Hound Friendliness

[leefizz]

Hi all, when Fizz first came here I remember thinking that she would be quite reserved and cautious with people, but over time that has changed so much. When she gets to know people she is very loving and affectionate.

Recently when I've been walking her she'll do this thing where she's walking along with her ears up and tail wagging looking into parked cars. If I'm not quick enough and there's someone sitting in a car, she'll try to jump up (if a window is open) and lick the person in the face. She managed to get someone once. To be fair though she was called over. I have had comments on how affectionate she is, because she is a Greyhound people seem surprised by this. Are Greyhounds friendlier than people think?



Lee

[Ian]

I would say that generally Greyhounds are very much people dogs, some can be nervous around people, but that often goes with time. Occassionally some remain nervous around strangers, but having spent about two years walking the Greyhounds at Ockendon on Saturdays and Sundays I'd say the Greyhounds are very much people dogs, and anytime you enter a kennel you'll get greeted with huge excitement. Sometimes they used to jump up at you, other times not, but the overwhelming reaction was one of friendliness. The rare nervous ones would sometimes be stand off ish, but usually came round after a week or two.

Whenever we have visitors to the house Sean always comes a greets them and is happy to see them, and fortunately so far since lving here in Devon everyones been happy to see him as well. Some folks are surprised by his size, although Greyhounds do come bigger than Sean, but I usually found the bigger hounds at the kennels were generally more placid and were easier to walk than many of the smaller ones.

[nicky]

Betty is very friendly and when she's out she expects people to make a fuss of her and looks offended if they don't! I agree with Mark that at the kennels the hounds are always happy to see people. I walk lots of different greyhounds and have not met an unfriendly one yet. Some jump up for a cuddle and some are shy and need a little patience but they are all lovely. I also agree with Mark that the bigger ones are usually gentle giants.

People are often surprised how gentle and friendly they are, especially around children and I often end up explaining alot about greyhounds! They do make a good talking point though and a great way of promoting them