i'm considering getting a retired greyhound as my first dog in my own home. I've heard you shouldn't get a big breed as a first, but knowing how calm they are, i didnt know if this would make a difference
Answers:
I have many friends with adopted greyhounds, and the dogs are real sweet and calm (unless a cat or rabbit runs in front of them).
All you need should be here:
http://www.adopt-a-greyhound.org/...
.
Size doesn't matter, but you got to have alot of info on the dogs. Just do alot of research on them, maybe call up breeders of that dog to ask questions. Congrats on thinking of adoption!
They aren't that big. I hear they are kind of couch potatoes. Every day people walk their adopted greyhounds by my work and they are very well behaved and friendly.
I don't know where you heard you shouldn't get a big breed as a first dog - big dogs are all I've ever had! There's thousands of people who don't like small dogs and would never have one.
If a greyhound is what you want, get one, you won't regret it! They're wonderful companions, easy going, love to please, and they definitely do not do well with harsh training methods. One thing that is good for a first time dog owner is that they're adults - you don't go through the teething and chewing stage, they're leash trained, if they've been through a foster home, they're house trained. And even if not, as adults they have full bladder control so they're very quick to house train. I've never had a problem with my own 3 or any of my fosters getting them house trained.
Go talk to a rescue group, meet some of their available dogs and you'll be going home with a new friend. (These people are also really good at helping you out with any questions you may have about feeding, training, finding a vet, anything at all you'd need to know.)
I would love to have a retired greyhound as a pet.
I heard you have to keep them in a penned yard as they get running and don't stop.
I think I like them because they are thin and fast, unlike myself.
I had a sheltie and he was so soft and cuddly.
I think you should get whatever kind of dog you like.
Go to www.greyhoundpets.org. They can give you all the information you need. I wish I could get one but I travel too much.
Retired greyhounds are known as 60 mile an hour couch potatoes! I've been lucky enough to meet many of them,every one a treat .The do tend to be VERY shy ,other than that,they're wonderful,and you'd be doing such a great thing!!!
I had a long conversation with a lady who had
two adopted greyhounds. She said after they
got the first one, they loved it so much that
they went back and got another. I asked a lot
of questions. She said "they are loveable,
quiet, easy going, and just nice to have around."
On the negative side you have to keep them on
a leash. When they see something they want
to chase they run and run and they won't come
back. You have to go looking. I can just see
me having one on the farm and when they saw
a rabbit, most likely they would run for ever.
Hogwash. Nothing wrong with a larger breed as a first dog.
I have two adopted greyhounds, and had one before that. They are wonderful house dogs. They will love you to no end for giving them a good home. But only get one, even if you are tempted to get a second one. This is for the dog's sake, not yours. Wait at least six months.
They are easy to house break (mine took only about a week), and learn very quickly how to live in a home. Remember, they never saw stairs, slippery floors, carpet, glass doors, and the like. Mine were up and down stairs the first day, because they want to be where I am. Yours will be the same.
You do need to keep them on a leash when you walk them, outside of a fenced in area. They will want to pull at first when they see cats, squirrels, birds, etc., but they learn that the leash is the boss, very quickly.
Size doesnt matter, but a retired racing greyhound can be a handful. If you are getting it from a foster group specializing in retired greyhounds, they should be able to give you all sorts of great information on how to break the dog of any undesired habits it may have and will give you advice on how to deal with training. About the only major problem with retired greyhounds, you cant have them around other smaller animals without major training and socialising. There are some casual clubs out there for owners of retired greyhounds, see if you can find one, even if its not in your area, and they should be plenty of help. Good luck with your new addition, go for it, get one and although you may have problems to start with, greyhounds make great loving pets and you wont ever regret it.
The size of the dog really doesn't matter that much. You just need to match the dog to your lifestyle. Having had much contact with a greyhound rescue group, I can tell you that they really are just big couch potatoes. They like to cuddle with you and watch tv. They do, however, need fenced yards, as they are sight hounds, not to mention very fast! If you are looking for a big calm, cuddly dog, you are thinking in the right direction. I commend you for thinking of a rescued dog-there are so many in the world who need us!
My first dog was a Grey and I have had 3. My first one, I had for 8 months and I took her to have her teeth cleaned. The procedure went great but 4 hours after the procedure she died standing up in the recovery area. My heart was shattered!!! Immediately, my daughter and husband started trying to convince me that I needed another dog. I said NO! But I decided to look at some greys that were being fostered and I fell in love with an 18 month old little girl and couldn't wait to get her home. We helped each other. She eased my pain and I gave her a loving home. See, she had been sent to a "Kill Farm" in Oklahoma but Greyhound Rescue Foundation of Tennessee got her and we have now been together for 4 1/2 years now. She will be 6 in July! I cannot imagine my life without her.
Then I decided to foster last year, well.so much for that idea. I picked up a beautiful little Brindle girl on May 19th 2006 in Knoxville. GRFT had a load of Greys coming in from Pensa Cola Fla. I brought her home with me that night and she has been with me ever since. I also love her more than I could ever imagine. They have such forgiving hearts and so much love to give. It amazes me what they have been through but still willing to give. They are also very very loyal dogs. So..yes I would want my first dog to be a Greyhound. If you seen or heard some of the horrors they have to suffer at the track, you would probably cry your eyes out. Simply put, GREYHOUNDS ARE AWESOME!!!
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