Greyt Posted October 6, 2011 Share Posted October 6, 2011 If it helps, I recently fostered my first Grey after spending almost 15 years with a Border Colliie cross. They Grey was bitten by a GSD... they have so little fur, that he needed stitches for a single bite - to protect them so that they are fragile in that sense. Mine had the most gorgeous nature though that I hope to be fostering Greys for a long time. Firstly, he had the softest fur I ever felt and he just loved getting massages after we completed our daily 1-2 hour walks, off-leash in a fenced park. He was soooo funny, playing with a ball, even with his muzzle on and playing soccer with me in the back yard. On walks, if he ever got tired, he would just lay down on the grass by himself... for 15-45 seconds before being ready to go again. He would often go and meet another dog - he loved all dogs - then go up to the owners, rub his nose against their thigh and just start walking with them receiving pats and smooches... he made so many friends in just 6 weeks and so many people would have adopted him if they could because of his looks, demeanor and wonderful personality. Even with all of the information available now, the only way of testing your likes and dislikes is to experience for yourself. But fostering is very different than ownership in that you can "try before you buy" which gives you a freedom you don't have when you make a commitment to provide a forever home. At the same time, I felt, (self imposed) extra responsibilities ie, as a steward of the dog.... I wanted him to be toilet trained (many Greys have never been a pet ... mine actually had beautiful manners from day 1 but I was prepared to train), trained on leash, trained off-leash and socialised to kids, people and other dogs before he left my care. I am happy to report that it was a truly wonderful experience and my boy gave me a lot more than I gave him .... and I get to do it all over again, starting tomorrow :-). I think that people often do not consider Greys as a choice they have but the more Greys that do get out and about into our community, so many people will fall in love with them and as a result, many more hounds will be saved from being needlessly put to sleep. No breed is for everyone and Greyhounds may not be for you. If you feel you can be committed to caring for a hound for up to 2 months, then well done and thank you for your compassion and if not, thank you for at least considering fostering a Grey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alyosha Posted October 6, 2011 Share Posted October 6, 2011 Lovely post Greyt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zaddy Posted October 6, 2011 Share Posted October 6, 2011 Thank you Greyt & Alyosha. I've decided to go ahead and see what happens with the fostering. I love my Weimaraners, and will always have one but need to broaden my horizons. Mind you, my first dog was a Beagle and she was definitely a challenge, but I still got her CDX. So if I can help a nice dog find a forever home, that will be wonderful. I hope to learn first-hand all about them and be singing their praises here very soon. I used to think Arabian horses were lunatics - now I own one and can definitely say that whilst some may be as I first perceived them, mine most definitely is not. There is good and bad in all breeds. My Arab, by many peoples standards, would be considered boring. So guess a boring Arab and Greyhound will make a greyt team? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alyosha Posted October 6, 2011 Share Posted October 6, 2011 Plus both elegant and graceful (when they're not being boring that is!!). :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greyt Posted October 9, 2011 Share Posted October 9, 2011 Thank you Greyt & Alyosha. I've decided to go ahead and see what happens with the fostering. I love my Weimaraners, and will always have one but need to broaden my horizons. Mind you, my first dog was a Beagle and she was definitely a challenge, but I still got her CDX. So if I can help a nice dog find a forever home, that will be wonderful. Thank you Zaddy, I think it is great for the breed that you are going to give it a go. If it doesn't work for you, no harm, no foul. With extremely limited experience, I would request a boy if that sort of request is possible... I think they are a bit more outwardly affectionate than the girls as a group. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dee lee Posted October 9, 2011 Share Posted October 9, 2011 Zaddy, it doesn't sound like you particularly like Greyhounds, so I'm confused as to why you want to foster them rather than another breed? There are rescue orgs for many different breeds, surely another breed might suit you better? To me, Greys sound perfect, but then I prefer more relaxed dogs. Question for the Greyhound people- as you can't let them offlead, how do you exercise them? & Do you ever rehome them to apartments? I'd love to have one at least once in my lifetime, I think they are beautiful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashsmum Posted October 9, 2011 Share Posted October 9, 2011 We have Harry, and we take him for walks. There is a property we sometimes have access to and they have a fenced paddock that we can let him run in, although after about 5 mins of racing around, he needs to rest! We find that walking for about 45 mins seems to be enough for him. We also have a large yard, and he zoomies around that when he feels like it. I can vouch for the breed being great to live with. He is a great inside dog, fairly quiet for a lot of the time, and an absolute loony for when he feels the need to move, and I loooove watching him run! