Here is a short list of questions that we have been asked about greyhounds over the years that we have been working with them. If you have a question that is not answered below, or if you can think of one that would be helpful to include in our list, please email us, (see Contact Us page) and we will be pleased to try to help.
Click on a question to go directly to the answer:
How big are Greyhounds?
Females weigh between 50 and 65 pounds and stand 23 to 26 inches at the
shoulder, while males weigh between 65 and 85 pounds and stand 26 to 30 inches
at the shoulder. Although Greyhounds are not small dogs, many adopters report
that they are almost cat-like inside their homes in that the dogs seek a quiet
corner from which to enjoy the company of their humans. Back to top
How old are the Greyhounds that are available for adoption?
The average age range of ex-racing dogs is 3 to 4 years old. Some are "retired" as
early as age 2, while others stop racing at the mandatory retirement age of 5.
Some people enjoy older dogs, and there are many Greyhounds in the 8 to
10 year range available for adoption. Back to top
How long do Greyhounds live?
The normal life expectancy of a Greyhound is 13 to 15 years. Back to top
Are Greyhounds outside dogs?
No. While Greyhounds love romping and frolicking outside, they have very little
body fat and thin skin, and are very susceptible to extremes of cold and hot
temperatures. So between play or "potty" visits outside, Greyhounds
need to be primarily inside house pets. Back to top
Are the former racers housebroken?
In the racing kennels, Greyhounds sleep and eat in large crates, and are trained not
to soil their crates. In the pet home, housebreaking is simply a matter of
training the Greyhound that your home is a large crate. If you follow a
regular routine of outside visits, housebreaking is usually easily
accomplished.
Back to top
Are Greyhounds good with children?
The answer depends on the children--and the parents. It's impossible to make a
blanket statement and say that all ex-racers are good with children. But it's
hard to say that they're not because there are many families with children and
Greyhounds doing just fine. It must be remembered that these are adult dogs
that may never have been exposed to small children and their high-pitched
voices and quick movements. While Greyhounds are, as a breed, very tolerant
and sweet natured, and would usually rather walk away than snap, they do have
their limits, just as does any breed. Children MUST be taught the proper
respect for the dog, and not become overbearing in their actions toward the
dog, particularly as it relates to the Greyhound's personal space. Back to top
Are Greyhounds highly strung?
No--just the opposite, in fact. Docile and low key, Greyhounds are often described
by their adopters as very laid-back. Aggressiveness has been bred
out of racing Greyhounds because they can be disqualified from the track if
they even turn their heads during a race. They wear muzzles while racing to
help make their noses appear more prominent and assist the racing officials in
determining the winner of a "photo finish." Back to top
Do Greyhounds need lots of room to run?
While Greyhounds do love to run (and it's thrilling to watch!), they need no more
exercise than any other dog. A nice long walk on the leash three or four times
a week is recommended (and it's good for humans, too!).You could try to find a fenced area to let your Greyhound really stretch out. While a
fenced yard is ideal for both Greyhounds and their owners, it is by no means a
requirement. Many, many former racers have found happy homes in apartments and
condominiums. Back to top
Can Greyhounds live peacefully with cats?
In our experience, about 20 to 30 percent of Greyhounds are "cat tolerant," and do
just fine with cats inside the home. Back to top
How will a Greyhound get along with other dogs in my home?
Racing Greyhounds have lived all their lives with other Greyhounds, and generally
enjoy the company of all breeds of dogs. Their easy-going nature extends to
other dogs as well as people. Some Greyhounds will react with great interest
to small, fluffy dogs, but will generally do fine with them once they realize
the little guys are dogs too. As with cats, they should be introduced slowly
and cautiously. Back to top
Do Greyhounds make good watchdogs?
No. Greyhounds bark very little, and usually are as friendly with strangers as
they are with their own family. Greyhounds' sizes may intimidate potential
"bad guys," but that's about the extent of their protective abilities. Back to top
Do Greyhounds have any genetic abnormalities common to the breed?
Because racing Greyhounds are bred exclusively for function and temperament
rather than to emphasize a particular "look," they have no genetic-related
abnormalities. For example, they have one of the lowest incidences of hip dysplasia of all the breeds. Greyhounds' low percentage of body fat makes them
somewhat sensitive to some anesthesia agents, but there are commonly used
anesthetics that are safe for Greyhounds. Adopters should discuss anesthesia
requirements with their veterinarian and make sure that he is familiar with
Greyhound sensitivities in this area. Greyhounds should not wear flea collars,
but the new flea treatments like Advantage and Frontline are safe for them. Back to top
How much do Greyhounds eat?
We recommend 400 to 600 grams of a premium dry dog food per day for former racers, divided into two meals, but please see the food manufacturers recommendations also.
Ideal "pet weight" for Greyhounds is no more than 5 pounds over their registered
racing weight, and we always urge adopters to resist the temptation to "fatten
up that skinny Greyhound" by feeding him as much as he will eat. Greyhounds
can be "chow hounds," but will hold the right weight very well if fed a
moderate amount of a good dog food. Back to top
Do Greyhounds need much grooming or bathing? Do they shed much?
Very little, on both counts. Because Greyhounds have little oil in their skin, they
have no "doggy odor," and stay sweet smelling for long periods between baths.
Their coats are short and sleek, making Greyhounds very low maintenance dogs
when it comes to grooming. While we wouldn't go so far as to characterize
Greyhounds as hypoallergenic, many Greyhound adopters who have previously had
allergic reactions to other breeds of dogs report that they have no trouble
with a Greyhound in their home.
Back to top
What challenges do Greyhounds face in moving from the track to home?
Greyhounds have never encountered stairs, sliding glass doors, mirrors, or
toys. They are very bright, and with gentle guidance from their new family,
will quickly master climbing stairs and will learn that those glass doors are
solid. Watching a Greyhound delight in learning to play with toys (especially
the furry, squeaky variety) is great fun! Back to top
How do I go about adopting a Greyhound?
Just click the "Please Choose Me" button on the left to see the dogs we have available for adoption.