Ex-racing greyhounds

Has anyone rehomed an ex-racing greyhound? What are your experiences?

I’m strongly considering it as my first dog. I live alone in a rural setting and want a dog I can take out with me most places I go but can stand being alone for 4 hours at a time. I can get home at lunch to take the dog out.

Any other rescue breeds to consider?

rescue greyhounds make really good pets but be aware that they will go after rabbits (dinner?) and cats (not so cool) what they want is a 20min walk in the morning, 8hrs of being cwtched up and then 20mins in the eve. they wont be able to keep up with the bike though they are sprinters not long distance dogs.

greyhound rescue really appreciate foster owners so you can effectively try it out to see if the breed suits you while doing them a massive favour.

Fostering doesn’t sound like a bad idea! I understand they wont keep up with a bike, but I hope to get one used to all-day walks in the hills. My biggest fear with the breed is there off-lead unpredictableness (sp?). I would like a dog I could trust to walk beside me off-lead in the hills.

Daughter got one a year or so ago:

Wonderful dog, but when it’s had enough and gets too tired of walking, it just sits down and refuses to go any further.

So if you see a small blonde girl carrying a large tan greyhound through Chorlton Water Park at any stage, say ‘Hi’ to Heather and Billy.

We rehomed an ex racing greyhound about five years ago. We got her when she was 2, as she retired early as she was supposedly lame. The normal retirement age is 5 apparently.
She’s been great, and relatively low maintenance. She still loves to run- it’s quite something to watch her gallop around the field. She can be a bit of a wimp, and seems to have a low pain threshold- ie stands on a thorn and you’d think she’d lost a leg. And, although she could if she tried, she doesn’t do styles. And a greyhound is quite an awkward shape to carry over a style. (You said you were in a rural location).
But she is a very loyal pet. When not on a walk, she can be found either in her bed, on our bed, on one of the kids’ beds, or on the sofa asleep. Useless as a guard dog, and I don’t think she’d win any prizes on “Britain’s Pets Got Talent”. But good dogs all the same.

Why not ring up the rehoming people and have a chat?

Loads of people round here have the re-homed racing dogs and everyone I have spoken to has been really pleased with their greyhounds. All the people though have said its a short walk, lie down and rest for hours sort of a dog.

If you want someone more energetic, why not try the Dogs Trust or the local dogs home for some other kind – they should be experienced enough to recommend breeds to consider that will enjoy your lifestyle.

Karinofnine of this parish rehomed a pair recently. Drop her a line for a chat. 30 mph couch potato nickname is apt for greyhounds.

Not sure a greyhound is the type of dog to walk beside you in a country setting, it will chase anything that runs away including sheep. Our lurcher (part greyhound) goes mental in woods etc and just sprints off in the vague hope of catching something. Comes back when called or whistled just as fast and then runs off again. She wont chase sheep on sight like she does deer and will come back to be put on lead but I wouldnt trust her near them. Having said that a greyhound will be fine left for four hours your only problemm might be waking it up to go for a lunch time walk!!

Has anyone rehomed an ex-racing greyhound? What are your experiences?

Absolutely fantastic dogs, BUT…

Many have psychological issues. They may became agressive for no reason (mine bit me three times for no apparent reason, then was absolutely submissive for days afterwards); many DO NOT like to be left alone. Many cannot be homed with children, cats or other dogs, yet an equal number can. Some dogs “pair” with another long dog if they have been in a refuge and cannot be separated. They aren’t mated necessarily, just absolute best buddies – parting them will kill them. Or you.

They will steal and eat ANYTHING that they can get their jaws round. And once they have it they will not let go. Ours had (in no particular order) – a full christmas cake; a full chocolate cake (which nearly killed him); two loaves of bread; half a gammon roast; the cat (I kid you not, it was not a pretty sight).

As for exercise – they don’t need a lot. Two or three twenty minute walks a day is fine. The running thing varies – if the dog has just been retired it will chase small furry things, but not far, either until it is caught or the dog is knackered. If let off in an open space (e.g. a field, football pitch), the dog will run in an anti-clockwise circle once and come back to you. It will then be absolutely pooped for the rest of the day. The running thing tails off and stop when the dog hits about 8 years old.

