Fast non sight hounds

[JayRod101]

Ever since i was a boy i have wanted a fast dog. I have a cat so sight hounds wont be the best thing. i always want a dog i can play fetch and frisbey with in my lot and wont get distracted if they see a cat or something. I heard border collies and jack russells are really fast and ive known my friend had a border terrier who he said could outrun whippets.

[hazelrunpack]

Almost any dog is faster than I am, and that's fast enough for me!

There are a lot of dogs out there that love to play fetch and catch frisbees. But there are no guarantees... We have 8 setters. 4 of them love to chase the Kongs; 2 of them will fetch. 4 of them show very little interest in Kongs at all, unless they think that stealing one will get one of the others to chase them.

One option for you might be to visit a shelter and ask some questions. Often they evaluate dogs at the shelter for how they interact with other animals, and they can also sometimes tell you if the dog loves to play fetch. If you can arrange a pre-adoption visit between your cat and the dog you think might suit you, you're that much ahead of the game! And many shelters have an area where you can take one of their dogs and play with it. You'd be able to see for yourself if fetch and frisbee interest the dog. So a rescue might be just the ticket for you!

[babymomma]

German shepherds are very fast, and if you want one that will play fetch with you a GSD would be perfect, most have very high ball drives and will even catch up to the ball before it hits the ground..

[Folkwitch]

I'd visit the shelter and the SPCA near you, sometimes (most times IMO) a purebread or mixed rescue dog is a better match than you'd expect.

[Gail P]

Border collies are very fast and usually willing to play fetch/frisbee all day long. But, they sometimes do like to chase cats too. Depending on the dog (it's age, history etc.), that may be something that can be prevented/managed.

I have 7 dogs, 3 of which are border collies and a couple more are border collie mixes. They are interested in my cat but have been taught to pretty much leave him alone. They also are good with my horses and poultry. I take a couple of mine to disc trials, play around a bit with agility and we also dogsled.

There is a border collie in rescue that I know of that may suit you. I've met him and played frisbee with him. Here's a link to an ad posted by the rescue he's at http://www.trentriders.com/cgi-bin/b...ts&1221598349& It was posted on Sept. 16 so I'm not sure if he's still available.

Because there are a lot of border collies and bc mixes involved in dog sports the rescues will sometimes post them on forums related to the dog sports, (eg. the Canadian Disc Dogs yahoo group) if they think they have a good sport prospect in rescue.

[mona_b]

Originally Posted by JayRod101

I have a cat so sight hounds wont be the best thing.

Well not really.If a sight hound has been raised around cats,then they are pretty good with them.But this can also go with any breed.It also has to do with the training.Also,unless a dog is 100% on recall,it shouldn't be off leash.

A long time family friend of mine has an Afghan Hound.Cash is great with cats.His playmates are two cats.

My cousin has a Pointer(adopted) who is great with her cats.

I also have coworkers with Beagles,Greyhounds,Pointers,Wolfhounds and all are great with cats.

Originally Posted by babymomma

a GSD would be perfect,

I wouldn't say they would be perfect for what the OP is looking for.Constant running,turning and jumping can cause havock on the joints,especially the hips.Which is something you don't want to do.And especially if this is an everyday thing.I have always been very careful with my GSD's.

Check out the rescues and shelters.They can tell you which dogs have been around cats.

[mafiaprincess]

I know some afghans and whippets that are happy with cats. They may be fast, but none fetch, they zoom around after each other, and shouldn't be off leash outside a fenced area..

JRTs from well bred lines are quite prey drivey. This can extend to cats. Even ones they are raised with. Doesn't mean there aren't low drive pet ones around, but they may not have the same energy you seek.

[BenMax]

Jack Russells are not so good with cats...be careful.

[t.pettet]

Even in the midst of a stimulating game of fetch or frisbee the majority of dogs will get distracted and chase a cat or squirrel. Please make sure your dog is off leash in a safe environment like a fenced yard or park.

[MommaKat]

My newfie dog Maggie loves our cats. However, if she sees one running around outside she will still chase it (won't hurt it but she will chase), I agree with the dog not being off leash.

[todd1990]

i dont know too much about what a sight dog is, but id recommend a greyhound. my girlfriend's parents have been holding this kind of foster home thing for them right in their own house, so there's at least two of them in there at any given time (they own one, and then another waiting to be adopted). she has a pet sphynx (you know, the hairless cat) that loafs around anywhere, and the dogs have never been aggressive towards it at all. in fact, the only interaction ive seen between the two was some sniffing the first day and thats it.

[bendyfoot]

Greyhounds are sighthounds

[Leigh Vitalone]

I would say Lab or border collie. Both love to play fetch. My lab would fetch anything, even snow balls in the winter time.

[Blackdog22]

Many german shepherds have exceedingly high prey drive.
Its a breed trait, though less intense in showlines, its still there.
Yes they are very trainable dogs, but it is not always easy. This is a type of dog that needs serious dedication in order for them to reach there potential. If your looking for a dog that is not likely to pursue prey when stimulated, the gsd is probably not a very good choice.

I think a lab would be a fine choice.
They can be extremely fast, and they are very biddable reliable dogs. Not to mention great family pets.

[Blackdog22]

oops I forgot to quote.
my message probably seems irrelevant now.
lol

[myboydallas]

Keep in mind that both Border Collies and Jacks are very high drive dogs......and both will chase cats. All of my Border Collies have been raised around cats from puppies so they are used to them. I race my dogs in Flyball and I can tell you from experience, Border Collies will chase!! Of the 6 of them in my life, only two didn't chase - the rest took forever to train that out of.

Also keep in mind that if you get a high drive dog (like a Border Collie, Jack, ACD, etc.), they need a lot of exercise. My dogs do flyball, sheep herding and dock dogs and on the days where they can't get a good run (very cold weather, rainy weather {I won't run mine in the grass in the rain or ice for fear of slipping and tearing the ACL}) they are very restless and pacey........

[Dekka]

Hi
In my house I have 4 JRTs (I breed and rescue) 2 whippets and a BC. The whippets are by far the best with cats. The one JRT is a cat killer straight up AND he was raised with a cat. (who we rehomed when he turned about a year and started 'eyeing him' any time he ran) The BC really really wants to bite cats and make them run so he can chase them. Both the whippets are VERY polite and respect cats.

The best bet is rescue a dog of your choosing that has already proven itself great with cats.