greyhounds ?

Brattina88

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#1
I have recently been interested in the breed... And today I spotted one three or four lots from me and I have become practically a stalker :lol-sign:
Can anyone give me some personal experience with the breed? I have only spent about 5-10mins with one at a pet store or other dog event.

About how much exercise do they need? Do they typically do okay alone while the human is at work? I am not looking for a dog in the immediate future, but in the distant, its always interesting to read and learn ;)
I love the ones that I've met, they are so calm, cool, and collected... in large groups of people or other dogs they don't seem bothered by much. Is this common for a greyhound?
I live in a trailer, and while its a big one its still a trailer. I've read that greyhounds are good apartment dogs - but I still wonder. We go on LOTS of walks. I LOVE to walk, but would that be enough for weekdays? Weekends I can rent a fenced in areas at a local sort of doggie day care facility with lots of cool stuff, pools, dig boxes, etc. What I like is the 6ft huge fenced in areas. But I love to take Maddie to all kinds of dog related events. I'm thinking about a slightly bigger dog - quiet and pretty mellow, though.

TIA
 

sprintime

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#2
The only greyhound I know is a friend who does rescue for the discarded ones from racing. But hers is a couch potato and from what she tells me all of them are the same. They don't have the stamina for long wild hikes. If you let it out in a fenced area it will run a couple of laps total and that's it for the day. She takes hers everywhere and he's very adaptable to any place, people or activity. Seems he just sleeps the time away. Loves to be petted and not in the least bit aggressive.
 

elegy

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#3
are you thinking about a retired racer?

i adore greyhounds. i will have one someday. most of the ones i know are pretty mellow and walks during the week with a chance to run on weekends would suit them fine.

you might check out this blog; NEVER SAY NEVER GREYHOUNDS as she has a ton of experience with greyhounds and is a huge advocate for them.
 

Dekka

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#4
I love the greyhounds that come out to race at the cara meets (its nothing like commercial racing.. its fun fun fun for pet sighthounds to come out and do what they were bred to do)

The only thing for me about them is they are BIG lol. I love the grace etc.. but I will stick to the smaller but rowdier whippets! If you can handle a big size they are very much couch potatoes that need to sprint every now and then.
 

Brattina88

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#6
Thanks for the links... those are great! I am thinking about a retired racer - I have a soft spot for the seniors ;) I am concerned about size - but missy (gsd) comes over and her size is nothing, to me... lol but it'll take convincing with the roommates. I think a greyhound would be a good match for my lifestyle, but that'd mean no more fostering for a while... I wonder if I could contact a grey rescue to see if I could foster to see if it is actually a good match... idk
 

MafiaPrincess

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#7
You know greyhounds are bigger than GSDs eh.. The AKC standard for GSDs tops out at 26". Male greyhounds are 28-30". The size of a dane. And we often see greyhounds at CARA racing that are over standard (and often still place well in conformation cause judges sadly think bigger is better).
 

Romy

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#8
You know greyhounds are bigger than GSDs eh.. The AKC standard for GSDs tops out at 26". Male greyhounds are 28-30". The size of a dane. And we often see greyhounds at CARA racing that are over standard (and often still place well in conformation cause judges sadly think bigger is better).
They can be. Pete, the grey we got rejected from adopting was 34", and Sergio the other candidate was 36". Both were 95-100 lbs racing weight.

On the other end of the spectrum, I've seen others (mostly females) who are 22-25 inches and quite petite.
 
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#9
Greyhounds are my favorite :) Wally was HANDS DOWN the best dog I will ever have. Nothing against my bulldogs as I adore them, but Wally was something special.

He was a big boy at nearly 31" tall, but only 72-75 pounds. I live in a 12x24 room, which I shared at one point with him, 2 other dogs, a rabbit and a cat. I definitely didn't walk him every day and it wasn't a problem. When given the opportunity to run offleash in a big fenced in area he would choose to walk the perimeter and pee on stuff instead.

He had SA, as many retired racers do, so something to definitely watch out for. Get in good with a good rescue group and I truly believe that there is a Greyhound out there for everyone with the right energy level and temperament that you're looking for. Like I said my Grey was lazy, whereas my friend's Greyhound runs 5 miles a day with her. You just have to be patient to find what you want.

