Greyhounds & farm life

[Texarkana]

I’ve read some old threads on this topic, but I’m curious if experiences have changed.

I’ve always been interested in owning a greyhound, but haven’t been in the right situation for it. Now that the situation is more conducive, I’ve started researching again.

My chief concern is prey drive. IF I were to own a greyhound, I wouldn’t let it run loose on the farm. I am not a fan of loose farm dogs in general; dog would be leashed or confined in the fenced yard when outside the house. I would like to be able to leave the dog in the fenced yard unsupervised for short periods of time (I’m talking “let the dog out for a bit while you’re cooking dinner” not “leave him out there all day in the elements”). I have an older indoor cat and a snake whom I wouldn’t want to become targets. Nor do I want to spend months and months training a dog to accept an indoor cat and hoping I can trust the dog one day. I also wouldn’t want the outdoor animals to become problematic-- overstimulating, enticing the idea of escape from yard or leash, etc.

So many people share experiences where their greyhounds are fine in households with other pets and even on the farm. Yet the literature from adoption organizations makes it sound like the issue is quite serious.

Is it a foolish idea to even consider a greyhound on the farm? I would love to hear opinions and experiences!

[Simkie]

I’ve known several Greyhounds that were great farm dogs. All off the track, iirc. Some have been higher drive than others but all were fine and none required any serious management outside of normal.

They’re neat dogs, go for it! :yes:

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[SonnysMom]

I have known greyhounds with high prey drive and others no prey drive. Work with one of the rescues and let them know your concerns. They probably have fosters that have cats and let you know that a particular dog is good with cats. I have seen ones that are listed as fine with cats and ones listed as no cats.

[jen-s]

I had a 10 day long dog sitting gig this summer for a house with 6 greyhounds. I was dreading it because the majority of my large group dog sitting gigs haven’t gone well. But holy jeebus was I wrong. I FELL IN LOVE with the greyhounds basically from the very first instance. They were so very well behaved (all purpose bred/none off-the-track), so sweet, so snuggly, so utterly perfect. Ages were 1-10+. The older dogs did have some scarring which can be common as their skin is pretty delicate and tears easily. A couple had broken tails, but they still wagged like crazy. One was missing a toe because rehab after breaking it was easier for an amputation than to try to splint/cast/immobilize. But seriously, I could sit in the recliner, eat my dinner, and no one even begged for food. They live with 3 cats and were very cat safe. I’ve since joined several local groups for GH rescue/placement and will seriously consider one for my next dog. I also made their owner pinky swear that anytime she needed any kind of help, she’d reach out immediately because I couldn’t wait to come back for more GH fun. Full disclosure–my vet keeps telling me that they are a poor choice for my life. I acknowledge her concerns (off-leash is tricky, skin is delicate, etc.), but if the right dog comes along at the right time, well…

[S1969]

The ones I have known have been extremely laid back and great companions to other dogs and I believe at least one cat (but can’t remember 100% on that.) I think the main issue with them is if they are not fenced; so it sounds like since you are happy to work with a fence it might be a good match. One friend had several in a row and is now without a greyhound for the first time in a long time. They were all really great dogs. I say go for it!

[Texarkana]

@LuvRedHeads Oh wow, your Galgo is precious! I had never even heard of them.

I really appreciate the feedback from everyone. You guys are the worst enablers. :D,

But this is a somewhat dumb question: why are the rescues so “gloom and doom” about prey drives in greyhounds? Every.single.person. I ask with firsthand experience has nothing but positive to share. But my life seems to follow Murphy’s Law, so just when I’m convinced to pursue this seriously, I re-read information out there and it causes me trepidation. I really want to add a dog to the household. I think a greyhound would be highly compatible with our lifestyle. But the safety of the cat is also the #1 priority. Hmm…

[Bluey]

As long as you are very careful to manage and train them so they maybe won’t run off when distracted, they are wonderful dogs.
Most just are not reliable off leash dogs.

We had a neighbor several miles South of us that had some and we were always finding one of them lost, they didn’t seem to be able to find their way back home.
Everyone here knew if a greyhound, take him back to him, was one that escaped.

