Greyhounds, anyone?

Amy · 11-04-2009, 12:30 PM

Some of you may remember me posting a while back ago asking which dogs do well with horses? Well, we ended up adopting something totally different- a retired racing greyhound... just wanted to share some pics:

We renamed her Slapstick, or Slappy. She is a 3 year-old female, and she's sweet as can be, but still pretty shy, especially around men. I'd love to hear from other people with greyhounds, or anyone else witha shy dog, and just how you got them over their shyness. Or any greyhound tips anyone has.

Thanks!

Hideaway · 11-04-2009, 12:38 PM

Slappy looks like a great choice!

I know nothing about greyhounds but I bet with time and lots of love, she'll come around.

kanoo32 · 11-04-2009, 12:53 PM

I love greyhounds...never had one but would give one a try....my Vet has one, he says that they are jumpers, they will go over any fence you have and keep on running....he has had them for a long time off the track and he says most of them are that way....he says not to let them out of your sight, they spook easily and bolt!!!

I would love to have one, she is a cutey!! Congratulations!!!

Horselady44 · 11-04-2009, 12:59 PM

Shes adorable! I love her. Have you introduced her to the horses yet? How did she do with them? Shes very cute. Congrats

Amy · 11-04-2009, 01:08 PM

Well, she's too shy to play "whisker tag" with the horses- they will lean down to touch noses with her, and she'll shy away... she likes to try to sniff my mare's butt/back legs, so she is only allowed near the horses while on a leash. I have tried to explain to her that she is going to get kicked by doing this, she just doesn't listen

. Licorice has also tried to explain this to her by turning around and giving her the pinned-ear "mare face," but hasn't offered to kick (yet). Slappy met the electric fence her first night here, so the only time she's anywhere near the horses is if I have them out. For obvious reasons, they are not safe around each other yet. If she were a more robust breed, I'd be tempted to let her learn her lesson by getting a kick, but greyhounds have very fine and fragile bones, so if the horse is out, the leash goes on the dog.

Thanks for the comments. She also completely ignores my cats, but some greyhounds have a much higher prey drive. She, thankfully, shows very little interest in chasing anything unless there is a rabbit outside.

BklynCwgrl · 11-04-2009, 01:22 PM

I have considered adopting one as well. Heard they are wonderful couch potato types. I have also heard that, being sight hounds, they will not make good trail dogs because they will chase the wildlife and might not come back. Don't know if that's true or not. I never heard what your vet said...that's interesting. The other thing I heard is that they are actually fragile and if you let them run around and they fall into a hole or something, that they can easily break their leg.

I dont' know...You'll have to let us know.

singing tree · 11-04-2009, 01:26 PM

All I know is that they are sweet dogs. I would consider one if I was looking for a pet and did not care about shedding. Will be interesting to see what she becomes with the horses. I would think they would be likely to chase wildlife as that is what they were bred to do.

horsemom4 · 11-04-2009, 01:28 PM

My husband and I have talked about adopting a greyhound for years....no we have 5 dogs so it won't be anytime soon......

Like BklnCwgrl said, they are 40 mph couch potatos.

She looks sweet....she's a lucky girl.

Amy · 11-04-2009, 01:55 PM

We have a lot of fenced state land here, the lady at the adoption place said she's probably be okay for trail riding if in a fenced area- mind you, the fenced areas of state land are usually between 1-2 square miles around here, but I figured if we were in a flat area, she's be unlikely to get too far.

She doesn't shed much at all, she just has dandruff which will go away eventually, it's from poor coat condition from the track.

Mostly she likes to go outside and lay around in the sun... I need to build her a dog house, because when I'm at work at night, she'll refuse to come in for my husband at times. They aren't supposed to be "outside" dogs because they don't tolerate extreme temps well, but I figured if she won't come in for my husband yet, we'll need some kind of shelter for her. It's fairly mild here.

