Rescue greyhound and puppies

[missd3bbie]

Hi,

I'm doing a lot of research into whether a greyhound is right for me and my partner at the moment. In 3-5 years time we would like to get a Labrador puppy too, would a greyhound generally get along with a puppy, or would it be a bad idea?

Thanks in advance :-)

[kamkay]

Welcome to Gap. No advice really as I don't do puppies-too much like hard work! Thoroughly recommend greyhounds, though

[sharonhigh45]

Welcome to the Gap from here too, I would guess it depends on how old the greyhound is when you are thinking of getting a puppy and whether they are male or female!
I guess other Gappers might have more advice for you as we are a friendly and helpful lot,hope you get some answers.
Shazx

[samburns]

Some greyhounds would tolerate a pup, some most definitely would not.


I think though you would need to think very carefully about the different requirements of a greyhound and a pup generally (and specifically of such an active breed as a lab).


Greys, even from a young age, need very little physical exercise, very little mental stimulation and want to sleep for about 22 hours out of 24.  A lab pup is the exact opposite!  My greyhounds would get VERY grumpy if they had to deal with being constantly disturbed and harassed.  How would you manage such totally different needs? 

[sharonhigh45]

My thoughts exactly Sam!

[gazer]

I agree with Sam, a puppy wouldn't go down well here

Greyhounds like their rest, some like their own space too, a puppy clambering all over may not go down too well.

Excuse me for saying but if you would like a greyhound, I can't see how you can look that far ahead and say you are going to get a labrador puppy.  They are such different breeds, also for me personally, having had all my greyhounds and lurchers from rescue I would never consider a puppy unless it also had been rescued in the first place.  There are just too many dogs out there in rescues and pounds.  No offence intended, I just can't get my head round your way of thinking.

[vickyb]

I'd agree with all of the above but wonder if you're thinking that a chilled out greyhound would fit your lifestyle now but then if you have a family you'd like an Andrex puppy? If so then I really don't think that's something that would be fair on a greyhound which would be used to a peaceful life and a puppy, especially a lively lab would be too much for a lot of greys who would be in or heading into their older years by then.

[missd3bbie]

Thanks for the honest answers. Vickyanne, you're right in that a greyhound would really suit me now, but when I start a family I'd like a second dog that has more energy for an extra or longer walk a day. Lab, Springer or a cross is what I had in mind, as they're good with kids too.

Possibly my decision then is whether to hold out for a few years (although I've wanted a dog since I was little and have just bought a house), or after more research and thought I rescue a greyhound now. I've been walking with a local rescue every week to get to know the greys there. I want to make sure we make the right decision.

[laura2001]

Just to put my 2 penny's worth.... We have a greyhound, English Pointer and a young labxcollie, who we have had as a pup, and they all get on fine. We did set boundaries (as did Fern!) with Brodie our pup, to ensure he knew to leave her alone when she was in her bed/had enough of playtime, and other than a few tellings off in the first few weeks, all has been harmonious in our household.

Fern our grey, although now 11, is still quite active, and exercising the 3 of them hasn't been a problem. We vary the length of walks daily, to ensure Fern doesn't get too tired now she's older (she never has enough on walks, but now starts to get stiff if she has too many long walks in a row).

But, and this is a big but, I do think you need to think over your reasonings for both breeds. It is also about choosing the right dog for your home situation. If you put the work into training the lab, they can be well rounded, good mannered dogs - unfortunately most people who encounter labs tend to meet the untrained, hardly walked, hyperactive dogs, which to be fair most dogs struggle to get on with.

[samburns]

Sept 30, 2014 13:52:35 GMT -5 missd3bbie said:

Thanks for the honest answers. Vickyanne, you're right in that a greyhound would really suit me now, but when I start a family I'd like a second dog that has more energy for an extra or longer walk a day. Lab, Springer or a cross is what I had in mind, as they're good with kids too.

Possibly my decision then is whether to hold out for a few years (although I've wanted a dog since I was little and have just bought a house), or after more research and thought I rescue a greyhound now. I've been walking with a local rescue every week to get to know the greys there. I want to make sure we make the right decision.

Its great that you are helping out with a local rescue   I did the same before we had a greyhound - we both loved dogs but didn't think we would be able to home one as we were both working full time (and had cats) but then we fell in love with a slightly older boy and jiggled our work life a little and brought him home.  For some reason that I forget now I had thought that I would quite like a Dobermann when our life permitted - it never happened, once we had had a greyhound we fell hook, line and sinker for the breed and five greyhounds later I don't hanker after any other breed of dog  

Three to five years is quite a long time....especially in dog years, if you see what I mean.  I think there are lots of options you could consider.....

There are lots and lots of 'older' greyhounds in rescue...7 years and upwards, desperate for a home quite often as an only dog (that's quite often why they get 'overlooked' ) - given that a greyhound's life expectancy is 12-13, you could give a home to an older one who may not be around when your circumstances change that you may want a different breed in your life.

Lots and lots of rescues are crying out for foster homes (again, especially those that only want one dog, these are more difficult to place).  Fosters can stay for weeks, months or sometimes years - something to consider as more temporary.

If you took on a younger greyhound now you could put in the time to socialise it with young dogs, smaller breeds etc so that if you did home a pup later on then your grey would not be shellshocked!

Or, maybe a lurcher would suit your home better - that depends very much on your current lifestyle as they tend not to be able to be left for as long as greyhounds and need more exercise and play, but long-term may be a better companion for a higher-energy pup in the future.


I hate to think of a 'good home' as being dogless

[Cath]

We "accidentally" got a 6 week old pup when our Greys were about 5 years old (a transport run that went no-where). They were definitely not impressed, especially as the pup used Bob as a trampoline when Bob was sleeping. Fortunately we also have a lurcher who mothered the pup and played with him. 3 years later Bob still doesn't like Benj, just tolerates him. Benj on the other hand wold love to be Bob's best frind  

[pgibb]

Just wanted to add I got a rescue greyhound 8 weeks ago + I have a 3 year old daughter. We thought about getting a puppy prob a spaniel but decided a greyhound would be better as I was told how chilled they are + I'm so glad we did. She's great with our daughter + she can have all her toys on the floor playing + Lily (my greyhound) just takes herself off for a sleep.
My daughter was ill the other day so I had to wait a bit longer before I could get Lily out for a walk + she just slept on the sofa quite happy until then.
We're quite an active family + since we've had lily been on long walks + we've had a night away in our caravan + she's managed fine. She loves her walks + normally has 3-4 walks a day. Hope this helps.x

[gazer]

Oct 1, 2014 1:55:21 GMT -5 pgibb said:

Just wanted to add I got a rescue greyhound 8 weeks ago + I have a 3 year old daughter. We thought about getting a puppy prob a spaniel but decided a greyhound would be better as I was told how chilled they are + I'm so glad we did. She's great with our daughter + she can have all her toys on the floor playing + Lily (my greyhound) just takes herself off for a sleep.
My daughter was ill the other day so I had to wait a bit longer before I could get Lily out for a walk + she just slept on the sofa quite happy until then.
We're quite an active family + since we've had lily been on long walks + we've had a night away in our caravan + she's managed fine. She loves her walks + normally has 3-4 walks a day. Hope this helps.x

Lovely to read how well Lily is settling in with your family