But IMHO they are NOTHING like a "dog" . . . they're their own little species, almost human. Wally was amazing and I wouldn't have traded my short time with him for anything. I just wish the breed as a whole was healthier :(
 

Brattina88

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#10
Speaking of health, what are they prone to? I've read a couple books and magazines and they seem to contradict eachother...I wish cockers were a healthier breed, too. I love their size, I was concerned about there comfort, really, but I'm feeling reassured. I may contact a rescue in the next 6mos or so. idk
 
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#11
Hey, I love Greyhounds! I have some practise with them in dog shows. In Lithuania are very very few Greyhounds... :( In this year in Lithuania was born the first litter of this breed in country.
Greyhounds are friendly dogs, they are very understanding. You can talk with them- looks like they understand every your word. But they are racers inherently... So I picked Borzoi, not Greyhound. Borzoi are hunters, but now in the world many Borzois are with very weak hunting instinct, so it doesn't show in dog, ussualy. BUT, I have very talented hunter... My Borzoi female has very strong instincts. Her mother is hunting about 7 years. All of her childs are the best hunting sighthounds in Lithuania! So, I have some problems with that.
In the future I think, I will have Greyhound.
 
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#12
They are prone to genetically awful teeth (horizontal bone loss, soft enamel, etc), making dentals a requirement. They also are prone to cancers, more often than not Osteosarcoma.
 
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#13
Greyhound Health Issues

As a veterinarian and having owned greyhounds for over 25 years I feel qualified to speak on the health issues in the breed. In addition I maintain the health database for the AKC greyhound which has health information on about 900 dogs. All stats provided are on the AKC greys only.
Dental-Both the AKC and NGA dogs are reported to have dental disease. I suspect diet is a strong componant to the problem but a genetic tendency for plaque formation may be present. My dogs have always had excellant teeth yet I hand scale a few times a year at most.
Cancer-The AKC and the NGA seem to share some similar diseases yet some are significantly different. Osteosarcoma seems to be one such disease. The AKC greys have about a 2% incidence yet the NGA appear to have a much more frequent occurance. The incidence of cancer in the AKC dog is 14.1%.
On the other hand Gastric Torsion and Volvulous(GDV) is the main problem the AKC greys face with an incidence of 15.2%. GDV rarely appears in the NGA dogs.
Old age was reported as cause of death in 41% of the greys with old age being defined as starting at 10+ yrs.
Ocular problems are uncommon in the AKC greys. There are 3 reported cases of pannus and a few cataracts.
Cardiac problems were listed in 5.9% of the dogs with cardiac problems ranging from congential cardiac defects to age related valvular insuffiiciency.
Both groups appear equally sensitive to anesthetic and surgical complications.
Both groups appear to have a high incidence of orthopedic problems including many lower digit injuries ranging from toe fractures,sprains,ligament tears etc.
If anyone would like any more detailed information they are welcome to email me privately at [email protected]
 

Zoom

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#15
There is also some disease that basically eats the toes...on my Lab board there is a lady with an AKC Grey and he ended up with this. I can't remember the name, but it's not pretty.
 

Dekka

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#16
Speaking of health, what are they prone to? I've read a couple books and magazines and they seem to contradict eachother...I wish cockers were a healthier breed, too. I love their size, I was concerned about there comfort, really, but I'm feeling reassured. I may contact a rescue in the next 6mos or so. idk
I would just like to point out that cockers aren't all that bad as breeds go. Greyhounds have more issues. I would put cockers as about average for health issues (assuming we are talking well bred dogs) BYB and milled dogs of ANY breed are going to have health issues. Which sucks if you are into rescue.
 

Brattina88

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#17
:) yes, of course, you're right! sometimes we all need reminders - everytime I try to go *good* breeder route, a rescue drops in my lap and I can't resist :p. but I do have to say, that the majority of the rescues we work withare perfectly healthy! the common ones are diseases that are 100% preventable if humans would care for their dogs properly (heartworm for example) the few and far between that do have health issues always stick with you, though... in good ways and not ! ;)
 
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#18
Parents:

Mother- ALfie White Wild Swan (imported from LV)
Father- LT, LV, RU JCH, EST JW-08, BALT JUNW-2008 Jet’s Blame It On The Rain (Finland)

Puppies were born on 2009.01.01 in kennel "Trakų". There are left 3 females and 1 male- all of them show class puppies. They are almost 6 months, so they are socialized. That puppies are very good choise for person, who likes active life :)

1. Male:

2. Female:


3. Female:

4. Female:
 
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#19
I knew a girl who had a retired racer, she said hers liked to run in the yard for a few minutes and then he was done for the day. She also described him as a very large cat.
 

Zoom

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#20
We ran into a group of 4 greys at the park the other day and now my mother is just smitten with the idea of getting an ex-racer!
 

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