is a greyhound ok with young children

furball

I am interested in getting a greyhound as a family pet. We live pretty rural and have a large garden. I have 3 children,14yrs 9yrs and a 3yr old. They are all used to pets as i have cats. Would you recommend a rescue or should i get a puppy. Is there any breed ie greyhound, Italian greyhound, Whippet , that is more suitable with children. I know each dog is an individual and will take this into consideration. Any advice welcome.

pboae

As a general rule greyhounds make good family pets, they are usually gentle around children. Obviously it depends on the individual dog though. But, they often *aren't* good with cats, or any other small furries. Maybe an ex-racer would be more likely to chase, I'm not sure, but it's often a very strong instinct even in show strain sighthounds.

For that reason, I would err on the side of an older dog, so you are least know for sure how strong its chase instinct is, and whether you are going to be able to train it to be cat safe. Some rescues, mainly the smaller ones, use foster homes for their dogs rather than kennels, and they are in the best position to find you a dog that has lived with cats previously.

t_r

[FONT=&quot]IMHO I don't think a greyhound rescue would be good for young family due to them being under socialised. Also don’t they prefer a quite life in their retirement?

Of course I could be totally wrong. A good rescue won't let you take a dog unless it is the right dog for your family.

[/FONT][FONT=&quot]If you go on dogpages.org there are members on there who are greyhound rescue specialists.

[/FONT]

furball

Thankyou for your replies, tr a retired greyhound is usually between 2 and 3 yrs old, sometimes younger if they won't chase. I wouldn't rehome a dog needing a quiet life, ie over 10 yrs old until my youngest was older and as you say the rescue centre will put the dogs interests first, as they should. I would think that a greyhound rescue will have been accessed(sp) and if it has been in a foster home it will be known if it is cat friendly or not.

kle87

My dog trainer always says he would never recommend any dog where young children are concerned, not even a yorkie. Its just something to think about. Ive got two rotties who are good with children although they are never left alone with them or even socialised in any depth with children. My partners spaniel has bitten numerous children and even drawn blood. Its not so much about the breed but how you train and socialise them.

Penny_Watcher

Wonderful as greyhounds are I would be careful rehoming one with cats or small children.

A good friend of mine tried rehoming a young retired greyhound last year. The dog herself was sooooo lovely and gentle, but very nervous as she'd never lived in a family home (or indoors actually as she'd been born and bred in racing kennels). By accident she managed to get hold of a neighbours cat (which just about survived) and the last straw was when she curled her lip at the family's youngest child.

There is a happy ending as the dog was rehomed again - under the supervision of the greyhound trust - with an older couple in the countryside. A very quiet, child-free and cat free environment.

If you're interested in rehoming then talk to a local rescue centre. They'll be able to give you lots of advice, and maybe even have a dog that's suitable for your home circumstances. Good Luck

zztopgirl

We have applied to the greyhound trust for a dog, and the person who did the homecheck has a very large greyhound and a 2 year old daughter. They have no issues rehoming with young children, but they check the dogs before rehoming to check suitability with children, cats, etc.

Its good news for us in a way, but we are prepared to wait as long as it takes, be it several months or whatever, until the right dog is found. The local rescue homes have a flat policy not to rehome with children.

JennyW_2

I cant comment for all greys but my grey is adored by all children she meets and loves being cuddled but as mentioned before, ANY dog can be unpredicable with children. As much as I trust both my dogs, I put them into another room when my one year old neice comes around. Not that I have nasty dogs, but children move quickly and can be noisy, wavy hands - you know what I mean - and many dogs can find this uncomfortable.

Anyback, greys do make lovely pet dogs - sleep lots and very undemanding.

yummymsmummy

furball - we are in the process of adopting a retired greyhound, and have a daughter who is coming up 2yrs old. I am an overprotective mother, who would NEVER bring a breed into the home if i doubted its suitability. The RGT are very good at finding a grey who will suit your circumstances - but at the end of the day as kle87 says, its not the breed but how the dog is trained and socialised. I know of many ex-racers living in homes with cats, small breeds of dogs, even house rabbits!

Andybez38

Greyhounds are great with kids, wouldn't recomend they are left alone in the back garden with the pet rabbit. Although they might catch the odd rabbit/ hare when walking them so a good money saving dog. Catches its own food and some for the owner too.