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CBL Posted October 9, 2011 Share Posted October 9, 2011 Ours tend to just have a run around the house/yard but also love a walk. Patch prefers a short walk - he will literally put on the brakes and refuse to go any further if he has had enough Takes a lot of coaching and encouragement to get him moving again. He would do fine in an apartment as long as there are a selection of comfy couches. It is hilarious to watch him when he gets a little crazy though - he spins in circles (with Oscar the iggy barking to spur him on). Lilly is younger and prefers more exercise than Patch, but still not too much! Her latest effort that I am trying to put a stop to is jumping onto a couch, spinning, and then leaping off to chase one of the others - they get herded outside when that starts! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebanne Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 Question for the Greyhound people- as you can't let them offlead, how do you exercise them? & Do you ever rehome them to apartments? I'd love to have one at least once in my lifetime, I think they are beautiful. My daughter lives in a town house with her 8 yo grey and they all manage very well. Quite a few live in apartments, they do very well. I wouldn't sell a puppy to someone living in an apartment but the older dogs are fine. I take mine to the local slipping track or dog grounds for a run, or walk them around the streets for exercise. They certainly don't go nuts if they haven't been out for a few days but they do enjoy an outing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zaddy Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 Dee lee, my first experience with a Greyhound was when I was about 15 years old and had my Beagle - she was attacked by a Greyhound as we came out of the water. The owner of the Greyhound was flipped through the air & landed on her back, whilst the dog latched on to Tammy - it was a nasty wound which needed suturing. There were also trainers (and this is years ago) who used to let their Greyhounds run free on the local oval where I'd walk Tammy. On more than one occasion I'd be walking my dog & they'd arrive & yell out to get off the oval as they were about to let their dogs go and they'd rip her to shreds. So, yes, I didn't like Greyhounds at all. I've since seen & met some rather lovely ones. I never liked Arabian horses but I now own/love one. Life is all about learning and I've still got a lot to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greyt Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 Question for the Greyhound people- as you can't let them offlead, how do you exercise them? & Do you ever rehome them to apartments? I'd love to have one at least once in my lifetime, I think they are beautiful. I let my foster off lead all of the time in a dog park. He wore a muzzle the whole time and was happy to do so as muzzle = walk. I would say walking on lead for between 2-4 weeks before short stints off lead in a secure area and gradually increase from there. Mine was totally fixated on short fluffy things at first so I would only let him off when larger dogs were approaching us. Then when the meeting was over, I put him back on the lead and rinse and repeat. After 6 weeks he went from interested to mildly interested in small dogs as he learnt that he has able to play with medium and big dogs - have fun. I am sure that given a couple, or a few months, he would have totally lost interest in small dogs unless they darted here or there. To practice recall, I made a big deal of him returning, even from a very short distance and when he did something wrong, it was a loud "No!". To be sure, you have to be vigilant and realise that Greys can be super competitive = anti-social behaviors such as catching speeding dogs and nipping them on the back of the neck. Being pro-active about putting them back on lead is very important. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussielover Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 Zaddy- why get a grey when you want something more active? It doesn't sound like Greys are really suited to what you are after? There are lots of other breed specific rescues- if you're after a more active dog then you could consider Australian working dog rescue, or another rescue group that has a wider range of breeds. Obviously they are not all lazy, but you don't seem keen on a low energy dog- which many greys are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebanne Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 In Victoria, greyhounds are not allowed off lead, not even off leash dog areas. Only places they are allowed off lead is private property. People need to know their local laws. