Just like any large breed dog, some greyhounds will chase small animals in the house. In fact, only about 10-15% of greyhounds are truly not safe living with small animals. It has nothing to do with the way they are raised and trained; it’s simply a “dog thing.” You should also note that some dogs have different definitions of the word “small.” Some dogs think any animal their size or smaller is a “small animal,” while others draw the line at about 25 lbs, and still others think anything that’s not a greyhound is something to chase. Some dogs will only chase cats, while others will only chase small dogs. It really depends on the individual dog, no matter what the breed, and it can change over time and with training.

Just because a dog is fine with small animals inside, does not mean they can play outside safely with small animals. For many dogs, going outside takes them to a whole new world and the cat they were just snuggling with quickly becomes something to be hunted. You must always ensure that your small animals are not outside unattended with your dog at any time. A greyhound may be able to see motion a half mile away, but their visual acuity will not let them know whether that motion is a paper bag, a squirrel, or their best little buddy until they are on top of it.

Many people without small animals want greyhounds that test small animal tolerant because they think they are safer and easier to take on walks and to parks. This is just not the case. Many greyhounds that live at home with small animals, even cuddling with them, are simply not safe with small animals in an outside setting. A properly leash trained dog can be controlled when small animals pass by no matter what their propensity for chasing small animals. If you limit yourself to only dogs that have tested small animal tolerant for this reason, you are missing out on some wonderful dogs that really need homes.

Our greyhounds are evaluated with small animals at the adoption kennels at the race track by an evaluator with many years of experience with dogs, and are given one of 3 ratings:

• Small Animal Tolerant
  Dogs that test small animal tolerant generally pay no attention to small animals, or are merely curious about them. This means that after given the opportunity to meet the animal, they find something else that catches their attention. Small animal tolerant does not mean that the dog will not try to engage the small animal in play, or watch the animal if it’s running around the room. This just means that, in the evaluator’s opinion, the dog is not interested in small animals in an aggressive way. Often times we find that when these dogs are placed in homes with multiple cats, they do really well.
  
  Some small animal tolerant dogs are actually scared of small animals. These dogs do not do well in homes with dominant or aggressive small animals; they are fearful and will find a safe space and hide. Correcting your small animal’s dominant behavior can help in this situation, but just as some dogs are not small animal tolerant, some small animals are not dog tolerant.



• Small Animal Workable
  A dog that is workable is a dog who, in the evaluator's opinion, shows mild to moderate interest in the small animal but is easily corrected or distracted. For these dogs, their first introduction to a small animal in a home can make all the difference. If they are not immediately and clearly taught what's appropriate during that first meeting , they may never be safe alone with a small animal. They will, however, be OK with you there to provide guidance when the animals are together. Taught properly, the vast majority of workable dogs live in harmony with small animals for the rest of their lives. Families with dominant small animals usually do really well with workable dogs, because the small animal will help you teach the dog what is appropriate interest and what is not. There is nothing more telling than watching a Chihuahua explain to a 100 lb greyhound what behavior is appropriate and what is just rude.



• Not Small Animal Tolerant
  A dog that is not small animal tolerant is a dog that is right on top of the small animal during the evaluation and no amount of correction will break their attention. We have adopted out quite a few of these dogs over the years and can tell you from experience that, with proper training, these dogs are safe in the presence of small animals but should never be expected to live in harmony with them without you there to provide correction and guidance. The key for these dogs is maintaining control of their attention through leadership and mutual respect. Many of these dogs become the most loyal pets you'll ever own.