Have a Barbour Steve Mc Queen coyt, far to warm for anything, even sat/stood on a sleeting febuary terrace watching my team getting stuffed, its too warm for me, just looking at it hung up gets me sweating cobs.Horrid thing.
Scabby old bike softshell for dawg walks,usually return same way on walks so full bags get stashed and picked up on way home or most time poo flicked into undergrowth,Have a fruit loop collie/whippet, not interested in treats or toys on walks, unless its another dog of its lead/jogger or cyclist in the next county
+1 for whatever your local farm store has in
https://www.tfmsuperstore.co.uk/products/wax-jacket-olive-l-2/
OP, I was hoping somebody else would pick up on the amount of walking you are doing with the dog because I'm beginning to feel like a busybody dog warden!
Just to say, I don't know any dog that could happily do 27miles in one walk, maybe a husky, but it's far far too much for a greyhound.
They are built for speed not stamina.
In bike terms, you're trying to do a road race on a DH bike or DH on a gravel bike. Somebody is going to get hurt and in this case, it's going to be the dog.
I'm quite sure you're walking him so far for all the right reasons but you risk doing him permanent and irreversible damage if you keep taking him on long walks.
I know it might seem like he needs them but he really doesn't. It also may seem like he enjoys them and he probably does but exercise for dogs is like alcohol for people - good in moderation. Obviously different breeds have different requirements but greyhounds need a quick zoom around a couple of times a day, not long walks. He may well be stressed. He may be struggling with adapting to becoming a pet after being a racer. It's a pretty different life. I am guessing your neighbour couldn't walk him regularly or much so he'll be super excited at going out for a walk. But what he needs is a routine so he knows when his next walk is coming. Think about it, he goes on these massive long walks, gets wet, then comes back to a cold house so his muscles don't even recover properly.
Greyhounds are often matched with older people as their exercise requirements are similar. I'm guessing that was one reason the rescue centre rehomed him to your neighbour.
I'm not an authority on dogs at all and hopefully someone else will come along and say something similar but if they don't, it might be a good idea to have a chat with the centre and see what they think. Or just do a bit of research online.
This is a good starting point:
https://www.greyhoundtrust.org.uk/home-a-greyhound/all-about-greyhounds
I know dogs are great motivators to get outside, especially when the weather is bad, but often they won't want to go out any more than you do. And while they are great companions on walks, you should always walk to their requirements, not yours.
Not trying to be holier than thou. I was told by a vet (a new vet when we moved house) that my super zippy little terrier was in pain with arthritis and it was clear I'd been walking her too much. I had real trouble understanding it as she loved her walks and always wanted more. She had to have all sorts of supplements, treatments and pain relief for it and much of it was unavoidable. I only wish someone had explained it to me at the time.
Anyway, you asked about jackets :). Something cheap with lots of pockets or Paramo if it rains a lot.
I'll give the greyhound trust a phone and explain the amount of walking I'm doing, see what they say. Don't want to hurt the poor chap.
Nice one!
Let us know what they say too. It wouldn't be the first time I've been caught talking absolute nonsense! Seriously, be interested to know what they say.
Ask them about coats as well, but I'm very surprised he doesn't already have one for winter walks.
My whippet needs his for a lot of autumn and spring ones too.
And also really doesn't like going near streams.
I've got a Hogg's of Fife padded waxed coat (from a farm supplies shop) for winter dog walking duties. Different layers underneath for different temperature days. I'm only out for an hour or two, though.
For warmer wet looking walks, an RAF Goretex coat does me.
Army surplus goretex jacket, cheap washable, and work compared to a wax jacket.
I love my Barbour but they are shite for dog walking , never deel warm enough in the Scottish winters , Just worn my Napapjiri skidoo for the first time in a few years to go and see a mate. Now thats a jacket depsite the Yoof hijacking the brand a few years back.
I have a wax Barbour and like it very much but don't use it for dog walks. For that I use my waterproof Berghaus or North Face it replaced.
Turd wise our Lab usually has a big one and a small one per day. She has favoured spots and we walk her in the same places most days so just carry them in bags and put them in the nearest bins.
27 miles is insane! Ours does 2 miles max and he's only just about to hit 3. Seemingly you can get them into longer walks but it's very much a long term thing.
As for poops ours (35kg) is a roughly a 4 a day guy. First thing, afternoon, then 2 at night (or he'll save an extra one for morning). Used to stink to high heaven but moved him from Gain onto Millies Wolfheart (costs a bit more but is full of meat rather than grain) and now rarely farts and is nice and solid. Has a weird habit of shitting on trees though.
But again, well done for doing the right thing, sounds like you've both got a good pal.
