Who here has adopted a Greyhound??

[Mermaid02]

Our Weimaraner is almost 11 and I can't imagine our house without her here. I love having a dog around. We went to Petco yesterday and the Maine Greyhound Rescue was there.... what a sweet bunch of dogs! I heard not one growl, not one bark, not one yip.... just wagging tails and kisses for everyone! I was thinking maybe we could get Maddy a brother- a couple of years old would be great!

What have your experiences been like??

 

[wdwmom2]

I haven't been owned by one personally, but one of my good friends has had several over the years. She just had to have her current one put to sleep a few weeks ago, 13 years old and had cancer. She says they make wonderful pets. They are very laid-back cough potatos. Never heard a single complaint about any of her dogs.

We lost our Golden back in April, and if I was to consider another dog, a greyhound would be on the list.

 

[dhcoffey]

We have a greyhound currently and she is wonderful. I would never hesitate to have another one in the future. Lady is now about 8 or 9. We don't know her real age because we didn't get her from a rescue but just someone in town had her and didn't want her anymore.

She is a real couch potato. You don't even know she's in the house unless she needs to go outside or is hungry and then she barks just a little. She even barks softly in the middle of the night if she has to go outside so she doesn't scare us. She's great.

They do tend to have bad teeth, our vet told us. About three weeks ago, we had to have her teeth removed. She didn't have all of them when she came to us but now she has none. She's doing great, though. Eats just like she has them all, doesn't slow her down one bit.

I hope this helps and if you have any questions, please ask!

Heather

 

[lvloopingbag]

We have friends who adopted one and she is the best dog! Rosie is very gentle and loving........It would be a great thing to do!

 

[JayhawkMomma]

Greyhounds make wonderful pets but you do need a fenced in yard. They can run really fast (duh) and can turn on a dime so they're hard to catch if they get loose.

I used to work at our (now closed) local greyhound track with the greyhounds. I've met thousands of dogs and out of those maybe one or two were "mean". And a "mean" greyhound is still a ton better than lots of other dogs.

They lay around a lot and do have some vet issues, make sure you use a vet that is familiar with greyhounds because of their very low body fat content some medicines need to be lower doses than their body size suggests.

We did have a greyhound as a pet for 10 years, she had bone cancer and had to be put down. She was the best dog I've ever had though.

 

[jmpurdy]

We had 3 greys until this past summer. Sadly we lost 2 in 2 years. We still have Winnie, our scaredy dog. She wouldn't race due to her intense fear of everything and we adopted her from our local greyhound rescue group. Greyhounds are very quiet in general and love to sleep and just be loved. They learn quickly and love routines. While fenced in yards are nice, it's not necessary if they are walked at least once a day. They must never be allowed off leash as they are sighthounds and will run after something and not be aware of their surroundings and will be lost or hit by a car.
Their teeth can be an issue. The rescue groups and foster parents help to screen dogs who are good for kids, cats, etc. They usually must be fostered if they come right off the track so they can learn what the world is like. All they know is their cage and the track. They don't know stairs, glass doors, or even carpeting, etc. Winnie still can't tolerate smooth surfaces. She thinks she will fall and slips occasionally on it. Hope this helps!

 

[Aardvarks]

When we were kids, there was a greyhound/ golden retriever cross that used to visit us three or four times a week. One her own, she used to wonder around the district visiting families that she liked.

She was called Tina and had more personality than a lot of humans. She was also one of the smartest animals I have ever seen. She used to teach us tricks!!

 

[Megand3779]

We have two greyhounds. They are both great with our kids, and the two other dogs we have as well. One is really shy and she tends to stay away from people she doesn't know, but eventually warms up, and the other loves constant attention.
They love to run around the yard, but they also enjoy going for walks as well! They are both couch potatoes too, and love to just lay around and sleep all day.

We were able to bring our daughter and the dog we had when we went to pick one out, to make sure they got along. The staff knew which ones were good with kids and other pets, told us which ones they were not sure of, and also knew which ones tried to be escape artists! Within a week of adopting our first one we were back for a second! The one we went to also made it perfectly clear that if we had any problems with getting along once we did get home we could bring them back, but we didn't need to.

