Dog advice

[ChrisWales]

Due to work etc we haven't had a dog for donkies years (had retrievers/labs/JRT in past) so we ended up having a few cats in the meantime (still got one)
Mrs has always liked whippets but I always seem to hear a lot about sighthounds being prone to separation anxiety etc. Also slightly concerned about the prey drive as we still have a cat. We would be getting a pup and the cat is about 12.
We work at home odd days, and there will be days when a dog could come with me to work but there will be days at home.
Any experienced whippet owners care to share opinions?

[Andrew]

Don't know feck all about whippets. Me though. I'd have a black alsation in a heart beat.

Ma big pal alba

20190615_140212.jpg

[juttle]

That’s one seriously handsome beast mate!

[Ben]

All dogs suffer from separation anxiety due to being a pack animal, I wouldn’t say a particular breed suffers more than others, in my experience it’s down to the individual character of the dog. The simple solution for me is to buy two to keep each other company, a bit like kids I think it’s easier to look after two rather than one because they keep each other entertained especially when walking.

Personally I’d never get a pure breed of any type, for me cross breeds are better because generally they don’t suffer as many medical issues and are cheaper to buy and insure.

I also wouldn’t worry about a dog having a go at a pet cat so long as the cat is within the family first, as a puppy a dog will quickly learn that a cat can be savage. My friend has a whippet that sleeps curled up with his cat.

I am biased but if you want a whippet I don’t think you can beat a Bedlington Terrier X Whippet. They don’t shed, are stockier than a Whippet, much more hardy and the Terrier gives them more character.

Border Terrier X Bedlington are excellent dogs too and make a better fishing dog than a Beddy Whippet.

A common misconception with a whippet is that they need loads of exercise, two walks a day is plenty as they like nothing better than curling up and going to sleep, Bert & Ernie are no trouble at all in the house and often take themselves off to bed. I couldn’t be arsed with a dog that needs constant stimulation like a Collie, Poodle or Spaniel.

Hope that helps a bit mate

[Jason Skilton]

Its all about the training and ensuring that as the Alpha in the pack you are dominated along with all others. The dog need to be right at the bottom of the pack even below the cat.

Some breeds do suffer, from speration, but the key is introduce the concept of you being in the house and out of the house randomly for periods of time.

None of the concerns are insurmountable ;-)

[Danoutdoors]

56C4F174-4B04-44E7-AC47-AAE8B287F31A.jpeg

That’s my old dog Ace, he was 1/4 whippet 1/4 greyhound 1/4 deerhound and 1/4 bedlington, great dog though had his issues, separation anxiety, big prey drive, as he got older he chilled out loads though, loved it in front of the fire, do love a hound, bedlington whippet would be a good choice

[Huggs]

Rescue a greyhound their are tons needing homes.You can get cat friendly ones.Our first lived with two cats no problem.

Give Norfolk Greyhound Rescue a look.They have a website.

They often get lurchers in also.

[Daniel]

Don't make a fuss as you leave the house, don't say goodbye or make a big deal of it, just go.
The biggest cause of separation anxiety in dogs is people making leaving the house a big deal, it's really not.

Try and get into the habit of walking the dog as soon as you come home, they don't mind you leaving when they know there's a walk when you return!

[ChrisWales]

ok thanks, just a bit concerned about the separation anxiety thing tbh

[Huggs]

ok thanks, just a bit concerned about the separation anxiety thing tbh

Daniel is spot on in post above.

[Kev Berry]

Daniel is right, also don't make a big fuss of your dog when you come back, give it a few minutes (they might not though )

somehow my bulldog knows when Im going fishing and doesn't even get off the settee or open her eyes (but shes awake---and hoping Im going to take her ) but if I am going in the shop she knows---and shes up and jumping knowing shes coming with me.
Never had a dog with separation anxiety, if you do get one its simple to cure but takes a bit of time.
Just randomly go out the back door and walk round and come in the front door---do not make ANY fuss or pay attention to the dog when you go out or come back in, just carry on as normal. Gradually increase the time to come back in till the dog don't give a feck.

If you going to get 2 dogs, don't get 2 pups from the same litter. Its hard work cos they will just want to play silly feckers
Get an older dog first if you having a rescue, then if you get a younger dog/puppy it will be much easier training it as it will learn twice as quick.

Most lurchers greyhounds etc will leave the resident cats alone and get on with them----but can be right sods with trespassing cats. I had a lurcher who could go over a 6ft fence without touching it---there wernt many cats that trespassed twice.

[Huggs]

https://www.facebook.com/HappiestIGV/vi ... 746108641/

Yes greys/lurchers can spring

[Steve Dennington]

Don't know feck all about whippets. Me though. I'd have a black alsation in a heart beat.

Ma big pal alba

20190615_140212.jpg

Not entirely black, but here's my girl

[Andrew]

Don't know feck all about whippets. Me though. I'd have a black alsation in a heart beat.

Ma big pal alba

20190615_140212.jpg

Not entirely black, but here's my girl

Truly wonderful dogs. Alba belongs to my mate Ross who's took over harelaw. When I say she's my big pal I mean it. Part of her pack.

I'll never forget what she done one day. I came up to fishery and got the usual welcome (she goes mental when she sees me)

Another guy had his 2 dogs up and they came running at me ready to jump up (friendly) alba jumped in between them and me and stopped them dead in their tracks. Wont ever forget that.

bigalba-mq.jpg

[Steve Dennington]

Don't know feck all about whippets. Me though. I'd have a black alsation in a heart beat.

Ma big pal alba

20190615_140212.jpg

Not entirely black, but here's my girl

Truly wonderful dogs. Alba belongs to my mate Ross who's took over harelaw. When I say she's my big pal I mean it. Part of her pack.

I'll never forget what she done one day. I came up to fishery and got the usual welcome (she goes mental when she sees me)

Another guy had his 2 dogs up and they came running at me ready to jump up (friendly) alba jumped in between them and me and stopped them dead in their tracks. Wont ever forget that.

bigalba-mq.jpg

Yes, they're an unstintingly loyal breed

You'd like my girl's relatives. Three generations shown here https://www.champdogs.co.uk/dog/51179

[tigger996]

We have four Dobermans, three Bengals and a Siamese, and they all get on well. There has been some very good advise in this thread i.e Don't get two pups from the same litter, crossbreeds are healthier than pure breeds(thanks to the kennel club), and look at the rescue sites. One of our Dobies is a rescue, nearly 14 years old, some serious health problems, and was badly neglected. He is a wonderful dog and we are delighted to be able to give him a loving home for his twilight years.

[ChrisWales]

Quick update, Whippet coming home with us on Saturday :)

[Jason Skilton]

Nice Chris, a work colleague has one and its name is Enzo :-)