Basically, as far as dogs go, she's extremely low maintenance. The only correction I need to give her is a calm "No." Her only bad habit is snacking from the trash, but I have a baby gate so she doesn't get the run of the house while I'm gone. Haven't heard her bark once, not one single time.

snwflk · 11-04-2009, 02:05 PM

NEVER EVER let um off a leash or they'll be gone.!

They do NOT make good trail partners as they will chase something.. its been DRILLED into their brains to chase that waskily wabbit!

Oh and watch the diet.. Greyhounds are use to a very very STRICT DIET and schedule. They have very sensitive diets and are usually allergic to basic dog food diets and it causes the WORST DOGGY GAS you have ever smelled! TERRIBLE! TRUST ME... Great pets - really really great pets..

As far as being shy.. You have to remember they were living in kennels when they werent runnin so they didnt get a lot of LOVIE time.. NO one to love on them. THEY WERE THERE TO MAKE MONEY. So the only people time they got was the person who fed and the person that put the muzzle and leash on for runnin practice. So take it slow dont force her to be in your space just yet.. She'll come to appreciate the love she gets and will be more willing to be with you as time comes.

She sure is pretty.. OH and that means you really shouldnt have small critters in the house either.. SHE may still have the drive - YOU just havent seen it yet.. But GOOD luck they really are WONDERFUL DOGS.. LAZY as all get out and horrible guard dogs but great snugglers on the couch which is where they will take over!

flexy · 11-04-2009, 02:21 PM

I sent my husband to get me a greyhound and he came home with a whippet but I would love to own a greyhound .There is a greyhound plant (dogfood) down the street from me. Hope that you find them a place to stay.

ChasnCans · 11-04-2009, 02:36 PM

Aww I like greyhounds, its the horse of the doggy world IMO. Well atlest the thouorghbred horse of the doggy world.

tallyho · 11-04-2009, 03:04 PM

i've know several horsey folk that have greyhounds, and they cannot say enough GOOD things about them...although, the running in enclosed area is the only option........or, on a lunge line.....
they seem to be UBER sensitive, emotionally, and get feelings hurt easily, and scare easily......but once they trust you, they seem to be very much velcro dogs........the ones i have met are friendly with strangers, but kept looking at their mistress , as if for cues on what was going to happen next....they also seemed to NEED to soak up affection from every available hand, i guess from being deprived of love for so long.....
yours is a beauty........congrats, and good luck.

Arabx · 11-04-2009, 03:13 PM

Every day my mom walks a rescue greyhound, Sudi, for a friend of hers. When they are racing, they are given steriods, so she may be coming down off of that and may loose some muscle. If she was raced, watch her left side, as they race counter clockwise and the left side has more stress put on it. Sudi has some issues in her left hip. She is the sweetest dog I've ever met though. have fun!

NorthernHorseGirl · 11-04-2009, 10:26 PM

Oh, I love stories of rescues! Good for you for getting her! I've never had one but I've also heard they are 1) couch potatoes and 2) will run off if they're not on a lead of some kind. Good luck with her!

Terry · 11-05-2009, 07:33 AM

She's a cutie! Congrats! My parents had two former racing greyhounds and they just loved them, but the dogs definitely needed a good fence, with plenty of room to run inside it. My mom said that without the fence they would just take off and keep on running.

Amy · 11-05-2009, 08:06 AM

Thanks for all the thoughts! We have 2 fenced acres, about 1/2 acre is off limits to the dog because that's where the horses are, otherwise she has run of the yard. She really seems to like walks on the leash, I don't think I'll even have to teach her to "heel" because she stays right at my side the whole time anyway.

Good tip about the steroids and the left side, thanks. I wonder if coming off steroids affects their personalities, too? Maybe she'll warm up more once it's totally out of her system.

Larwoodgal · 11-05-2009, 08:32 AM

Soooooo.... are you borrowing / dusting off your Bedouin costumes and going as a family in the town Christmas parade

?? I figure your SO could walk in a lordly manner with the sensitive aristocratic greyhound on a 'silk' leash and you, of course, in costume as well, will ride your horse decked out in Arab gear

.