There are also whippets and italian greyhounds, that are similar but smaller, although some of the smaller female greyhounds can be whippet sized.

The same warnings apply to them as the sighthounds they are, their recall tends to be questionable when they focus on other.
Don’t get complacient about managing them so they won’t have a chance to wander off.

[S1969]

@Texarkana

@LuvRedHeads Oh wow, your Galgo is precious! I had never even heard of them.

I really appreciate the feedback from everyone. You guys are the worst enablers. :D,

But this is a somewhat dumb question: why are the rescues so “gloom and doom” about prey drives in greyhounds? Every.single.person. I ask with firsthand experience has nothing but positive to share. But my life seems to follow Murphy’s Law, so just when I’m convinced to pursue this seriously, I re-read information out there and it causes me trepidation. I really want to add a dog to the household. I think a greyhound would be highly compatible with our lifestyle. But the safety of the cat is also the #1 priority. Hmm…

Probably because some of them ended up being returned after they killed the family cat. It only takes one or two really angry families for a rescue to change the way they vet new homes. Better safe than sorry.

We do it in my breed as well. I know a lot of people that do not exercise their dogs enough and they don’t destroy the house. But it only takes once if a dog rips up your entire living room. Most breeders are doom and gloom about the exercise needs - probably because they’ve seen (or heard of) an entire room destroyed.

[Bluey]

If someone has a greyhound, have it tested and if clean, offer it to your vet as a blood donor.
They are the best for that.
That is what our vet has as pets and what he uses his for.

Their blood has saved many dog’s lives:

https://www.greyhoundhealthinitiative.org/blood-bank/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3816276/

[chestnutmarebeware]

A former next-door neighbor was very active in a PA greyhound rescue and always had a few lying around the house (their favorite job after becoming a house dog :lol: ). She actually bought a second couch to accommodate the dogs because they were hogging every chair in the house. Sweetest, most laid-back dogs ever. Do it, do it, do it! How’s that for enabling?

It’s only one example, but that rescue absolutely tested every dog for cat tolerance, and were listed as suitable/not suitable for living with other small animals.

[ayrabz]

contacted my friend who runs Greyt Hearts Service Dogs Inc. -www.greythearts.org she said to pass on her email as she can assist with connections to greyhound groups in your area too. greythearts@gmail.com.

[LuvRedHeads]

@Texarkana

I would agree with what many above have said. Many greyhounds (and galgos) are tested to determine if they are cat safe/small animal safe, and many can live companionably and safely with small creatures. Most reputable rescues do cat test and can tell you which individuals would be suitable for your situation. Many can live companionably with an indoor cat, but often with outdoor small creatures – all bets are off.

A larger concern is off-leash safety. The greyhound (and galgo) are bred to be independent hunters. They’re not bred for obedience, they’re extremely fast, and can see clearly up to a mile (or so I have read). I’ve had my dog for 6+ years and I don’t trust him off-leash - EVER. He doesn’t have a recall, and isn’t sensible enough to look out for his own safety. And his speed is blinding. But he is perfectly happy to walk on a leash, I have trained him to jog next to a bicycle, and we visit a fenced in ball-field for his short spurts of runs.

Most greyhounds/galgos are extremely sweet, good natured animals. They’re called 40 mph couch potatoes for a reason. A short sprint around a fenced in backyard or a daily leash walk is all that is required to meet most energy needs. They’re more like cats than dogs in some ways. They greet guests politely, no jumping, licking or barking. They express affection through leaning, which I think is adorable. Like @chestnutmarebeware said, they’re the sweetest, most laid back dogs. Their short coats are easily maintained and they’re a “clean” dog. I very rarely feel the need to vacuum

One serious health concern to consider, American Greyhounds have a very high incidence of Osteosarcoma, and many dogs lives are sadly cut too short from this terrible disease. They also have different requirements for anesthesia and other medicines, so you would want to have a greyhound-savy vet.

I can’t say enough good things about having a greyhound as a pet, so feel free to ask me any questions you might have. Like I said, I am doubtful I would ever own another breed after having my galgo boy.

