Greyhounds and compatibl dog breeds

lostinrates

I'm a proud greyhound owner, although I've had her from a puppy, she's not a rescue...lucky her. She is a wonderful dog and good but not great with our chickens, horses, cats and my family's other dogs. She is great when I take her out with me alone, but we might be moving out of the family home (thats me, DH, the chickens the cats and the horses...leaving my parents and the other dogs here) and I think living without another dog she would be lonely when I am busy or out without them. Befor she came along, as a l ovley surprise we had been going to get a Bedlington terrier. I love sighthounds though, and hanker for a whippet or a saluki. Although I'd love an Italian greyhound I just know with our other animals life would be too rough and tumble to have one safely. I'd also be very happy to take a rescue greyhound, but I fear my girl might be too much of a hooligan for somthing wanting a quiet retirement:o

But, and this is to be a conversation starter with DH to perhaps broaden our horizons, I wonder what other breeds of dogs other greyhound owners have had great success with keeping along side their greyhounds? I thought some ideas and opinions away from our very biased family might be interesting and insightful. For example, I walk a group of gun dogs with my girl evey night (setters) and while they play happily with her they ofter don't quite get her:rolleyes: .

Tarry

With our greyhound Suzie, we have a GSD x Lurcher and they get on very well (I've got some crackers of photos to upload later). They are "similar" size which I think helps. Suzie and our PJ are really good friends and get on great, and have a fantastic bond. They walk so well together etc.

user55

My 2 greyhounds are very good friends with a black lab.

Lots of rescue hounds aren't "old", one of mine is 5, the other only just turned 2, and a total livewire! So if it's a greyhound you'd want, I bet you'd find one that would fit in beautifully.

Greyhound Gap fosters their dogs before putting them up for rehoming so they can fully assess their characters, and ensure a good match.

lostinrates

I thought most 'retired' gryhounds were older! Thanks user55. I still wondr if a dog used to the discipline of kennal lif might find mine who thinks discipline is a game, too much, but crtainl mrits thinking about:)


any other suggstions?

foreign_correspondent

sighthounds tend to really love a run about with other sighthounds - so maybe greyhounds, lurchers, salukis etc - ther is an online forum called sighthoundsonline which may be useful to explore!

Also any good greyhound rescue will let your dog meet dogs there, to see how they get on - they also sometimes get very young dogs who do not 'make the grade' as racers - these rescues do a great job, as all too often the alternative is them being shot

ETA - my mums sighthoundy type dog gets along well with my little crossbreed (Collie x corgi possibly!) but the little dog is very definitely the boss!! lol

lostinrates

Thanks foreign correspondant

moomin5

You don't often get greyhound pups up for adoption, but there are usually some 12mths to 2yrs that didn't make the grade and greys usually have retired from racing life by 5yrs (3-4yrs most common) so are not really old. I got my pair when they were 20 months, they get on with most breeds we meet. They like to play, but in typical greyhound style spend much of the day sleeping. My boys love the company of other greyhounds, but they grew up with them so is probably different.

A lot of owners that have adopted a greyhound have another breed of dog at home, my friend has JR's & a westie with her greyhounds. I think you just need to find a good match of personalities & energy levels and breed that will also suit your lifestyle. I'd probably avoid a dog that likes to play rough due to the greys thin skin/lack of fur.

lostinrates

Its our grey that starts the rough play with the other (bigger) dogs that blong to my parents! and this thing about sleeping.... I hope it starts soon! Our woldhounds sleep all the time, the grey hound really is too nosy to sleep when something might b happening.

user55

There's some very young dogs needing homes at Greyhound Gap as we speak.

Tarry

Some photos of our GSD x Lurcher and Greyhound cuddled up:

foreign_correspondent

lovely dogs! they greyhound looks like the cat who has got the cream! lol
Luckily his pal does not sem to mind beng a cushon.

I saw this article yesterday - a sad end for dogs which no doubt would love to be lolling around on a settee in their retirement
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article5063056.ece

Although I would hope they meet their end speedily in this way (even if its not how we would chose for our dogs to be pts I do understand it is swift) it is a shame these lovely thoroughbred dogs are not rehomed.