Some turn out otherwise, however. A few greyhounds see any small moving animal as prey, and they become immediate predators in their presence. These are the greyhounds that are said to be "not cat safe" and "not small dog safe". These hounds think a little poodle or a cat or sometimes even a Beagle or a Cocker Spaniel-sized dog are no different than a rabbit or a squirrel. Instinct takes over and they go for the kill.
Funky is a high prey greyhound. With people and other greyhounds and larger (over 50 lb) non-greyhounds, he's mild-mannered, calm, and even meek. He defers to everyone, and reacts to even the slightest correction by hanging his head and cowering.
Around smaller animals, though, his prey instincts suddenly go into gear and he is an instant predator. If you've never seen it, it's a sight to behold.
This is Funky at his first M&G fixing on a small dog going into PetSmart (Rob's greyt picture!!). He could not be distracted until the small dog disappeared from his view.
Fortunately, Funky happened to draw my house for his foster home - no small animals and a 6 ft privacy fence. The first time my neighbor's small dogs came running and barking on their side of my fence, Funky instantly went from Clark Kent to Superman. He was at the fence in seconds, and tried his best to get through it.
First, he tried to go over the fence, and had his front paws on the top of the 6 ft fence.
Then he tried to go under it. He was totally fixed on his prey and could not be distracted.
No pics of him at the top of the fence, but here he is trying to get under it - he's the one with the brindle butt in the air ;-\
These high prey dogs need continuous caution. When meeting other dogs... walking in your neighborhood... at M&G's... you must be constantly vigilant and cautious. This is part of Funky, and will never change. His ultimate home needs to be able to keep him safely.
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