[LauraT]

Greyhounds and Italian Greyhounds Together, Issues to Consider

If you are considering owning both breeds, Italian Greyhound as well as the Greyhound, there are issues to consider for safety's sake.

Greyhounds in the article will be referred to as such and Italian Greyhounds as IGs.

Written by Michele Lewis

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Barbara Wicklund, of Greyhound Friends of New Jersey Rescue, states, "It is not uncommon for the uninitiated to think that the Greyhound simply is a larger version of the IG. This clearly is not the case. The Greyhound is a member of the hound family, bred for centuries to hunt by using their keen eyesight and their speed to spot prey, run it down and kill it. This is their original function and it remains ingrained. You cannot train instinct out of an animal."

Mary Frankio of both Greyhound Pets of America Rescue as well as Italian Greyhound Rescue states, " It should be noted that Greyhounds trained in the southern and western United States are sometimes trained on "live prey." Greyhounds trained with this process should not be placed in homes with IGs at all. Also Spanish Greyhounds (such as from the Galapagos) are 99% of the time trained on "live prey" and therefore should not be placed in homes with IGs."

"Greyhounds who have had long careers may have a higher prey drive. The males are neutered after their careers have ended once they are in the Greyhound rescue program. This can mean that they are neutered later in life at 5 to 7+ years of age."

Mary Frankio further states that, "Only large, tall whippet-size IGs should be considered for a household with a Greyhound." A large IG is defined as tall, oversized for Italian Greyhound breed standard, nearing 20 solid muscular pounds or heavier. Mary further states, "Average-sized and small IGs can spur a Greyhound's prey drive as they are faster, make quick movements, and tend to fall beneath the Greyhound's normal vision, just as a prey animal would. "

Importantly, "owners who wish to lure course their Greyhounds should not adopt/purchase an IG."

Barbara Wicklund explains that "During my 18 years of greyhound involvement, we have had many sad tales of injuries or worse to small animals, often by accident rather than intent. A Greyhound is too big and an IG too small and frail to romp together, no matter how much fun they seem to be having. Also, we never can predict what will set off a dog fight, and the little one rarely stands a chance of survival."

Any number of things can set off a dog fight: food, treats, toys, etc. "I don't distribute treats when they're in a pack. Rawhide is never available for them to fight over. If they ever want the same toy, that toy is put away so nobody can have it."

Barbara further states, "That said, some Greyhounds have less of a prey drive than others and can live compatibly with small animals such as cats, Poodles, IGs, etc. However, in any situation where large and small pets are living together, supervision is essential. I myself have two smaller dogs who weigh about 35 pounds each. My own three Greyhounds have very low prey drives. However, when we are not there to supervise, they are separated."

If an IG owner wishes to adopt a Greyhound from a rescue, Mary Frankio urges the IG owner to be sure that the rescue that is screening the Greyhound is diligent regarding a cat test. The cat test can be a helpful determinant in a Greyhound's prey drive; even so, there are no guarantees. She recommends the Greyhound be muzzled and on lead with a handler. The Greyhound in the same room with the cat for a period of time- not merely walking the dog past the cat. During this test, body language, reactions, and behavior are observed.

Mary Frankio recommend the prospective Greyhound adopter be present during each cat test, otherwise one must fully trust the person and rescue responsible for screening. Mary also recommends the cat test be done on several occasion to gauge the Greyhound's reaction under different circumstances, such as when hungry, different times of day, and changing various factors. She feels the test should be repeated four times or more to properly gauge the reaction of the Greyhound.

Mary warns against placing an old Greyhound, who may suffer arthritis from racing, in the home with a young IG. The Greyhound may be temperamental as he or she feels their aches and pains. This may affect their behavior toward the young IG.

If a Greyhound is placed in a home with an IG or other pets, it is customary during the acclimation period for the Greyhound to wear a box muzzle while the animals are together and supervised. Barbara Wicklund notes, "Greyhounds are hunters and never growl before attacking prey (otherwise it would alert the prey)." Therefore, the owner should observe the Greyhound's body language as well. The Greyhound's behavior should be constantly observed even after the acclimation period is over. A fixed-eye gaze on another animal, changes in posture, tail, and eyes should all be noted. Even after the acclimation period is over and muzzle no longer worn, supervision and observation should be constant. Barbara Wicklund states, "a basket muzzle is provided with the warning that it should be used until the adopter is absolutely comfortable that the pets can live harmoniously." Mary Frankio states, "One must never leave the Greyhound and IG together unsupervised, and always crate or separate in different rooms when leaving the house. If gates are used, they must be the type with vertical bars and at least 42 inches in height so that the animals cannot climb them. Never leave the house without separating the IG and Greyhound."

As mentioned above, Greyhounds and IGs should never be permitted to play or run together since the size difference may present serious risks of injury or death. The Greyhound and IG should not be turned out in the yard together, even with supervision. Barbara Wicklund explains, "Hunting instinct can kick in outdoors, where anything may become prey."

Barbara Wicklund further states, "While we do adopt our Greyhounds to families with small pets, it is always with heart in mouth because too many people fail to take the warnings seriously. The inherent gentle nature of the Greyhound lulls them into a false sense of security. For a Greyhound to chase down and kill a small pet is not aggression, but instinct, and it is difficult to get people to understand this."

If an owner wishes to have both a Greyhound and IG, Mary Frankio and Barbara Wicklund both agree that careful management and supervision are necessary. The owner should always be observant and trust his or her instinct if something doesn't feel right. Mary Frankio believes management of the two breeds often '€œcomes down to common sense." Barbara Wicklund says that, "At the risk of being repetitive, I cannot stress enough the importance of constant vigilance and supervision, and separation when necessary. Careful management and constant vigilance, are key to caring for the two breeds together. If the owners of small dogs cannot commit to this, they should stick with IGs and not add a big dog to the household."