Greyhounds fart. A lot. And it stinks. They also need their nails clipping regularly which they hate. The big downer with them is that they are genetically predisposed to contracting cancers of all sort. Our last grey died at the ripe old age of 14 with a tumour on his bladder. That was three years ago and I’m almost in tears typing this now.

That said, it can be most rewarding taking on a retired racer – they haven’t had chance to be a puppy and it is truly heartwarming to watch them “grow up” at a late stage; to learn to play and bark and be happy; and to be part of a family which they can trust.

Depending on where you are in the country, I can point you to about 80 – 90 long dogs in refuges which need a good home, or fostering.

Thanks, Lots to take on board.

I live in Northumberland and looking through google, there doesnt seem to be too many rehoming places nearby. I would love an ex-working dog like a collie, but don’t think I would be doing them any justice while im at work (gardener for the NT).

I appreciate that no dog is perfect but there must be the right one out there for me!

Here’s our first greyhound, Red…

We lost him about 3 years ago. Just before Christmas we adopted Cuillin, a 3 year old from Scottish Greyhound Sanctuary[/url].

Ditto everything said above. They are great pets, not that demanding, and will love you more than they love themselves. But there’s very few that can be trusted off-lead. Our daughter’s ex-racer can be let off and trusted (mostly) to come back. Red never did, though he might for a cocktail sausage. Don’t think Cuillin will but we’re trying to train him. Talk to your local greyhound charity, they’re great people and want the best for the dogs. They’ll guide you to a dog that suits you and your lifestyle.

Rob & Sandy & Cuillin (currently snoozing on the floor next to me, look………)

All the people though have said its a short walk, lie down and rest for hours sort of a dog.

Sounds just like a cat…

We’re on our second lurcher/greyhound x. Generally they make excellent pets as long as don’t want them to do too much. We’ve also got cats so they can be trained not to chase. They can be a little timid and a little nervous but generally its coz they’ve had an unpleasant home or owner. There also not particularly ruffty tuffty and need a coat in winter. As others have said, they do love a run to stretch their long legs but make sure they have good recall as I’m not sure you’ll catch one in full flight! Other than that they need a warm sofa 18hours sleep and they’re happy.

My mates got a animal shelter ex racing Greyhound, its the laziest dog Ive seen, does not even flinch if someone comes in the house, and what Rusty Spanner said, if it dont wanna walk it wont.

He loves it.

alexonabike – sounds like you will be a great dog owner, and some day some lucky pooch is going to end up in your care 🙂

Rather than focus on a specific breed at this point, concentrate on the attributes that you’re looking for – an active dog that you can take out all day, but can also cope with several hours alone. Anything else – size? long or short haired (big difference in the time needed for grooming!), child or other pet friendly, good with livestock etc etc? Then talk to a rehoming / rescue centre where many dogs are cross breeds.

Hope you find the right dog for you soon 🙂

Previous thread from a couple of months back.

http://www.northumberlandgreyhoundrescue.org.uk/Awaiting.htm

i like the look of merlin 😀

My lurcher (greyhound x saluki ) is such a good dog.
I’ve had cross-breeds before but l think greyhound types are ace!
They are really amusing dogs, soft as smoke!
Very loving and seem to just want to please you.
As you can see, lm really sold!
Rescue homes often have a few to choose from cos folks don’t see them
as a popular dog for some reason.
If you do get a rescue dog, it’s. so rewarding to see them settle-in with you and
their character develops as they get to feel at home.
Go for it, sounds like you’ll be a great “dad” !!
Love to see a pic
ieatpies1@googlemail.com when you can if poss.
(Id post a pic of “Bamby ” but l can’t do it! )
Paul 07776143890.

I think a retired greyhound would be the perfect first dog for you, my mum has one and I take him for walks all the time and let him run around. They are gentle, calm, don’t bark much, well socialised, no trouble at all really, the rescue place near me has loads to choose from so you can get one that suits you and I would imagine there are places like that all over the place.

http://www.northumberlandgreyhoundrescue.org.uk/Awaiting.htm

i like the look of merlin

That’s a damned fine name for a greyhound. My last boy was Merlin…

I have scoped out northumberland greyhound rescue (well online) and strangely enough it was Merlin that caught my eye too! I’m very wary of becoming too attached to a photo though!

