greyhound review

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Average Ratings

Value for Money	9.4/10
Overall rating	10/10

86% Recommended6 out of 7 Reviews

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By Greyhoundhelper on 20th Oct 2004

Greyhoundhelper's Ratings

Value for money	10/10
Overall value	10/10
Greyhoundhelper's recommendation

Good Points

Loving, loyal, snuggly, smilers, don't like to go out for long walks in the rain, peaceful, docile, easy to train, obedient, happy to go along with what you're doing, accept you as boss and trust you totally.

Bad Points

The most sulphuric gas-passing ever!!!! If you get an ex-racer their teeth may not have been looked after, so you need to buy "Logix" an enzyme type toothpaste with no brushing- save on vet bills. Some travellers have been known to steal greyhounds.

General Comments

I am proud to be owned by 2 greyhounds and a choc lab puppy (all rescues). My first greyhound taught my second greyhound all about living with humans: stairs; walking on a lead; food times; where and when to go to toilet; and that there wasn't anything to be scared of. My 2nd had lived rough for a year having been dumped probably following an accident when racing (she was originally an Irish bred racer) before being picked up by a rescue society. As a result she was too scared to walk and needed patience and a harness at first. My 1st grey led the way a lot and gave my 2nd the confidence she needed. A couple of months later she ran freely in our fields on walks and came willingly when called. All greys have the capacity to learn and long to be loved. Their love motivates them into learning what you want from them. Once you are accepted then that's it, they will go with you anywhere no matter how different or new and scary for them.

Greyhounds come in all colours, sizes and personalities. Often greyhound charities are able to match your exact requirements with a dog they know so the chance of being mis-matched is small. They are very cheap to get from a charity and come innoculated and often chipped and tattooed. You can get their pedigree from their tattoos from whichever racing board they were registered with. Tatoos in 2 ears in green is Irish Racing Board - age can be told from the 1st letter in right ear. An English tattoo will tell you what number in the litter too. It can be fascinating to try to piece together the history of an ex-racer, as well as heartbreaking. (So many owners and no forever home until they came to you.)

If you have allergies to dogs it's worth trying a greyhound as they don't shed very much at all or smell like a normal dog. We certainly noticed the difference when the choc lab came to live with us. They don't want much exercise - they like a mad 5 minutes then a sniffy time - 20 minutes in all. Having said that, we like walking so all the dogs will go 7 miles or so over moors and forests, through streams, have been carried over ladder stiles, and met all kinds of livestock with no problems. Pubs have been fine about them in the Lake District as they are so well-behaved and lay under the table throughout. You can take a grey anywhere and they usually behave with impecable manners and grace.

Greyhounds are very tolerant of children and will back off rather than cause a scene with a rough child. They love peace and quiet so if you want a snuggly companion on your bed then this is the dog for you. I had flu for a week and in that time my girls only left my bed for food and toilets. They weren't interested in going for a walk even. This is typical of the sort of loyalty you can expect from this breed. When they love you it's forever.

Total Respect: +2