Amy · 11-05-2009, 08:53 AM

LOL, I do have an Arabian gelding, but between him spooking at people, and the dog spooking at people, I don't know that it would go too well....

pasomystic · 11-05-2009, 09:50 AM

Beautiful girl--great house pet!
A large number of greyhounds are brought to Canada through rescues off the US tracks. They run the gamit of personalities. Some have high drive and some don't. One fellow I know has adopted two males in the last couple of years. Brings them to the dog park. They ignore all the other dogs, but my Rhodesian likes to run with them, as they are the only dogs faster than him. One of them growls at him a bit, because he is right behind him, and the grey is used to the running dogs falling behind really quickly, lol. Both are stranger tolerant, come for a quick pat and back to their owner. Do quite well off leash, do not check the gates, just run hard and back to their owner.

Another I knew was he** on aggressive dogs. This was several years ago on the coast. He would walk the streets with his elderly male owner, onleash, and when a large dog came out to attack, he would kill it! Quietly, quickly, and thoroughly. Yet he ignored all dogs that were not trying to attack. The towns people thought that just fine, as stray aggressive dogs were a problem. Must admit he was a calm friendly dog when I met him, but....

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11-04-2009, 12:30 PM
Amy Yearling Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Chino Valley, AZ Posts: 562	Greyhounds, anyone? Some of you may remember me posting a while back ago asking which dogs do well with horses? Well, we ended up adopting something totally different- a retired racing greyhound... just wanted to share some pics: We renamed her Slapstick, or Slappy. She is a 3 year-old female, and she's sweet as can be, but still pretty shy, especially around men. I'd love to hear from other people with greyhounds, or anyone else witha shy dog, and just how you got them over their shyness. Or any greyhound tips anyone has. Thanks!

11-04-2009, 12:38 PM
Hideaway Started Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: PA Posts: 2,627	Slappy looks like a great choice! I know nothing about greyhounds but I bet with time and lots of love, she'll come around. __________________ Well Behaved Women Rarely Make History

11-04-2009, 12:53 PM
kanoo32 Seasoned Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 4,503	I love greyhounds...never had one but would give one a try....my Vet has one, he says that they are jumpers, they will go over any fence you have and keep on running....he has had them for a long time off the track and he says most of them are that way....he says not to let them out of your sight, they spook easily and bolt!!! I would love to have one, she is a cutey!! Congratulations!!! __________________ "Animals are such agreeable friends--they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms..." --George Eliot In Loving Memory of Spikey...My Best Friend...I Miss You RIP 1988-2009

11-04-2009, 12:59 PM
Horselady44 Started Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Montana Posts: 2,401	Shes adorable! I love her. Have you introduced her to the horses yet? How did she do with them? Shes very cute. Congrats __________________ A happy horse equals a happy rider!

11-04-2009, 01:08 PM
Amy Yearling Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Chino Valley, AZ Posts: 562	Well, she's too shy to play "whisker tag" with the horses- they will lean down to touch noses with her, and she'll shy away... she likes to try to sniff my mare's butt/back legs, so she is only allowed near the horses while on a leash. I have tried to explain to her that she is going to get kicked by doing this, she just doesn't listen . Licorice has also tried to explain this to her by turning around and giving her the pinned-ear "mare face," but hasn't offered to kick (yet). Slappy met the electric fence her first night here, so the only time she's anywhere near the horses is if I have them out. For obvious reasons, they are not safe around each other yet. If she were a more robust breed, I'd be tempted to let her learn her lesson by getting a kick, but greyhounds have very fine and fragile bones, so if the horse is out, the leash goes on the dog. Thanks for the comments. She also completely ignores my cats, but some greyhounds have a much higher prey drive. She, thankfully, shows very little interest in chasing anything unless there is a rabbit outside.

