Frequently Asked Questions.

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.
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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.
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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.

 

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