jjsmom06
Posted : 5/15/2008 11:12:22 PM
Hi Zoey,
As a long time owner of retired racing greys and a volunteer
and an adoption rep with a local rescue, let me set the record straight on a couple
things here that are often a misconception about the breed.
While born to chase small prey, many, many greys off the track
do NOT have a strong enough prey drive to have much concern at all with a small
dog or cat. I have two cats and none of
my greys have ever gone after them. We
did foster a grey for a couple nights in hopes of adopting her who wasn’t cat
tolerant, and not all are, but many do just fine.
Each individual greyhound rescue cat tests their greys to
see how they react and to determine if they are “cat tolerant”. This doesn’t mean that there is never a
chance of something happening, but that is the same as with any animal living
with another animal. It means that they
are not showing a strong reaction or prey drive. I know many, and have helped adopt out to
many folks who have small dogs and or cats and they all live in peace and
harmony and even often sleep together.
My boy JJ was thought to NOT be cat tolerant and actually at
a dog park with a previous owner, a barking JRT set him off and he ran across the
park and picked him right up, though luckily never hurt the dog. And yet he walked right into my home and never
took a second glance at my cats. No
training even needed to be done with him.
It is all based on the specific animals.
If you are truly interested in owning a grey, go to a local
adoption organization and meet some and talk to the adoption staff. No matter what they will assure that the dog
they send you home with is as good of a match as they can get for you.
I cannot recommend this breed enough.. Honestly, greys are the
best kept secret around. You will be
shocked at how little training , how loving, playful and downright goofy this
breed is. Most grey owners I know, never
go back to owning other breeds after they own a grey. It is definitely worth looking into.
Good luck to you and if you have any more questions about the
breed, please feel free to pm me. I may
not be around much in the near future to read this thread as my plate is full
with wedding planning right now, but pm me and I can then give you my email so
we can chat more about the breed and adoption process if you like.
Shelly
ETA- just saw the greytalk comment. greytalk is an outstanding forum. very knowledgeable, kind, caring and helpful people from the admin and mods all the way down. A truly great resource for you