11-04-2009, 01:22 PM
BklynCwgrl Started Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 2,784	I have considered adopting one as well. Heard they are wonderful couch potato types. I have also heard that, being sight hounds, they will not make good trail dogs because they will chase the wildlife and might not come back. Don't know if that's true or not. I never heard what your vet said...that's interesting. The other thing I heard is that they are actually fragile and if you let them run around and they fall into a hole or something, that they can easily break their leg. I dont' know...You'll have to let us know. __________________ Robin

11-04-2009, 01:26 PM
singing tree Long Yearling Join Date: May 2009 Location: Hartville, Ohio Posts: 1,025	All I know is that they are sweet dogs. I would consider one if I was looking for a pet and did not care about shedding. Will be interesting to see what she becomes with the horses. I would think they would be likely to chase wildlife as that is what they were bred to do.

11-04-2009, 01:28 PM
horsemom4 Yearling Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Southern Minnesota Posts: 732	My husband and I have talked about adopting a greyhound for years....no we have 5 dogs so it won't be anytime soon...... Like BklnCwgrl said, they are 40 mph couch potatos. She looks sweet....she's a lucky girl. __________________ Riding is a complicated joy. You learn something each time. It is never quite the same, and you never know it all. ~Monica Dickens

11-04-2009, 01:55 PM
Amy Yearling Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Chino Valley, AZ Posts: 562	We have a lot of fenced state land here, the lady at the adoption place said she's probably be okay for trail riding if in a fenced area- mind you, the fenced areas of state land are usually between 1-2 square miles around here, but I figured if we were in a flat area, she's be unlikely to get too far. She doesn't shed much at all, she just has dandruff which will go away eventually, it's from poor coat condition from the track. Mostly she likes to go outside and lay around in the sun... I need to build her a dog house, because when I'm at work at night, she'll refuse to come in for my husband at times. They aren't supposed to be "outside" dogs because they don't tolerate extreme temps well, but I figured if she won't come in for my husband yet, we'll need some kind of shelter for her. It's fairly mild here. Basically, as far as dogs go, she's extremely low maintenance. The only correction I need to give her is a calm "No." Her only bad habit is snacking from the trash, but I have a baby gate so she doesn't get the run of the house while I'm gone. Haven't heard her bark once, not one single time.

11-04-2009, 02:05 PM
snwflk Started Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,463	NEVER EVER let um off a leash or they'll be gone.! They do NOT make good trail partners as they will chase something.. its been DRILLED into their brains to chase that waskily wabbit! Oh and watch the diet.. Greyhounds are use to a very very STRICT DIET and schedule. They have very sensitive diets and are usually allergic to basic dog food diets and it causes the WORST DOGGY GAS you have ever smelled! TERRIBLE! TRUST ME... Great pets - really really great pets.. As far as being shy.. You have to remember they were living in kennels when they werent runnin so they didnt get a lot of LOVIE time.. NO one to love on them. THEY WERE THERE TO MAKE MONEY. So the only people time they got was the person who fed and the person that put the muzzle and leash on for runnin practice. So take it slow dont force her to be in your space just yet.. She'll come to appreciate the love she gets and will be more willing to be with you as time comes. She sure is pretty.. OH and that means you really shouldnt have small critters in the house either.. SHE may still have the drive - YOU just havent seen it yet.. But GOOD luck they really are WONDERFUL DOGS.. LAZY as all get out and horrible guard dogs but great snugglers on the couch which is where they will take over! __________________ Suzie Q

11-04-2009, 02:21 PM
flexy Yearling Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: china spring texas Posts: 696	I sent my husband to get me a greyhound and he came home with a whippet but I would love to own a greyhound .There is a greyhound plant (dogfood) down the street from me. Hope that you find them a place to stay. __________________ If wishes were horses beggars would fly

11-04-2009, 02:36 PM
ChasnCans Started Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: KS Posts: 2,012	Aww I like greyhounds, its the horse of the doggy world IMO. Well atlest the thouorghbred horse of the doggy world. __________________ In memory of baby Mayln Marie Loyd. While he may knock over a barrel he will never* break my heart

11-04-2009, 03:04 PM
tallyho Coming two Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Trappe, PA Posts: 1,975	i've know several horsey folk that have greyhounds, and they cannot say enough GOOD things about them...although, the running in enclosed area is the only option........or, on a lunge line..... they seem to be UBER sensitive, emotionally, and get feelings hurt easily, and scare easily......but once they trust you, they seem to be very much velcro dogs........the ones i have met are friendly with strangers, but kept looking at their mistress , as if for cues on what was going to happen next....they also seemed to NEED to soak up affection from every available hand, i guess from being deprived of love for so long..... yours is a beauty........congrats, and good luck.

