Hello all

Just considering getting my now lone dog a companion in the future.

My 3yr old Flatcoat boy is very outgoing and friendly with all, we have many friends where we walk and a favourite of ours is a little whippet boy, they run and chase for ages.  Ive always liked whippets and greyhounds as they seem to be very gentle and kind and non agressive.
I think I would prefer a whippet purely for size but all week ive been looking at the greyhound rescue sites and have cried many tears, Im just wondering what apart from the size are the differences between whippets and grehounds ?

My main requirement is a nice natured non agressive non bossy companion for my lovely boy, Im thinking a neutered bitch may be best.

Opinions please

Many Thanks

Beth

You can have a small greyhound...we have two greyhounds in our rescue at the moment and they are HUGE..but having said that we have also had quite petite ones....we had them listed as whippets till we found the ear tattoos and realized they were proper greyhounds....I would rather guess a whippet sized greyhound may be a bit sturdier. Any whippets we have had in were quite delicate in body ...:-)

I dont have either, but I can tell you I would love to have one of each! we have salukis so from the sight hound family,we support greyhound rescue and I know there are so many that need homes,they seem to have a lovely nature,just so gentle,I recently met a couple who rescued a grey,who was kicked as pup who had his front leg amputated,hes 14 months old now and runs on three legs,the happiest dog despite his past.
The other people I walk with who have rescue greys had to work hard to bring up thier confidence,but now they all are happy and settled.
It seems to me that the sight hound family are really easy to live with around the house,Just have to be a bit careful when out as the chase is all that matters.
I have been  to the lure course days and to see the whippets run is fantastic.
One of each?
Ashx

My sister has 4 ex racing rescue greyhounds and they are gentle, quiet and very loving.  Two can be let off and play with other dogs the other two would chase anything small.  Most greyhound rescues test them for suitability with cats and small dogs.  They love their home comforts and laze around the house, very relaxing characters. There are so many out there needing loving homes, you should be able to get a small bitch, probably spayed already. Hope you choose one!

My daughter has a whippet.  The breeder she went to 5 years ago had 2 litters, all boys, 11 pups in all!!  Of all of them, this one pup chose her.  He didn't take his eyes off her from the moment she entered the room.  He was initially brought up with a papillon puppy and several cats but is now an only dog.  (I moved out taking the pap and cats with me).  The first couple of years he loved to run.  He would just run and run, in huge circles.  Then he seemed to lose interest in running.  He got on with all the other dogs he met, no problem.  He's not delicate but he does feel the cold terribly and no way will he go outside if it's raining - only when he really can't hold on any longer.  Then he just pops outside the back door and is back in again before you know it.  He's very tall for a whippet, possibly just topping the maximum size.  My daughter says that having had one whippet she'd always go for another one, although possibly an Italian Greyhound next time as the whippet takes up so much room on the bed. (lol)

Thanks for your replies, you are all saying what I thought .  Do I take it whippets and greyhounds are very similar if not the same in temperament and traits??
My only reservations for either is that they may run off and not come back when out and about, however like I say we walk in acres of safe land each morning so no way can they get on a road etc.... also the thought of a Greyhound mistaking a small dog for a rabbit and grabbing it etc..worries me.
However the lady with the lovely whippet we walk with says he doesnt bother with little dogs at all, he is really good, although he runs round at far range doesnt go far and comes to call, this is why Im wondering if Whippets are a bit easier than greyhounds?  or would you say it just differs from dog to dog

Looking on the net ive not been able to find any whippet rescue websites they are all greyhound which makes me think its the Greyhounds who really need a home, I also noticed quite a few had leg amputations so upsetting, nothing to say why this was

Im gathering my facts and still keen in fact we're meeting and walking with Whippet boy in the morning

I am a new Greyhound owner.  I got my boy nearly 2 weeks ago from greyhound rescue and I must say he has really coverted me and I think they will always be my dog of the future.
I've owned many different breeds, large and small but he really is so easy and has settled in like he has been here forever with my other dog.
My other dog is very fear aggresive to other dogs but has taken to him like he is a long lost friend, because he doesn't pester her.
I am lucky in that I have the use of a 4.5 acre field thats fully fenced for my dogs to exercise off lead in and I take them there every day, so he was able to go offlead from day 1.
However when the first heavy snow came I left him behind as he didn't seem keen on it and he happily snoozed the day away.
He has been very clean in the house and not had any accidents and I just couldn't wish for a more calm, easy, affectionate, happy boy.

I've got one GH in rescue at present, a beautiful laid back blue bitch :). And I've got lurchers myself ;).