Thinking of maybe adopting in the future but never had a dog

[nit]

Hello!

I've browsed this forum on and off for a long time and have finally joined so that I can ask lots of questions!

For a couple of years I've entertained the thought of homing a greyhound, but we had a rescue cat who was very anxious and would never have coped with another animal in the house, never mind a great big dog!  Sadly, after being with us for 15 years, we lost our lovely boy (Jack the black cat) a couple of months ago, in not very nice circumstances.  It has been a devastating loss to our family, and I have found it especially hard, having been at home with him all the time and nursing him through recent illnesses.

It will take a while before we are ready to take in another animal, and we will be spending some time at first taking advantage of not having the commitment to a furry creature for a bit (Jack wasn't happy for us to be away for more than a few days, and we have since moved away from the lovely neighbours who he used to go to for company/treats/holiday care) - so a few carefree trips and a holiday will be welcome.

Neither my husband nor I have ever had dogs.  I have had cats all my life.  I don't even know whether having a dog will suit us, and so that is why I am here, to see whether a greyhound would work for us as a pet and be happy with us.

My husband works long hours, but I do not have any particular commitments outside of home and am around pretty much all day.  We have two children, aged 11 and 13 years, who have grown up with our neurotic (and occasionally violent!) cat, and as such they have had to be aware of giving animals their space and not teasing them.

We have a detached house with quite a big garden, but we would need to put new fencing up.  There is a restriction of 5ft for the fencing (this is on the restrictions of covenant on the house deeds), so any main fence would be limited to this height, but I could attach a less permanent trellis or something to the top if this is not high enough - any advice on this would be useful.

I think my main worry is whether I just wouldn't 'get' dog mentality, having only had cats before.  I would hate for any animal to be unhappy because it was living with people that didn't understand it.  I have read a lot about ex-racers and, when we are ready, we will make some more visits to our local RGT kennels to spend some time with different dogs.  My aunt has a retired racer (she went to the RSPCA looking for a small dog and came out with a large brindle boy!) but she lives a long way from me so I don't get to see them more than a couple of times a year.

Questions that I have at the moment:

Do greyhounds adapt to their owners' lifestyle or does it have to be the other way round?!  My concern here is whether we have to wake up when the dog does, or can we eventually come to a reasonable compromise if the dog is an early riser?  (After 5years of children that never slept through the night as toddlers I am reluctant to return to a lack of sleep!)

Do you have to have a tidy house?  We are quite messy and I would hate for a dog to get hurt by eating something it shouldn't - does everything have to be kept hidden away?

Do greyhounds need a lot of play/attention?  Our cat was only an attention seeker in the evening.  I wouldn't want a dog to get bored if I was busy during the day, but being around for general company would be lovely.

Can you train a greyhound to use one part of the garden as a toilet?  Having children playing in the garden I don't want them having to negotiate around lots of poop!

If we do feel that a greyhound would be right for us, are we better to go to our local RGT kennels, or would GG be a better way of making sure were were well matched to a hound?  I have been looking at the GG dogs looking for homes and I have fallen in love with Sam - he sounds like my perfect dog, even if he is huge, and if he is still looking for a home when the time comes ....... but I'm sure he will have been snapped up by then!

I would like to know if anyone here has had to return a greyhound or regretted getting one and why?  What are the main reasons for people having to put them back up for rehoming?

As the main carer for any animal in our home, I am very much prepared to put in the work needed to overcome teething troubles and forming good habits and routines - we had enough issues with our cat to know that we have to learn to live with them as much as they do with us!

I know this all sounds very doubtful, but I could never return an animal unless it was unhappy with us and I really want to get it right - even if that means deciding that a greyhound is not a suitable pet for us after all.  I would love to hear any advice at all.  I'm sorry it's been such a long post, but I know I have a lot to learn, and this forum is such a welcoming and friendly and informative one that I've probably taken a bit of a liberty in rambling on so long.

