Any Greyhound Parents Out There

[JHolcomb]

Anyone the mom or dad to a greyhound? I'm trying to convince DH that if we get a dog, we should get a greyhound. Mostly because I don't care much for dogs...I don't like the way they smell or the way petting their coats makes my hands feel (this is a very serious issue with me). Plus I'm a little afraid of them. But greyhounds are totally different to me. I know that they don't smell and their coats arent't oily, and every single one I've ever been around is the sweetest, most laid back dog I've ever encountered. But I'm a little worried about how they would react to cats, seeing as how they chase a cat-sized object around a track day after day until they retire. Anyone own both? And as much as I would love to rescue one, anyone have experience with raising one from a puppy and their ability to be cat safe? We probably won't be getting a dog in the foreseeable future, but I'm curious anyway.

[momcancook]

YES!!YES!! ME!!ME!!! I have a wonderful Greyhound, 7 yrs old. We have had him for almost 4 yrs., this spring. He is a retired racer,whos track name was Garth Brooks! We know him as plain ole Garth.
It is possible to get a "cat-safe" greyhound, you just need to discuss this with the person you are getting your dog from. Some greys just don't want to be bothered chasing a cat. Check the web for a greyhound rescue in your area, there are many to choose from. Greyhound puppies are very hard to come by, as the majority of greys are bred and registered for the racing industry. You will find many opinions in the topic of dog racing. IMO, the main priority is giving these dogs a good home bfore they are put down. They are very sweet dogs, and are commonly referred as "40 mile per hour couch-potatoes"!
There is an adjustment period to bringing them home, as they probably have only been in a crate at the track for their whole little life, but they are good and eager learners! You will also get a LOT of support from other greyhound owners, and the group you adopt from!!
:D :D

[Beth H]

But greyhounds are totally different to me. I know that they don't smell and their coats arent't oily, and every single one I've ever been around is the sweetest, most laid back dog I've ever encountered.

My parents' best friends adopted a greyhound from a rescue program a few years ago. I would not describe him in any way as a "laid back" dog. He runs around the house A LOT. He certainly is not an agressive dog -he is very sweet. I know when my parents' friends got their dog (who was full-grown, not a puppy), the rescue program checked certain things out before they could take him - including whether they had a fenced in back yard.

I think adopting greyhounds and rescuing them from being destroyed is wonderful. But I think that they take a lot of nuturing and care.

[CompassRose]

I love greyhounds -- they are such charming dogs. A. and I have talked about greyhound rescue (specially after meeting the delightful rescue 'hounds owned by the people up the street)... and been talked out of it.

Apparently, the "chase cat/rabbit-size object" is hardwired into the brains of sighthounds, rather than being a trained thing. Instinctive reaction -- and even a hound who has lived harmoniously with cat(s) all its life can have the reaction triggered unexpectedly if Puss runs by at just the right speed and angle. Result: one dead cat. :(

Sighthounds are "at your own risk" pets in any household that includes other small animals, we've been informed.

[AmyO26]

We're greyhound parents! We adopted Bicardi from a rescue agency in July 2002, and she is a wonderful dog. She was extremely shy and nervous when we adopted her, in fact, she was even afraid of DH for a while! Since we've had her though, she has really come out of her shell. She sleeps with us every night (totally hogging the bed, of course), and she loves attention. DH has even taught her how to play with her toys (how sad that she didn't know how to "play" when we adopted her). We did crate her for several months until she was housebroken (they are crate-trained, not housebroken), but we don't really use it anymore...it's there though if she wants to go in it.
We also have two cats! The agency had designated her as "cat-friendly," though I must say CompassRose's post is making me a little nervous, as the cats are pretty rambunctious! So far so good, though. We have even caught Bicardi and one of the cats snuggled up on the couch together. Hope this helps!
Amy

[AmyO26]

Here are some pictures of Bicardi. The one with the "Bee" suit was taken before our town's Halloween Parade. The Nittany Greyhound group marches in the parade every year, and the dogs have to wear costumes! She hates it, of course! Kit-Cat seems intrigued by the costume :)

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid102/pb5ffebbe417ecdb425710c9481449f00/f9ba31aa.jpg

Here's one of Bicardi on "her" couch

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid102/p4587a7b4d832aa52a967cc27f3f4d410/f9ba2d86.jpg

[AmyO26]

Shameless "bump" by a proud greyhound mama ;)

[linsleyd]

Bacardi is adorable!

[AmyO26]

Thank you! :)

[JHolcomb]

What a cutie! We'll take the whole cat thing into consideration. Any dog is probably out of the question anyway, since we're pretty sure Tiva isn't dog-safe. Oh well...

[AmyO26]

Thanks :)! Actually I do try to "supervise" interaction between Bicardi and the cats, and like I said, so far they've gotten along fine. The adoption agency assured us that she was cat-friendly, but I can see the "chase" being instinctive as well. I do recall reading that you should not allow the hound and cat(s) to play together outside. I'm figuring the rationale is that inside a house is more confining (less room to run, chase, etc)
And I know what you mean about your Tiva not being "dog-friendly!" DH's old cat, Whiskers, used to slap MIL's dog across the face on a regular basis. He did not care for any other animals, especially dogs. Whisk died a few years ago, and both cats now are very friendly and affectionate.
Amy

[CompassRose]

Hey, this is cool! Greyhound cat-testing! (http://www.greycanine.com/greytfiles/Cattesting.htm)

Maybe we will have a hound one day after all.

[tamawrite]

Ohhh, I want I want I want. I've wanted to adopt a grey for a long time, but my Dal hates other dogs...so I'm trying to be patient...

[615bride]

JHolcomb - Have you been out to Greyhound Friends in Oak Ridge (right near Greensboro)? That's where we got ours and the owner Randy is great. He will cat test the dogs you like for you...