Lovely pics of some fine looking dogs here!

get down there and take him for a walk, you wont regret it, what dogs put into your life is difficult to put into words

Beautiful dogs, if we didn’t already have a 19 month old little girl, mental lurcher and whippet I would re-home one at the click of my fingers.

My grandad trained and raced a few greyhounds. One of my memory’s of him is visiting as a kid.
He was on a deck chair in his living room and one of his ex racers was lying on the sofa. So we had to sit on tge floor.He never remarried when his wife died when my mother was 8. Grumpy auld bugger, but he loved his greyhounds more than anybody.

Hit and miss in my experience. Between myself and my parents we’ve had five ex-race greyhounds.

3 were great, loveable, friendly with lots of energy and generally good personalities. The other 2 were incredibly difficult. Temperamental, withdrawn and nervous with everyone and not the sort of dogs I would like to be around children with.

We did our best with them but no matter what they remained very nervous and withdrawn dogs. Sadly with race greyhounds they can be treated quite poorly in terms of socialisation and affection so sometimes they are difficult dogs when retired.

My grandad trained and raced a few greyhounds. One of my memory’s of him is visiting as a kid.
He was on a deck chair in his living room and one of his ex racers was lying on the sofa. So we had to sit on tge floor.He never remarried when his wife died when my mother was 8. Grumpy auld bugger, but he loved his greyhounds more than anybody.

Despite the fact I don’t have a greyhound (a small rented house, two cats and working full-time mean it’s not going to happen) I do PR work for the South East region of the Greyhound Rescue West of England (GRWE), which despite the name is a national charity.
I’ll echo all of the above, especially the lazy bit. However, the dogs do have huge characters and are generally very friendly once they get to know people. This can take time with some dogs as racers generally live in kennels and have limited contact with people. They can also be a little strange around other breeds of dog as they have had no real exposure to them. On the cat issue, the GRWE will always check its dogs to see if they are cat compatible.
If you want to know more take a look at http://www.grwe.com.

My grandad trained and raced a few greyhounds. One of my memory’s of him is visiting as a kid.
He was on a deck chair in his living room and one of his ex racers was lying on the sofa. So we had to sit on tge floor.He never remarried when his wife died when my mother was 8. Grumpy auld bugger, but he loved his greyhounds more than anybody.

Why did you post this twice?

Didn’t mean to.sorry if it has upset u

The suggestion of fostering one is a good idea.

A very good friend of mine recently took on two retired greyhounds from Northumberland Greyhound Rescue and has had mixed fortunes. One of them is an absolute charm, the other (younger, retired through injury) has been a real problem. It leaves “deposits” around the house and recently killed a neighbours cat – my mate (and his two sons) were particularly traumatised about this. He also nearly lost a finger trying to save the cat from his dog.

Hi. Yes, I re-homed two retired racers on 6 October last year – my third and fourth rescues.
I’m just waiting for some photos to transfer off my phone and I’ll try to post them.
In the meantime…
Yes, you can leave them for four hours at a time s/he/they will just go to sleep.
Walking off the lead: they can be trained to recall given time and patience but I would keep anydog on a lead around traffic/sheep/in crowded areas.
Dog is a very friendly girl who loves everything and everyone and has embraced her new life with no reservation. Teddy (who is older) I think has found his new life overwhelming at times – although I believe he likes it.
Cats. Some are cat-proof, some are not. Dogs chase cats. Fact.
Other dogs. Dot is fine. Teddy is unpredictable. He may improve with socialisation – I hope so.
Walking. Minimum 20 minutes a day but you can walk them for longer. I have slowly increased my walking times and they seem fine.
Nails. Need clipping often. Dot used to scream every time I touched her feet, so I touched them often without doing anything. Now I can handle her feet.
Remember that they are viewed as a commodity in kennels and their treatment is often rough and/or downright cruel, so they do cry pre-emptively.
They are loving, affectionate dogs – hugely intelligent and sensitive. Great companions, funny as anything, love to sleep on the bed. Inveterate food thieves – it’s hilarious, watch out! or your breakfast is gone 🙂
Ah, getting a bit long now (well, I was once called (on here) The Princess of Hot Air!).
Email in profile if you want to ask anything else.
Images on another post.
K

This is Reese, or as she is know in the our house ‘The Duchess’

She is 14 now, and likes to spend pretty much 23 hours a day sleeping, with a small walk and food break to stretch her legs.

