plus, there are many adoption groups full of great information about them. I, for one, am hooked on these gentle sweethearts. I'll always, always have one in my house. (I have 4 children, too, by the way.)
That's all!! Just wanted to put this info. out there, to help ensure these sweet dogs get a fair rap.
Thanks for listening!!! (and if you have a Greyhound, PLEASE tell me about it!!! or if someone you know does... I'd LOVE to hear about it.)
Lisa
Oh, and I forgot to add: MOST hotels (even the really nice ones) will ALLOW Greyhounds even when other breeds aren't allowed. (Since they don't bark, are well-tempered, well-mannered, and hardly shed.)
Oh, and two more things... Did you know that at one point in time, only royalty was allowed to own a Greyhound? If anyone else tried, they would be put to death...
AND... the Greyhound is the ONLY dog mentioned in the Bible! (Cool stuff!)
More pics follow further down in this thread... (several, several more!)
I love greyhounds, I live near by a shelter and it breaks my heart because its mainly got greyhounds and lurchers in it. If I could I would buy them all but I live with my mam and she thinks two dogs are enough. This one particular greyhound I was talking to and stroking had such soft fur.. I was quite surprised actually because I was expecting her to feel quite harsh because of her short hair. She was lovely. Apparently in her past life she had been punched/kicked in her face and she had a broken nose. I really thought she was special, Such a friendly, lazy, reserved dog. I really wanted to take her home to give her a better life, I pleaed with mam for ages but she doesn't want more than two dogs. I just hope that lovely girl has a loving home :(
This post wasn't meant to be down beat.. lol
lassie
08-29-2006, 03:48 AM
Hey they are great animals, so laid back. People dont realise how great a pet they make. Not needing miles of excercise. they are actually quite lazy.
Borzoi mad
08-29-2006, 05:09 AM
I too love the greyhounds and have promised myself that one day I shall have a retired "couch potato" but the time is not right at present. I do my best to spread the news of how they make such wonderful pets. Although I have to say that not all of them don't cast I have a friend who has two and they both cast one more profusely than the other, but since I have long-haired breeds the casting would not deter me in any way from having one.
lassie
08-29-2006, 09:26 AM
Me too . ex racers make great pets ;)
LisaLGK
08-29-2006, 09:42 AM
Awww, you guys are all so sweet!!! I'm SO GLAD I found this forum!!!:p
You should post more pics of Daisy, Shes a wonderful advert for greyhounds! She looks like she has a really fun personality!
skunkstripe
08-29-2006, 03:56 PM
I think Greys are fantastic dogs.
Everything I have read or heard about them is that they have excellent manners and nice personalities. All the ones that I have met have been nice dogs.
If I did not already have two dogs I might have one now. About a year ago DH and I were at some kind of indoor home show, and the folks who place ex-racres were their with some of the dogs they wanted to adopt out. Being a dog lover of course I went over to them to see the dogs. I felt a little sorry for them being there with all the people and the noise. One of them liked me so much she was LEANING on me. Her fur was so soft, and she had beautiful spots. The woman kept asking if I didn't want to adopt her since she obviously liked me so much. I said we really couldn't, and besides where we live it is impractical to put up a fence, I said that we go camping and hiking and biking and always let our dogs off leash (which you are not supposed to do with Greyhounds). She said she did the same thing.
ARGH! Someday!
LisaLGK
08-29-2006, 04:56 PM
OK... More pics it is!!! (Like I had to be asked twice!!!)
http://s76.photobucket.com/albums/j2/LisaLGK_1/Animals/th_DSCN0047.jpgHere she's sitting pretty!!!
http://s76.photobucket.com/albums/j2/LisaLGK_1/Animals/th_29dff8a0.jpgHere she has her cute ears up. (Kind of unusual for Greyhounds)
http://s76.photobucket.com/albums/j2/LisaLGK_1/Animals/th_DSCN3499.jpgHere she's doing her job... (very well, I might add)
http://s76.photobucket.com/albums/j2/LisaLGK_1/Animals/th_DSCN3808.jpgHere she's dreaming of a juicy steak...
(I'll add more pics. in a new window... I don't know what the limit is, and I don't want to push it.)