Thank you to anyone for taking the time to read all this!

Nit    

[futuramafan]

Hi Nit

My first dog was a retired greyhound and lots of your questions were like my own. Plus my kids are the same age as yours. So greyhounds are lazy and love fuss but do sleep a lot of the day. They love a walk but contrary to popular opinion they don't need lots of exercise. Ex racers are I think people dogs and all the ones I have known are great with kids and very gentle. My female is dog reactive and also barks at cats and squirrels but you can get that with any breed of dog and lots of greys are not reactive. A great bonus I feel is that they barely shed and are don't have that real dog smell that many breeds have. I have also noticed they tend to travel well and certainly mine gets up when when I do and that can be any time between 6am and 9am. I would also consider a lurcher as they are great family pets - I also have one of those that I got from GG (my grey was from the RGT). I have had tonnes of support from Lisa at the greyhound gap and they do help find a dog that is right for you. I also had good support from the RGT but The whole GG 'family' is just wonderful and someone always has the time to help with any queries. I haven't regretted getting my grey despite her being reactive - she is so loving and gentle and has been a companion to me during a period of illness. A really special little girl!

[nit]

Thank you, futuramafan

All the things you mention are the things that attracted me to greyhounds, In fact, I don't know that I would consider any other type of dog, at least not at the moment. I'm used to cat hair, but I'm not a fan of 'dog' smell, and that's why I could live with a greyhound. Even when I've been to the RGT kennels before there was very little odour. I don't like manic or slobbery type dogs. I'm also pretty lazy myself. Maybe what I'm really after is a cat that I can take for walks and camping holidays - and perhaps I'm kidding myself that a greyhound is as near to that as I can get!!

Cheers,

Nit

[vickyb]

Where are you? if you're near Stoke you could go along and join in with the saturday kennels walk and spend time with the dogs and walkers and get your questions answered face to face, or if there are gappers in your area you could perhaps meet up on a dog walk.
I've had various dogs over the years and love greyhounds, they're so loving and relatively easy compared to other breeds as long as you do understand about their prey drive. I'd say you need to go to a good rescue and ideally as a first dog adopt one that has been in foster with a family not direct from kennels as they've had time to adjust from life in racing kennels and see all the things they've never come across before like a washing machine and hoover!

Greyhounds are renowned for being food thieves so you would need to be careful. Most of us use baby gates especially to keep them out of the kitchen if you want while you're cooking. A lot like to collect things but often don't actually do them any harm. A foster family will be able to tell you all these things about a dog which obviously a kennels wouldn't know. Young greyhounds are livelier than older ones so it might be worth considering an older one if you want one that's not too bouncy. They tend to have short bursts of playing - very short, then need to retire to bed for a nap to recover! they are very lazy adaptable dogs. Initially they might get up earlier than you want but with time they usually fit into your routine but obviously there will be a period of adjustment on both sides.

With the garden I find that if they're walked at regular times most of them try to go on walks rather than in their garden. Having said that ours all have their preferred poo/wee spot so we know who's done what by where it is! With patience and kindness I'd say most dogs can be taught to use a particular area of the garden but there are no guarantees.
We live in a small house with 3 greys and a whippet x. Every time my friend, who has 2 staffi x labs come round she comments on how there is no dog smell and I'm not a cleaning fanatic. I find they're not smelly dogs and rarely need bathing - in fact bathing them makes ours smellier in the short term as they then seen to go into overdrive producing oil. Brushing regularly obviously helps with hairs etc but compared to other dogs they don't shed much and are pretty low maintenance.

[nit]

Hi vickyb

I'm in Sheffield. We have the RGT kennels at Wortley near to us, and I see quite a lot of greyhounds being walked around where I live - in fact there's not many of them that haven't been waylayed by me asking their owners questions and saying hello to the dogs!