 

[Jennasis]

We have a greyhound. She is quite possibly the best dog ever and will not hesitate to have another when she is gone (we had two but our other one had to be put down two years ago due to a brain tumor).

They are quiet, pleaant, couch potato type dogs. They make great apartment dogs. Don't let anyone tell you that you must have a fenced yard. You don't. You DO need to be committed to daily walks and keeping the dog on a leash at all times if you don't have a fenced yard. You cannot use tie-outs, stakes or invisible fence.

When we got our Janky, we were renting a house with no fenced yard. The adoption group screened us carefully and eventually paired us with her. We walked her 4+ times a day and would take her biking with us. Now we own a house with a fenced yard.

Greyhounds off the track are very different from other dogs. They don't know what windows, tvs, mirrors or stairs are. They often have no experience walking on linoleum. Our Greyhound was 4 1/2 when we got her and didn't learn how to walk up a flight of stairs for three years. Now she does fine.

I suggest "Retired Racing Greyhounds For Dummies" by Cynthia Somethingorother. great book that will tell you all you need to know and more~!

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[Megand3779]

Greyhounds off the track are very different from other dogs. They don't know what windows, tvs, mirrors or stairs are. They often have no experience walking on linoleum. Our Greyhound was 4 1/2 when we got her and didn't learn how to walk up a flight of stairs for three years. Now she does fine.

I forgot about that! One of ours went running up the stairs as soon as we got her home, the other it took a few days, and I had to show her how to go up and down, but now both are masters at them as well.

One more thing I remember, we were told to make sure they were fully awake before we touched them. That they slept so soundly, they would get startled and bark/snip if they were sleeping and we touched them. One of the dogs did this for awhile, she would get startled easily when sleeping, but after a few nights she was ok.
BTW she's beautiful Jennasis. Here is a pic of ours waiting to go outside.

 

[Dana49]

We have a greyhound currently and she is wonderful. I would never hesitate to have another one in the future. Lady is now about 8 or 9. We don't know her real age because we didn't get her from a rescue but just someone in town had her and didn't want her anymore.

She is a real couch potato. You don't even know she's in the house unless she needs to go outside or is hungry and then she barks just a little. She even barks softly in the middle of the night if she has to go outside so she doesn't scare us. She's great.

They do tend to have bad teeth, our vet told us. About three weeks ago, we had to have her teeth removed. She didn't have all of them when she came to us but now she has none. She's doing great, though. Eats just like she has them all, doesn't slow her down one bit.

I hope this helps and if you have any questions, please ask!

Heather

Just as an FYI:
If she was a rescued dog, she'll have a tattoo in their ear that reflects their age and birth order. The first number is the month that they were born; then there's a letter that corresponds to their birth order in the litter; and finally, the last number is the year that they were born.
Hopefully, this will help you determine your pet's age.

We owned two rescued greyhounds since 1996, but we lost both of them within the past year due to cancer. Greyhounds are very loving, they do love to run, but their teeth are a major flaw in their breeding. Outside of the dental issue, we wouldn't hesitate to own one again.

 

[Disneynutbsv]

We had one and he was wonderful. We had him for 19 short months when he passed away from cancer He was such a wonderful dog, a big couch potato. I just adored him and miss him so much....

 

[pr surfer]

My stepmom has a pair of adopted greys, and she adores them. She's never had sweeter dogs in her life.

She is making me mention that a fenced in yard and regular walks are integral to their health.

and to the OP.. I'm Weimeraner owner myself

 

[dhcoffey]

Just as an FYI:
If she was a rescued dog, she'll have a tattoo in their ear that reflects their age and birth order. The first number is the month that they were born; then there's a letter that corresponds to their birth order in the litter; and finally, the last number is the year that they were born.
Hopefully, this will help you determine your pet's age.

Thanks so much. I didn't know that. She does have a tatoo in her ear and we were told it was her racing number but could never find out anything about it. That makes sense now.

It seems greys get cancer more than other dogs. Do you know? Our grey has skin cancers that we're taking off as we can. We don't like to do it too often because of putting her to sleep to do it. So far, so good and we're keeping her healthy.

Heather

 

[mousette]

Hi,

I am so so glad to hear that you ae considering adopting a greyhound.