LisaLGK
08-29-2006, 05:02 PM
OK... Here are a few more...
http://s76.photobucket.com/albums/j2/LisaLGK_1/Animals/th_DSCN3491.jpgHere she's but-to-butt with her sister, Molly...
http://s76.photobucket.com/albums/j2/LisaLGK_1/Animals/th_DaisyMaddie.jpgHere she is with one of our kitties, Maddie...
http://s76.photobucket.com/albums/j2/LisaLGK_1/Animals/th_DSCN3577.jpgHere she's just hamming-it-up...
http://s76.photobucket.com/albums/j2/LisaLGK_1/Animals/th_latestbatch518.jpgThis is one of our Water Dragon's, Ozzy. (Sorry, I just wanted to show him off!)
I'll add more pics.... next window...
LisaLGK
08-29-2006, 05:14 PM
A few more...
http://s76.photobucket.com/albums/j2/LisaLGK_1/Animals/th_daisyincoat.jpgDaisy's winter attire... (she's in a "blue mood" on this day)
http://s76.photobucket.com/albums/j2/LisaLGK_1/Animals/th_latestbatch593.jpgThis was last Christmas... (it wore her out, as you can see.) Santa was good to her.
http://s76.photobucket.com/albums/j2/LisaLGK_1/Animals/th_DSCN0814.jpgHere are her "Bedroom Eyes". (she can do it even better than this, sometimes she "bats" them at me.)
http://s76.photobucket.com/albums/j2/LisaLGK_1/Animals/th_DSCN0729.jpgHere she's playing with one of the Guinea Pigs. (Miranda) She was so excited, she stuck her tongue out! (She cleans her, like she's her baby...)
That's all for now... I don't want to get too carried away. (I could go on for pages, and pages!!!)
She's absoultly beautiful <3
dogcrzy009
09-01-2006, 07:18 PM
I loved reading your information about greyhounds! and the beautiful pictures!
I Have been considering getting a larger dog in the near future and a greyhound was one of the breeds I was considering.. Your information definitely puts them higher on my list.
mysterydog1
09-01-2006, 09:41 PM
i love greyhounds! mostly any sight hound will get my attention. I love reading about them and how they are different.
katch_this
09-03-2006, 04:11 PM
Heya, I love your pictures. I will be getting my first dog in a few months and had been considering a whippet. The main reason I hadn't thought about a greyhound is that I will only have a small car and I was worried that he'd have trouble fitting in a crate in the back (Haven;t got the car yet so can't tell you what size crate will fit but it'll probably be a ford fiesta so whatever size will fit in there with the back seats down.)
What do you think? My friend had a greyhound years ago and she says they curl up really small and would have no trouble travelling in a small car.
Any thoughts?
mysterydog1
09-03-2006, 06:07 PM
i think all sighthounds like to curl up. they all do it. but in a crate, in a small car? greyhounds are big. and like on your other thread any sighthound would not like being in a car or even in a crate. unless it was nighttime and the dog is trained like that. Try another breed. Like mini poodle, or something. But IMO sighthounds would not like that at all.
Snoopy667
09-03-2006, 06:57 PM
My uncle has a 13 yr old greyhound. One of the best dogs ever!
Sabledog
09-03-2006, 08:10 PM
i have a cousin that adopted a greyhound about 2 years ago, and she is one of the sweetest dogs ever, but you forgot to mention in the list of stuff about greyhounds the fact that they have the worst dog breath ever, i have never smelled anything so horrid, it must be all the canned food they feed them or something but it is badddddd.
mysterydog1
09-03-2006, 08:35 PM
lol. greyhound breath. thats funny.
LisaLGK
09-04-2006, 12:37 AM
Daisy's breath isn't stinky!! :p She eats dry food, and had her teeth cleaned before we got her. (Most do.)
As far as the small-sized car goes...
I know several people that have Greyhounds, and small cars. Greyhounds generally travel VERY WELL. (Daisy curls up on the back seat.)
Good luck with whatever you go with!!
Snoopy667
09-04-2006, 12:28 PM
Oh yes, greyhound breath. That was a big problem for a while. There were a few breath products that helped out, but eventually she had all her teeth removed... now it's fine, but her tongue hangs out of her mouth!
vagreys
09-04-2006, 02:55 PM
...I've heard the numbers 30,000 bred anually... 20,000 will die.) I've seen those numbers on several Greyhound sites...
Daisy is a beautiful hound. Thank you for sharing her with us. I've read similar numbers, and there was a time (about 30 years ago) when the numbers were much worse. However, I think the number of hounds adopted each year is much higher than what you have, here. According to the American Greyhound Council, about 24,000 retired racing Greyhounds are adopted as pets or returned to the breeders as pets, each year. That's about 90% of the 26,000 registered racing Greyhounds that are retired each year.
