Bernie

This beautiful boy is Bernie

Bernie is very nervous of new people, so it will take him a while to come out of his shell. He is particularly wary around men so again this is something that will require time and patience to help him overcome his nerves

He enjoys going out and about and has been around other dogs and enjoys walking alongside other Greyhounds and he is very friendly towards them. Therefore we do feel he can be rehomed with another dog – subject to a successful dog meet but it would have to be a dog that would be a similar size / breed to his due to his high prey drive.

As Bernie is an ex racer he does have a high prey drive and he is trained to wear a muzzle on walks and we strongly advise that this is continued in his new home. He would love a secure garden where he can run about and play safely. However generally, greyhounds are a very lazy breed, being nicknamed the 40mph couch potato!

Although he has never lived in a home, they generally adapt well and love nothing better than a comfy place to stretch out and snooze the day away, greyhounds do well with 2 or 3 shorter walks a day, greyhounds are built for speed, not stamina, and use up their energy in short bursts, this leaves lots of time for napping, cuddling and playing.

Because of their early training, retired Greyhounds have never been without the company of other Greyhounds and have never had the opportunity to really be a puppy. They may need to act out some puppy behaviour, like chewing, which they typically quickly outgrow. They are eager to please and can be trained with patience, consistency and positive reinforcement. They are used to walking on the lead and will learn to heel quickly. Most Greyhounds do not know how to sit, climb stairs, or play games only because they have not yet learned. With time they can learn all of these things. Likewise, they have not been exposed to general household items, hoovers, TV’s and suchlike, they generally adapt quickly but will need time to adjust to these new experiences.

Greyhounds make great family pets and for those who are first time dog owners. We feel Bernie would be able to live with children 14+  – subject to a successful meet.