Loves kids, but couldn’t eat a whole one. She prefers to give my nieces a wide berth tbh. More for her sake than theirs. 😆

She would still kill a cat, squirrel, rabbit or deer on sight if we let her. No chance, been there, done that, not good. In the countryside, she is leashed. She can’t help it, it is pure instinct and hundreds of years of breeding to chase small, furry animals, so you’ll never get that out of them.

Doesn’t like other dogs, but that is due to her background being in rough kennels. Meet plenty of Greyhounds and Lurchers who are very sociable dogs. Mind you, she loves my other dog, and still has a select few ‘friends’ in the village she will talk to. Moody cow that she is.

Yes, I have sat on the floor a few times because she wouldn’t get out of my chair ! If it’s raining, she WILL NOT go outside. Only if it’s fine out.

Would I change her for all her faults ? Never, and when she departs for the great deer forest in the sky, we’ll get another one.

Oh, get a good vacuum cleaner though, sheds hair like crazy when she malts her winter coat.

Me : Oi, get out my chair !!

Her : No, bog off you pleb, this is my chair now.

The above image is from a Roman mosaic in the House of Dionysus in Paphos, Cyprus.

Compare the dog in the mosaic to the one in Karinofnine’s pictures above.

Hmmm… looks familiar 🙂

Yup, that’s why it can be hard to train them out of chasing things.

Can recommend greyhound gap for advice, info and dogs!

We’ve got 3 😉

Could always put them in cheap burgers…

I’ll get me goat.

Hmm….goat burgers. 😆

Here are our two:

Inky, Blue female. Ex-racer, retired due to injury.

Bomber, White and black-ticked male. Never raced.

They are amazing dogs, so affectionate and gentle. They took a while to come out of their shells but are now real characters.

The place they came from “cat tests” them (I dread to think what this entails for the cat!). Ours are both cat-friendly. In fact they used to live with a cat in relative peace.

They took a while to get used to a bike – I think they were scared of the freewheel noise – but now bikes rides are good fun for all concerned. They won’t do all day mind, but an hour or so is not a problem for them.

As everyone is saying, they don’t need a huge amount of exercise. Ours get approx 30 mins in a morning and 40 mins on a night at this time of year but more in the summer. They’ll walk all day quite happily though. The rest of the time they’re sleeping… Karinofnine’s picture made me laugh, that’s exactly how Inky sleeps! Ours are left alone all day whilst we’re at work and save the odd shredded letter or upturned bin (see food thief notes above!) they don’t give us any bother.

Ours have caught the odd squirrel and bunny with gruesome consequences, but as said above, they’ve got hundreds of years breeding to do just that. You can trace their family trees via their ear tattoos, Mrs S managed to trace Bomber’s back to 1770!

They show none of the aggressive tendencies of other dogs, they’ll always just run away if challenged, and only ever bark in play if we get them really riled up. I can’t imagine them ever biting someone, Inly will occasionally nip if she’s massively excited (i.e. I ask for it).

I wouldn’t walk them near roads off the leash but I wouldn’t trust any dog in that situation. Ours run freely off the leadwith no bother up the woods. Seeing Inky at full tilt is an amazing sight – so fast!

johnellison is dead right though… Man can they fart! Bomber earned his name.

I’m struggling to think of any reason not to recommend them!

Neil.

I had an ex racing greyhound growing, truly fantastic companion, long walks, runs on the beach, it could easily sleep all day in front of the coal fire, would eat anything it could get its jaws around, including neighbours Xmas turkey one year, another neighbours jack Russell, our parrrot, hamster, plenty of pigeons.

unbelievably loyal, loving, sneaky bitch.

Long live ” Galloway lass”