Keeping food out of the way is a deeply ingrained habit anyway because of having cats. Even though they were never allowed on bench tops or tables there's only so much temptation an animal can resist. I still have barriers and gates from the toddler years. The garden will need proper security as we have squirrels and local cats passing through. I'm sure the cats will learn to stay away, but the squirrels would be fair game and a great temptation for any dog to chase after!

I think it's as much about trying to anticipate how much our day to day life will be affected, as lots of people with other breeds of dogs talk about how much hard work it is and that they wouldn't get another because they tie you down so much - although I suppose you could say that about having children. My main job will be convincing my husband that the rewards will be greater than any sacrifices.

[vickyb]

They do tie you, we have no one to look after ours so if they can't go we don't go. Ours aren't used to being left for long either although they are fine for a few hours. They come on holiday with us as I won't kennel them, it's not easy to find places that will take 4 but there are a few, lots of places will take one. Am I right in thinking that Wortley will board them if you go away (I'm in Rotherham) and I'm sure people have said that.

We've had rescue dogs now for 33 yrs and greyhounds are by far the easiest and most adaptable of all the ones we've had and I just love them, they are very addictive! I believe that a lot of people get dogs for the wrong reasons - for the kids which I don't believe you ever should, our dogs have always really been mine, never Marks, or because you have a house, kids then a dog without them considering the needs of the dog. They're not toys you can just drop and only pick up when you're ready, they need a routine and all of their needs met. Also people get the wrong dog for their lifestyle, lots of people round us get Springers and then moan that they need too much exercise and stimulation and wonder why they are destructive or difficult when they are left for hours on end. They just get seduced by looks which is the worst thing you can do and aren't prepared to put the time in to walking and training them.

Having said that I can't imagine life without at least one dog - ideally two - I loved having two  and it really isn't much more effort than one and what we 'lose' in terms of being restricted in what we do is more than outweighed by what they bring us. Unconditional love, fun, always someone to talk to - they are much better than cats for that!  and there's a lot to be said for having to go out and walk them, yes, sometimes it can be a pain but they make you go and you meet people and it's lovely watching them enjoying life, especially greyhounds who have almost all had a horrible start to their lives. (despite what the pro racing RGT may tell you)

I'm sure Lisa could find you the perfect hound for your family if you decided to contact Gap. Summer is a great time to adopt - all those great walks! 

[kamkay]

Where in Sheffield? You are welcome to come and meet me and Jet and ask all the questions you like :-) I live at Hunters Bar

[nit]

Hello kamkay

I'm just up the road from you, near the top of Millhouses/Ecclesall. It would be lovely to meet you and Jet. Perhaps if you want to let me know where and when you go for walks I could tag along sometime?

[gazer]

Hi, I think it's great that you are considering rehoming a greyhound and that you are thinking of how life will be if this happens.  Having never lived with a dog before, I'd say try to get as involved as you can with them, you have an RGT near you so that's a good start.  Many of the things you talk about are true, they are a tie, I never have holidays now, I won't kennel and there is no one suitable near me to look after my 3.  They shed, when it's in full flow, it gets everywhere, they steal, my greyhound isn't as bad as my lurcher girls, but he will take food if it's left within reach, they pee and poo where they want but as Vicki says they usually find a couple of areas that they will keep going back to in the garden, also you have your walks where they will toilet away from the house.  My boy also pees on his front legs, nice 

All of the above might sound a bit off putting.  However, I love my hounds to pieces and take any negative things in my stride.  The love and companionship out weighs all the other stuff by far.  Greyhounds and lurchers are special, unique dogs. Once you are hooked, you'll never look back.

[nit]

Thanks gazer,

It's good to be getting honest opinions and not just glowing praise for dogs. On the toileting front, my cat wasn't averse to the occasional poo in the middle of the lawn to mark his territory, and he certainly wasn't popular with the neighbours who are very particular about their flower beds! I think the main sticking point will be holidays. My husband has been itching to go further afield for a long time, whereas I am not too fussed about holidays abroad. We have no family nearby, and my dad won't have a dog in his house. It may be a possibility to ask my aunt if she would like to 'borrow' a hound for week or two, but I wouldn't count on that as a proper option.