[jen-s]

@LuvRedHeads

@TexarkanaThey’re more like cats than dogs in some ways. They greet guests politely, no jumping, licking or barking. They express affection through leaning, which I think is adorable.

Bolding for emphasis. If you aren’t a cat person, then GHs might not be the right fit. If you are a cat person, then I think there’s an instant connection. And they also are champion pillow and blanket thieves.

[Texarkana]

DH and I are totally cat people. That is both part of the appeal of a greyhound and the chief reason for hesitation. While I’m an animal lover through and through, growing up, I had much beloved yet annoyingly high energy dogs. I’m ready for something a little more relaxed.

@ayrabz Thank you for the contact info! Once we’re settled from the move I will have to reach out!

In the meantime, I just added “Retired Racing Greyhounds for Dummies” to my Amazon cart…

[Foxtrot_s]

We have had two off-track greys…beautiful dogs. One of them in particular was very clingy and ‘my’ dog. I’d walk her off leash on the trails (not saying you should do so) and she’d keep very close. Sometimes I would hide behind a tree and when she could not hear the crunch, crunch, crunch of my footsteps, she’d come looking for me. The other one - not so much. The one dog had virtually no prey drive and was safe with cats, the other one also did not chase randomly. We of course had a very dog safe acreage and every morning they would get the zoomies and run circles for a bit - then nap time all day. We loved these calm, affectionate dogs with so much to give a family. Quiet, not smelly, gentle.

Of course - OP - you know on COTH we are enablers, but seriously, they would make great farm dogs under your situation. I have known of a ranch Greyhound who was kept outside and this was very wrong as they are thin skinned and cannot take all weathers.

I bought Greyhounds for Dummies - but found it was a bit over the top with cautions. They are just dogs and fit into the family like any other dog. (Your vet has to understand them for medications, etc.)

[Pep_n_Ann]

I have been around 1 greyhound, he was not off the track though. That dog was not safe around small things. His prey drive was off the chart. Chickens, small critters, cats, ect. they were all fair game to him. He was awesome with people and had no other bad habits.

However, I’m not sure how much was his temperament, and how much was trained into him. His owner encouraged the behavior

[Trakehner]

I’ve been at one barn with a pair of greyhounds…one had a huge prey drive…he loved to chase and pull the squeeker out an anything small that ran from him…the girl, she couldn’t care. I sadly watched him run into a fence while chasing a cat and he broke his neck…I’d never seen anything like that. Lovely soft dogs…if you live in a warm area and don’t have cats/chickens “lurchers” are a lot of fun.

[Texarkana]

@Foxtrot’s It’s helpful to hear you found the book over the top as a greyhound owner so it doesn’t totally scare me off!

I truly appreciate all the feedback from everyone!

[Simkie]

@Texarkana

But this is a somewhat dumb question: why are the rescues so “gloom and doom” about prey drives in greyhounds?

Just guessing here, but they might be writing to the “lowest common denominator.” Responsible pet owners that are also effective horse trainers aren’t that, by a long shot. You’ve got a whole lotta skills that your run of the mill “ooooh, let’s SAVE a greyhound!!” person doesn’t have, and you know to ask the questions about cats and running and obedience and really consider if they’re a good dog for your situation and lifestyle. By being doom and gloom, the rescues can weed out the people who are TRULY unsuited (hopefully) and those who might be a better fit will (hopefully) get in touch to ask further questions and show that they’ve done the research.

[Texarkana]

I never purchased “Retired Racing Greyhounds for Dummies” because the local used bookstore had a copy of “Adopting the Racing Greyhound” on hand. I’m about 1/3 of the way through it and no surprises so far that haven’t already come up in my internet research.

I need to get the DH out to an event, though. I have brought up the greyhound thing over the years and he’s always opposed. He thinks they are ugly. :rolleyes: His poppop bred and raised working/hunting labs, so he’s always been of the “we’re getting a lab or we’re not getting a dog” mindset purely out of nostalgia. Thing is, he’s never actually owned a dog and is oblivious to the fact that a greyhound suits our lifestyle far better than most other breeds…