Adopting a retired Greyhound is truly a rewarding experience. Your Greyhound
will quickly become a member of your family and add joy to your home.
Their playful and sensitive nature will endear them to everyone. Most
importantly, adopting a Greyhound is a serious commitment. Your pet will
depend on you for guidance and to meet all its needs; food, shelter, health
care and lots of love.
The following information will help you decide if a retired racer is the
right pet choice for you and your family.
'Amber' at play!
Greyhounds Are Quiet & Docile
Greyhounds are quiet animals who rarely bark. They love to sleep and are
often fondly referred to as "40 Mile Per Hour couch potatoes."
Personality: Greyhounds are quiet, well mannered, loving and sensitive.
Because of their gentle nature, they do not make good watch dogs. Greys
are easily trained with positive reinforcement. A firm NO! is all that
is needed to correct unwanted behaviors.
Age: Greyhounds available for adoption are generally two to six
years old. Their racing careers end when they are no longer competitive. Some are not fast enough, while others may have been injured.
Life Span: On average, Greyhounds live from 12 to 14 years.
Size: Like people, Greyhounds vary in size. Females weigh from
50 pounds for a petite girl to 60 pounds for the more average one. Males
tend to be a bit larger, weighing between 65 and 75 pounds on average.
Regardless of their size, greyhounds take up very little space and curl
up into a ball when sleeping.
Color: Greyhounds come in a wide array of colors with 18 recognized
variations. They are solid, patched, brindled, spotted and striped. The
least common of all is the "blue" or gray-like color.
Greyhounds Are Greyt Companions
Greyhounds are happiest in the company of those they love. They eagerly
await your arrival with wagging tails. They like to nuzzle, love people,
love to love and to be loved.
Children: Are greyhounds good with children? The real question
is, are children good with Greyhounds? Like any other
breed, some will be o.k. and some will not. It is
important to supervise children at ALL times. NEVER
leave a young child alone with the dog. The child must
learn that while the dog is sleeping it is off limits.
They must not play in their crates, and they must
NEVER tease, taunt, pull tails, ears, or ride the dog.
THIS CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE A DANGEROUS SITUATION. Any
dog will eventually snap or bite if put in this
situation. Parents must teach the child to respect the
dog. For example, if the child is about to crawl onto
the sleeping dog's bed, the parent must react the same
way she would if the child were about to touch a hot
stove or run into the street, fast and firm. This
reaction as opposed to, "Oh Johnny, now stay away from
Rover o.k. sweetie" will let your child know that you
mean business and this is not acceptable. Children and Greyhounds
can live together peacefully if taught well.
Cats: Greyhounds and cats can and do get along! Many Greyhounds
live happily with cats and other small animals. Be sure to let your adoption
consultant know the make-up of your household so they can assist you with
finding a cat friendly pet.
Exercise: Contrary to popular belief, Greyhounds do not require
a tremendous amount of exercise. As racers, they are sprinters, not endurance
runners. While they enjoy a good romp around a fenced yard or in an enclosed
area, they do equally as well with a brisk ten minute walk daily. The
rest of the time, they are content resting on a soft bed or sofa.
Walking: At the track the dogs are accus-tomed to 4 turn outs daily
for bodily functions. Additionally, they are taught to walk well on lead.
Greyhounds must always be leashed when walked outside of a safely fenced
area. They may never be walked without a leash as they are sighthounds
and always ready for a good chase, even after a blowing paper bag or leaf
Greyhounds Are Smart
Many Greyhounds excel as therapy dogs. Others score well in agility and
obedience. All find the perfect way to make themselves a member of the
family.
Shedding: Greyhounds have short coats and are not big shedders.
Some believe that lighter color dogs shed more than darker colors. A good
weekly brushing with a comb or glove eliminates most shedding. Greyhounds
are considered hypo-allergenic and are often suitable pets for those with
allergies
House Breaking: Greyhounds spend most of their track life in a
crate and have learned not to "dirty" their living space. Utilizing a
crate at home while the grey adapts to his/her new environment quickly
teaches them to see the home as a larger crate. House breaking is easily
accomplished within a short period of time.
Feeding: The average grey requires 4 to 5 cups of high-quality
dry food daily, spread over two meals. Thinner dogs may need more food
until they reach their "pet weight."
Special Needs: A Greyhounds short hair and lean body requires
a coat when the temperature dips below 40 degrees. A non-slip, humane
collar accommodates his/her narrow head and wider neck. Raised bowls make
eating easier. A soft bed is always appreciated. Most of all, patience
and love are the best tools to ease the transition from track to home.