I'm also very aware of how the attraction of walking your own dog is great when we have lovely weather like today, but the depths of winter are a very different prospect!

There is definitely lots to think about, and it may be that it never happens, but I have to make sure I've really checked it all out before deciding one way or another.

[lucyrw]

We're in Sheffield too! We're holding a walk in Graves Park as part of the Great British Greyhound Walk on 22nd June if you want to come along and meet lots of sighthounds and their owners.

My boy Jackson is the first dog I've owned as an adult, and whilst I wouldn't change him for the world he did have lots of issues that the RGT kennels didn't know about (separation anxiety) or didnt tell us about (his extreme prey drive - we were brand new to greyhounds!), I think going through a reputable rescue who really know the dogs is probably your best bet if you do decide on a grey. We eventually got Jackson a friend to keep him company, which solved his separation issues - he had got better with time and hard work/patience but was never 100% happy til we got Ginny. Its not really surprising when you consider that ex racers have always been in kennels with other dogs, never truly alone. We now foster for Gap and you won't find anywhere with a better community and more supportive people :-)

Greyhounds in general are a lot lazier than lurchers, and don't need a huge amount of exercise. I agree that getting out and about in the changing seasons is lovely. They definitely don't get that "dog" smell, although they do moult a couple of times a year. And we literally bath ours maybe twice a year, usually becuase they've rolled in something smelly.

They're definitely worth the commitment you make! Would never be without dogs in my home now.

[vickyb]

I think you're doing exactly what you should be doing - taking time to consider everything and even if you do decide that it's not the right time you may still adopt in future. Good luck whichever way you decide.

Actually some winter walks are lovely! It's the rain that greys usually hate

I do understand about the holidays. Our son worked in Rome for 2 yrs and is now wkg in Hong Kong.  I'm so fed up of people looking at me as if I'm insane when I reply to the question 'when are you going to visit' with 'no we're not because of the dogs' A lot of people just don't get it at all but I'll never kennel them other than in some sort of absolutely dire emergency as a last resort.  You could consider home boarding where people look after your dog in their own home. If you could find the right person it works really well and you could perhaps ask a friend or a dog walker to visit if you wanted a family day out and couldn't take them but I can see that's the sort of thing that can be a problem especially with teenage children when you're pulled in two directions but lots of us have managed it although it isn't always easy if you don't have someone to help out now and then -it's a bit like childcare! 

[nit]

lucyrw - What time will people be at Graves Park? I'd love to come along, but it will mean tearing my kids away from Cliffhanger at Millhouses Park, although if they know it's to see greyhounds I think they will jump at it!

There would be very few times when I would ever be leaving a dog at home alone for long, but we have always had the luxury of a cat flap so that getting to the loo was never an issue for the cat if we were ever later home than expected, and of course a large dog doesn't have that option.

I suppose that all dogs are different and that is where being matched up properly is so important. My aunt's greyhound raced until he was 5 years old, and now he only wants to be with her, and the place he is happiest is being in the back of her little car - I guess it is similar to a crate for him. The poor woman is always having to defend herself for leaving him in there, but he loves it! Obviously she can only do this when the weather is mild enough to allow it and when it's not chucking rain down through the open windows!! He is now really slowing down and hardly even wants to go out for walks anymore, but he has had a lovely few years with her.

[kamkay]

Great British Greyhound Walk will be from Graves Park Charles Ashmore Rd carpark - leaving at 10.30. There'll be time for your kids to go to Cliffhanger afterwards!! There will be loads of hounds there , not just greyhounds so you'll be able to see whippets and lurchers as well.
Send me a pm if you want to meet up before then- I walk every day , twice a day!

[nit]

Hi kamkay

Have sent a pm (hopefully, though not very tech-savvy!)