Thinking of adopting a greyhound

[palehorse]

I don't think I will ever get over Bitsy, but there is a void in my life right now. I don't want another schnauzer right now though, that would feel wrong..

So I have been researching greyhounds. I have 2.5 acres, a pond and it's fenced. PERFECT for a greyhound. I have been researching adopting retired greyhounds, and I have a race park near here.

Anyone out there do this? Any tips? Any adopted greyhound stories to share?

I need the input now, as I have just "cleared" (lol) the idea with the wife and am getting ready to do it.

We have a track nearby that offers adoption services. I am thinking a female, fawn color.

Ideas? Tips? Suggestions?

Thanks

[Tucker'sMom]

I have heard that retired greyhounds make some of the best companions out there. My step-father used to have a greyhound while growing up...he never had anything bad to say. I think it is absolutely wonderful what you are doing. And, I have never heard anyone say anthing bad about a greyhound, except the need to run a lot...and it sounds like you have adequate space for her. I say go for it!!!!!!
BTW...I'll never be over Tucker, but getting back on the horse that kicked you off (so to speak), in the end, seems to work out OK for me. I wish you lots of luck, let us know what you decide!!!

[palehorse]

I appreciate that. Still researching it, and it seems like I will be doing this. I like the profile of them I have been reading, friendly, intellegent, hardly shed, healthy overall, etc etc.
Oh course, like every other creature, it too will pass away. But after Bitsy, I think I can handle it..

Yeah right.. I know me.. lol... I would take it's passing just as hard... But you know ,.. when I look back on things, if I could go back in time to when I bought Bitsy, if I could see the future, and the pain, would I have changed my mind and NOT bought Bitsy? No, my life was richer for having her in it. I think Bitsy would *approve* of me helping out another living creature. So in that spirit, I will likely do this.

Thanks for the vote of support.

[Tucker'sMom]

No problem...if I could go back to when I adopted that cute little pup from the Animal Shelter, and I could see the future, I surely would have done some things differently, but I would never have decided not to adopt him. I was great while it lasted, and all our lives are richer having the pleasure to know him and love him. I think you are making a good decision and it's so nice that you are helping another dog now.

[bitterrootbullies]

Retired grey's are awesome pets and there are a huge number of rescues out there to help you choose just the right pup for your home. Some can have high prey drive so keep that in mind if you have any small furries such as cats etc.
They are mostly couch potatos though and don't really require the amount of exercise you might think.

I don't have any, but I have several friends that do and one of my friends/co-workers volunteers for grey rescue here in Montana.

One thing to keep in mind. Grey's can be prone to cancer
Personally, I think that any dog is prone to cancer. I just read a statistic that said 50% of all dogs die of cancer nowadays.
But knowing what you went through with Bitsy, its something to keep in mind.
amanda samantha sydney murphy and foster

[palehorse]

Originally Posted by bitterrootbullies

Retired grey's are awesome pets and there are a huge number of rescues out there to help you choose just the right pup for your home. Some can have high prey drive so keep that in mind if you have any small furries such as cats etc.
They are mostly couch potatos though and don't really require the amount of exercise you might think.

I don't have any, but I have several friends that do and one of my friends/co-workers volunteers for grey rescue here in Montana.

One thing to keep in mind. Grey's can be prone to cancer
Personally, I think that any dog is prone to cancer. I just read a statistic that said 50% of all dogs die of cancer nowadays.
But knowing what you went through with Bitsy, its something to keep in mind.
amanda samantha sydney murphy and foster

I noticed some sites like this:
Available Dogs

List the tendencies of the different greyhounds that are availible.

About Greyhounds

The profile above states they are overall healthy. But I think your right about cancer hitting "all dogs in general". Nearly everyone I know who has any type of dog has had a run in with cancer.

After I get back from my next camping trip I am heading to Ebro, the track there has an adoption service, and check out the "orphans"

[palehorse]

Well, I am going to a "Meet and Greet" April 14th, pretty excited about it.

Don't know if I will "actually" get one on that day, we are picky, we shopped around for 6 months before we bought Bitsy, but the process is well under way.

[mojosmama]

I had a friend who adopted 3 greyhounds. Said they are the BEST dogs ever. I will probably do the same one day.
She said that since they are track animals AND pack animals that when she goes out for the day she will muzzle them. She says their 'weakest one has to go' instinct kicks in when you (the pack leader) is gone. This wouldn't be a problem if you only had one dog.
Also, I''m sure you've read to never let them off the leash. She said that they get lost. Apparently since they are sight hounds, they do not have a strongly developed sense of smell and when they run off to chase something, they are so driven that they don't realize they are lost until it is too late. She is not the only one who has told me this....I had another aquaintance who said the same thing.
They need to have something really soft and cushy to lie on because they have nominal bodyfat and get hot spots and sores when laying on plain old carpet/grass, etc. My friend actually had a couch that was 'theirs' and she had converted her spare bedroom into their room for when she was out at work.
That is all I remember from our conversations other than how loyal and wonderful they are....oh, and they have no body odor to speak of due to the nominal body fat thing.

good luck......

[palehorse]

Originally Posted by Tucker'sMom

Good luck with that!!! My Siamese would never do it, so I didn't even try with the others, though! Hope it goes well! Is this instead of or in addition to the greyhound?

For now, it is instead of. My fence is only 4' high, and we were talking about it more, a greyhound is a "sight hound" and like to run impulsively after prey.

My neighbors have cats, rabbits and chickens. I think just "seeing" one of these creatures in the yard would cause it to charge the fence and jump it.

We considered an invisible fence too, but the speed of a greyhound negates it. He could hit the shock fence running and it would never stop him, they run 45 mph! With 2.5 acres there is enough room from him to pick up a good head of steam too.

We have not given up the idea of another dog though, I am thinking of getting a smaller dog, maybe rescue one from the shelter.

I am going to copy this reply into my thread to save me from answering the same question twice.

Also, I am still grieving over Bitsy. A cat though seems totally different, and also seems like a fun challenge.