What is true is that more Greyhounds retire each year than are adopted, meaning that thousands are still being put down each year. One adoptable hound put down is one too many. Clearly, we have more work to do.
vagreys
09-04-2006, 03:46 PM
Heya, I love your pictures. I will be getting my first dog in a few months and had been considering a whippet. The main reason I hadn't thought about a greyhound is that I will only have a small car and I was worried that he'd have trouble fitting in a crate in the back (Haven;t got the car yet so can't tell you what size crate will fit but it'll probably be a ford fiesta so whatever size will fit in there with the back seats down.)
What do you think? My friend had a greyhound years ago and she says they curl up really small and would have no trouble travelling in a small car.
Any thoughts?
Yes. Whippets make great companions. Just don't be getting a Whippet hoping it will be a smaller version of a Greyhound. Whippets are much more energetic. Greyhounds are much more sedate.
I transport a pair of retired racing Greyhounds in a Ford Taurus wagon with no difficulty. I do not use crates, but do have a pet barrier installed between the rear compartment and the backseat, turning the rear compartment into a space big enough for two Greyhounds to ride in comfort and safety. A crate big enough for a Greyhound will not fit in a Fiesta, I don't think. The dimensions of a crate for a Greyhound are going to be either 28"x32"x42" or 30"x35"x48".
i think all sighthounds like to curl up. they all do it. but in a crate, in a small car? greyhounds are big. and like on your other thread any sighthound would not like being in a car or even in a crate. unless it was nighttime and the dog is trained like that. Try another breed. Like mini poodle, or something. But IMO sighthounds would not like that at all.
I have fostered many retired racing Greyhounds and volunteer to drive newly retired racers up and down the east coast of the U.S. to their adopters. At least in the U.S., racing Greyhounds are transported to and from the tracks throughout their racing lives in cars, trucks, vans, and trailers, and they are raised in crates in the kennels. Without exception, every retired racer I have encountered has travelled well, and has done fine with crates. I realize crating is a contentious issue, and my intent is not to debate the relative merits of crating. I merely point out that, at least in the U.S., retired racing Greyhounds do fine with cars and crates.
vagreys
09-04-2006, 03:55 PM
i have a cousin that adopted a greyhound about 2 years ago, and she is one of the sweetest dogs ever, but you forgot to mention in the list of stuff about greyhounds the fact that they have the worst dog breath ever, i have never smelled anything so horrid, it must be all the canned food they feed them or something but it is badddddd.
Racing greyhounds are fed a diet heavy in raw meat. They have long, narrow muzzles with deep pockets between their cheeks and gums, allowing food deposits to build up, particularly on their back teeth. When they retire, many Greyhounds have bad teeth and need dental work. Brushing teeth needs to be part of routine care of your retired racing Greyhound. With good dental care and routine brushing, and a good diet, a Greyhound's breath is no better or worse than that of any other dog, and their kisses are just as sweet.
LisaLGK
09-07-2006, 03:29 PM
Thank you Tom!!!!! (vagreys)
If anyone has ANY questions about Greyhounds.... THIS is the guy to talk to!!! He knows A LOT. :p (although we conflict a bit on our numbers.)
The sites that I got the numbers off of were sites against the racing industry. I don't know where they got those numbers, but I saw them in several different places. (I PRAY that your numbers are closer.)
lassie
09-07-2006, 03:32 PM
where do you sit LOL?
Borzoi mad
09-07-2006, 04:00 PM
Daisy's breath isn't stinky!! :p She eats dry food, and had her teeth cleaned before we got her. (Most do.)
As far as the small-sized car goes...
I know several people that have Greyhounds, and small cars. Greyhounds generally travel VERY WELL. (Daisy curls up on the back seat.)
Good luck with whatever you go with!!
I have to agree with the above as regards bad breath any breed can have this depending on what they are being fed.
And greyhounds travel well in a small space like all sight hounds they will curl up. Obviously it is better if any breed has more space but that is only common sense . I personally think the breed is much maligned and people should be encouraged to own one and not discouraged. they are a wonderful to live with energetic but at the same time can be real couch potatoes. But whatever breed you choose good luck but please don't be put off getting a greyhound because you have a small car.