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebanne Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 Dee lee, my first experience with a Greyhound was when I was about 15 years old and had my Beagle - she was attacked by a Greyhound as we came out of the water. The owner of the Greyhound was flipped through the air & landed on her back, whilst the dog latched on to Tammy - it was a nasty wound which needed suturing. There were also trainers (and this is years ago) who used to let their Greyhounds run free on the local oval where I'd walk Tammy. On more than one occasion I'd be walking my dog & they'd arrive & yell out to get off the oval as they were about to let their dogs go and they'd rip her to shreds. So, yes, I didn't like Greyhounds at all. I've since seen & met some rather lovely ones. I never liked Arabian horses but I now own/love one. Life is all about learning and I've still got a lot to do. I suggest you find another breed, all your posts are very negative, the dogs don't need you bad mouthing them everywhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OSoSwift Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 OUr laws also state that Greys are not allowed off lead and have to be muzzled in public. We have quite a few down here and the rangers are very relaxed, some wear muzzles some don't and most of them are exercised off leash. The ones I know have a very good recall but didn't when they first got them. One was a GAP greyhound (originaly) who this person saved from the local pound and she had lots of security issues and was a stressed little girl but has come out of shell nicely and has a very good recall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OSoSwift Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 I too am very perplexed as to why you are considering them, I certainly wouldn't foster a breed that I had so much negativity towards. Maybe fostering Weims would be the way to go? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
faytiges Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 I too cant understand why you are even considering fostering or having a Greyhound. You are so negative about the breed, and I just cant think that any one dog will please you. Better to just stay away. They are just a very loving breed, love their sleeps, which I dont think you could cope with. Most are very laid back, and having had gundogs myself, are totally the opposite. Still love the Setters, but would never have anything else BUT a Greyhound now. I just cant see how you would be happy at all, and would suggest that you dont even try, just find another worthy rescue group, as you obviously do want to help, and go along that path. Think better result for you, and the dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alyosha Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 I think it's go that Zaddy is still intrigued by Greyhounds and has accepted that previous bad experiences weren't necessarily indicative of the whole breed. Being honest about those bad experiences isn't bad-mouthing, it's just being open. I've had bad experiences with dogs of certain breeds too, as have most people. If I really liked that breed I wouldn't want a past bad experience to completely put me off. I might be cautious and ask for lots of advice on having one - which seems to be what is going on here... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poppy's mum Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 I had just assumed it was a troll trying to get all the grey rescuers and fosters going I had a grey for five years. The very beautiful Tielle. A very pretty little blue girl, Rehomed to me at eight y.o. Her characteristics were: quiet, demure, aloof, patient with my little dogs, sweet tempered, undemonstratively affectionate, and, as I said, very aesthetically pleasing. She did play once a day, shaking the life out of her bed. I never saw her run fast. She had had six starts as a racer but clearly wasn't interested. Like many failed racers, she was taken to the vet aged two, to be PTS. I have just adopted a new grey from Friends of the Hound - the lovely Poppy. Quite a different dog in some ways. Not chosen for her aesthetic value but for her impeccable temperament with my rather old littlies. She is an active six year old, very affectionate, loves everyone, kids especially and greets every dog we meet like an old friend. She has mad zoomies, jumps up, levitates, spins, throws her toys around and generally enjoys an extended playtime -maybe a full ten minutes. I'll take her to obedience to channel some of her energy. She's a smart cookie. I suspect she raced reasonably successfully for a while. She has a few impressive scars. All hounds are different. Some do agility (the lovely Bethany), some are nutty clowns and some are super laidback. I believe you get out of a dog what you put in and you have to play to their strengths. I watched Poppy playing with a GSD in the fenced area of the park for a short time yesterday. When she ran, I swear, I have never seen anything so beautiful. I noticed peoples' jaws drop. That's the greyhound for you. I suspect it appeals or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussielover Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 (edited) For me, its more that the Zaddy has said that they wanted a more active dog and found that the one they met was "lazy" and only ate, toileted and slept and that they were used to a more active dog like a gundog breed. I think possibly that if you are looking for an active dog that can do a lot of activities with you and lead a really active lifestyle then maybe the average grey is not quite right for you... I don't know, perhaps I have misinterpreted Zaddy's prevoius posts I love watching greyhounds run, it is amazing, there is one that sometimes has a run on the beahc near us and it is incredible Edited October 10, 2011 by aussielover Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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