I've got two lovely greyhound boys.
They are adorable dogs, just wonderful.

They are both rescue dogs. I had a mutt that we lost aged just 8, it was so hard to lose her and my husband and I were devastated.
We both said no more dogs and packed up all the left over food, toys and blankets and extras after her passing.
We visited the local dog shelter to donate the stuff and a lovely white/brindle greyhound was getting ready to go for a walk wearing a raincoat emblazoned with the words "Please give me a home".
We instantly fell in love with him and 1/2 hour later he was in our car and on his way home with us to his "forever" home.

He's gorgeous, great temprament, loves children and is absolutley no bother.

We decided he needed a friend and after two years his little brother joined us.
They are both very different dogs but both so loving, great with kids and well behaved.

Greyhounds have a hard time and are often misunderstood but take my word for it, they make wonderful pets and should you decide to adopt I'm sure you won't regret it.

Good Luck,

 

[Jennasis]

Just as an FYI:
If she was a rescued dog, she'll have a tattoo in their ear that reflects their age and birth order. The first number is the month that they were born; then there's a letter that corresponds to their birth order in the litter; and finally, the last number is the year that they were born.
Hopefully, this will help you determine your pet's age.

We owned two rescued greyhounds since 1996, but we lost both of them within the past year due to cancer. Greyhounds are very loving, they do love to run, but their teeth are a major flaw in their breeding. Outside of the dental issue, we wouldn't hesitate to own one again.

My greyhound's tat is 67F. I think it's month/year/litter order.

 

[maddiemouse]

I have been working with people and their pets for over 25 years. Veterinary clinics,rescue, grooming and training. I have known many many people who have adopted these wonderful dogs. I have just one word of warning for you, I have known very few who stopped at just one Greyhound, most have so fallen in love with their first rescued Greyhound that they ended up with at least two, one guy I know has four. So if you decide to adopt a Grey, make sure you have a very long couch.

 

[Mermaid02]

I have been working with people and their pets for over 25 years. Veterinary clinics,rescue, grooming and training. I have known many many people who have adopted these wonderful dogs. I have just one word of warning for you, I have known very few who stopped at just one Greyhound, most have so fallen in love with their first rescued Greyhound that they ended up with at least two, one guy I know has four. So if you decide to adopt a Grey, make sure you have a very long couch.

We have 2 couches!!

Thanks for the replies everyone! Our yard is fenced and my dh walks Maddy every day, sometimes more than once. I really would like to get one sooner rather than later... I have a bad feeling about my dog's health... something is just telling me it won't be long. There are no signs, it's just a feeling. I would rather already have a dog when she passes..... then later on maybe get another.

 

[Jennasis]

Our grey came from Seabrook racetrack in New Hampshire. She raced for 3 years and was just a few precious months away from "retirement". We adopted her through a local Long Island rescue group called LIGHT (LI Greyhound Transfer). They only do LI adoptions but I'm sure the group you met a Petsmart will hook you up with a wonderful new addition.

We would have gotten another one after our Kimya passed on (the one we put down with the brain tumor) but our Janky (the one in the picture) just ADORES being the Queen of the household and the apple of her Daddy's (DH's) eye. She tolerates our other mutt, Mikhouse, but seriously, she was sulky and sullen from the day we brought Kimya home until she passed 1 1/2 years later. When that poor dog finally died, Janky went from moody grump to joyous Queen of the universe in two seconds flat.

Sad but true. Janky is 11 now, so we'll just wait until G od decides to call her back to him before we bring another grey home. Maddiemouse is right. It's dang near impossible to have just one.

Potato chip dogs!

Here's the whole brood before Kimya's passing:
Left to right, Janky, Kimya and Milhouse.

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That was "their" couch. DH and I had our own. It was hilarious watching all three pile on! Notice the sulky look on Janky's face to be sharing "her" couch with the other greyhound. Kimya used to "talk" to us. She make this "rooing" sound and if you imitated her, she'd get louder and funnier, like she was singing to you. She also gave wicked awesome "ear kisses."

 

[Megand3779]

On this website http://www.greyhound-data.com/earmark.htm you can enter in their tattoo info and be able to obtain information like the dogs racing name, stats if available and "family tree"- I know there is a more official name for this, but can't think of it.