Just the echo thepilot, it's superb what you're doing, but a 30-45min walk twice per day is more than enough for a greyhound.
One of their nicknames is they're a 30mph couch potato. They will sprint around for a while then walk to heel for the rest of the walk. Then sleep for however long it is before their next walk. It's almost like owning a cat in some respects.
Ours even loved boxes the doofus.
Good advice in here, nothing to add on that front
@Lotto - fair play to you mate. You’re taking all the advice on the chin and at face value, could easily have got narcy, full credit to you on that front
Talked to the owner this morning when I collected 'Billy' for his walk. He had the pack that he came with and in it was contact numbers you could use to reach out for advice. I called a very helpful lady and it turned out she is a local foster parent for doing the initial assessments on the dogs that are handed in and was familiar with Billy. She kindly offered to meet us for a socially distanced local walk.
Her initial impression was that we had him back racing again as he is so muscley, I noticed a distinct difference in the structure to the dog she brought along.
I explained the amount of walking he is doing and from his condition she was confident his diet is good. Owner says he is fed raw. I have no idea what this means but it must suit Billy.
My two one hour walks daily totalling around 7 miles is the upper of what would be recommended for a greyhound and could certainly be cut back. It is thought he is 4 years old and not long out of racing, so fortunately was able to cope and should have no lasting ill effects.
Of more concern to her was the change in routine. She explained greyhounds particularly enjoy structure, especially ex racers. Cut a long story short the owner is expected to be walking him again by spring/summer and a routine should be followed that the dog is familiar with. It is likely that the dog will be walked 15/20mins, 3 or 4 times a day leaded and muzzled.
We are to try and get Billy into this structure. This is the bind. I can only walk him twice a day as I work. We are going to try and sort something out where I drop his walks to 20mins and see how that goes. Maybe now and again get him somewhere remote to let him off and stretch his legs to compensate for not being able to get him out the 3 or 4 times he is expected to be out. He may be fine with the 40 minutes though, play it by ear.
As for doing the Munros, she was surprised a greyhound would even entertain it, but if he did it must have enjoyed it, but recommended no more walks like that for him.
As for the coat, he has one that he wears in the house, the owner never wore it outside as it would get wet , smell and not dry in the house, as he was walking outside it was thought he would be warm enough as he was exercising.
It was explained this was unsatisfactory, and the shelter are going to provide a hap to be worn outside. I'll collect it in the next few days. I should probably make a donation in Billy's name for the kindness shown.
Overall if I'm honest I feel pretty sad. I didn't think I was doing anything wrong and looking at the condition of him then he is very well looked after. I admit to not being experienced in dog keeping so willing to listen to the trusts advice and advice here . I can't help but feel that he is an Olympic athlete and is now playing at a local level if that makes sense. But it is not about me, it is about Billy and his owner, I'm only helping out.
Anyways thanks for the recommendations on the waxed cotton jacket, the bag was the idea I fancied there most, for 20 minute walks I'll just suck it up with a cheap jacket, no need of anything else.
Lotto, you're doing an incredible thing here and have absolutely no reason the feel sad at all. If only all pet owners did the research you're doing there would be less animals in need of loving homes.
Chapeau my friend!
Oh, and RAW is essentially just raw, whole foods, no processed food. Some think it's the best diet for dogs.
Lotto, I completely understand why you are feeling sad. It sounds like you've had some wonderful adventures together. And I don't think you did anything wrong, I think you made a mistake. And it's really easy to do. We're brought up to think dogs love walks, and they do, and there's nothing nicer than taking a dog who's clearly having a great time for a walk. Most dogs don't get walked enough so if you've got the time, then go for it, is the way both you and I thought with our respective dogs I'd guess.
Seriously, I felt like the fun police when I had to cut my dog's walks right down and you'll likely feel the same. But the important thing is you're doing it because you know that is what is right for Billy.
I think he'll absolutely love going off somewhere remote for a zoom around btw. I think you could do that pretty regularly so long as it wasn't for too long. Not sure what the greyhound woman said about it?
It sounds like you enjoy spending time with him as well as walking him. Could you take him to your house and do some enrichment activities with him? There are loads of toys you can buy but you can just get a cardboard box, some ripped up newspaper and hide a toy or a treat in it and let/help him find it. He would probably love that and it would tire out his brain rather than his body. There's loads of info on enrichment activities online.
As for his 'output', you'll probably find there's much less as his exercise gets cut and you'll have less to pick up.
Doesn't sound like it's the right time for you now but I'll bet you're going to make a fantastic dog owner in the future 🙂
Yep, thumbs up Lotto. Good work.
Do get a pic of Billy for us if you can.