11-04-2009, 03:13 PM
Arabx Weanling Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Hat Creek Cattle Company Posts: 278	Every day my mom walks a rescue greyhound, Sudi, for a friend of hers. When they are racing, they are given steriods, so she may be coming down off of that and may loose some muscle. If she was raced, watch her left side, as they race counter clockwise and the left side has more stress put on it. Sudi has some issues in her left hip. She is the sweetest dog I've ever met though. have fun! __________________ "I am I because my little dog knows me" - Gertrude Stein

11-04-2009, 10:26 PM
NorthernHorseGirl Yearling Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 509	Oh, I love stories of rescues! Good for you for getting her! I've never had one but I've also heard they are 1) couch potatoes and 2) will run off if they're not on a lead of some kind. Good luck with her! __________________ Some horses come into our lives and quickly go. Others stay awhile and make hoofprints on our hearts and we are never, ever the same. Anonymous Rest in peace Clint, I'll always love you and I'll miss you for the rest of my life. You were and will always be my perfect horse.

11-05-2009, 07:33 AM
Terry Yearling Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Central Illinois Posts: 973	She's a cutie! Congrats! My parents had two former racing greyhounds and they just loved them, but the dogs definitely needed a good fence, with plenty of room to run inside it. My mom said that without the fence they would just take off and keep on running. __________________ In loving memory of Roxy - 00-08. RIP my sweet girl. Proud Army Mom.

11-05-2009, 08:06 AM
Amy Yearling Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Chino Valley, AZ Posts: 562	Thanks for all the thoughts! We have 2 fenced acres, about 1/2 acre is off limits to the dog because that's where the horses are, otherwise she has run of the yard. She really seems to like walks on the leash, I don't think I'll even have to teach her to "heel" because she stays right at my side the whole time anyway. Good tip about the steroids and the left side, thanks. I wonder if coming off steroids affects their personalities, too? Maybe she'll warm up more once it's totally out of her system.

11-05-2009, 08:32 AM
Larwoodgal Halter broke Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Tweed, Ontario Posts: 70	Soooooo.... are you borrowing / dusting off your Bedouin costumes and going as a family in the town Christmas parade?? I figure your SO could walk in a lordly manner with the sensitive aristocratic greyhound on a 'silk' leash and you, of course, in costume as well, will ride your horse decked out in Arab gear .

11-05-2009, 08:53 AM
Amy Yearling Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Chino Valley, AZ Posts: 562	LOL, I do have an Arabian gelding, but between him spooking at people, and the dog spooking at people, I don't know that it would go too well....

11-05-2009, 09:50 AM
pasomystic Coming two Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Alberta Posts: 1,935	Beautiful girl--great house pet! A large number of greyhounds are brought to Canada through rescues off the US tracks. They run the gamit of personalities. Some have high drive and some don't. One fellow I know has adopted two males in the last couple of years. Brings them to the dog park. They ignore all the other dogs, but my Rhodesian likes to run with them, as they are the only dogs faster than him. One of them growls at him a bit, because he is right behind him, and the grey is used to the running dogs falling behind really quickly, lol. Both are stranger tolerant, come for a quick pat and back to their owner. Do quite well off leash, do not check the gates, just run hard and back to their owner. Another I knew was he** on aggressive dogs. This was several years ago on the coast. He would walk the streets with his elderly male owner, onleash, and when a large dog came out to attack, he would kill it! Quietly, quickly, and thoroughly. Yet he ignored all dogs that were not trying to attack. The towns people thought that just fine, as stray aggressive dogs were a problem. Must admit he was a calm friendly dog when I met him, but.... __________________ We don't see things as they are. We see things as we are.