Cross Breeds

Greyhound adoption experiences.?

My husband and I have been looking into adopting a Greyhound for quite some time now. Recently we found out that one of our local race tracks will be shutting down at the end of the month so there will be a lot of them that need homes. We know a lot about them and just love the breed. They are really sweet dogs. I was wondering if anyone here has adopted a Greyhound and what there experience was like? We do have another dog that we adopted, he is a Corgi/Queensland heeler mix. Well expertise, you are an idiot. I have done all the research and know about the breed. I wanted to know personal experiences. AND dogs are adopted also. I will be reporting you. We have a really big fenced in yard. Thank you, lilly, cookie and walking lady, I think you just made up my mind. I am really excited now.

Public Comments

1. I don't know much about it but you can find places that train the dogs and then adopt them out. My husband was in prison once in his life and they had a program where the inmates would take care of the dogs and train them, they specialized in retired greyhounds. I always thought it was a great program. He said some of the dogs would come in just a mess and afraid of everyone because they were abused. When they left they were like a different dog. Good Luck and Thank You for adopting and not supporting BYB.
2. I have adopted 2 Greyhounds in the past (together) and they were wonderful pets. They did not like commotion or lots of people, and were rather skiddish, but when it was just the family, they were playful, loving and affectionate dogs. I would highly recommend getting 2 to help with the transition. They're such quiet, clean breeds that having 2 really isn't any more of a burden than having 1. Our Greyhounds had such a close bond that when 1 died of old age, the other died the next day. :( They thrived on each other's companionship. Good luck!
3. I have two neighbors that have adopted through a program called Grey Save. Each neighbor has two greyhounds and they are absolutely delightful. Real couch potatoes at home, but willing walkers when you want to go. I wouldn't hesitate.
4. I've adopted 3 of my own (2 straight off the track), and fostered numerous others. Greyhounds straight off the track are a bit more of a challenge than those who've been through foster homes. They don't know their names because they've never been called by it - so you can name the dog anything you want. They aren't housetrained, but they are crate trained and leash trained. They're very clean dogs and housetraining them is very, very easy. You keep them in the room with you (just like a young puppy), take them out often and give a ton of praise. When you can't watch them, crate them. They're adults, so they have bladder control and they learn very quickly with positive reinforcement. They also don't know anything about living in a house - don't know they can't pick up stuff off the coffee table, or jump on the counter, or about vacuum clearners, nothing. But they learn that really quickly, too. And you're right, they are very sweet dogs. I've never known one that didn't love people, including very small children. A few aren't good with small dogs, and lots of them aren't cat safe. Two of mine loved cats, my female will never be cat safe. A lot of greyhounds become therapy dogs because of their gentle natures and genuine love of people. Greyhounds are a healthy breed (not one racer yet with hip dysplasia!), but you do have to watch their teeth. Many of them have bad teeth, genetically and from the garbage they're fed. They need their teeth brushed daily, and perhaps scaling or a full dental occasionally. The most important thing to remember with an ex-racer is you can never let him off lead in an unfenced area. All it would take is a distraction off in the distance and he'd be gone at great speed. They're very calm and quiet in the house, needing a moderate amount of exercise. A fenced yard is a must because they need the chance to stretch their legs and run. You won't be sorry if you add a greyhound to your home!
5. A greyhound is one of the most wonderful, and appreciative dogs you can ever have. I guarantee you will love them the first time you see one. It is so wonderful that you want to adopt a greyhound. Thousands of retired greyhounds are killed each year because they do not have anyone who will adopt them. Greyhounds are a very calm, gentle breed. They like to run around outside for awhile each day. Hopefully you won't mind a torn up yard because when they run, they dig up a bunch of grass and dirt. Greyhounds can reach speeds up to and exceeding 45 mph in three strides. Greyhounds really do need a fenced in yard to run around in. Never chain a greyhound up outside. If the hound decided to run after some prey, such as a rabbit, its starting speed is so fast, it would snap its neck. Never use invisible fencing. Should they decide to take off, greyhounds are so fast, and so focued on what they are after, that they will go right through the barrier and get severly shocked. Also, greyhounds that run away are hard to catch, and often get lost. They also enjoy daily walks. Many greyhounds suffer from spinal injuries that become a problem when they get older, so you may need to get your greyhound a harness to attach the leash to versus on the collar if this happens. Many greyhounds are not cat and small dog friendly. They often see these animals as prey to catch, so be careful when you take it for a walk. It is also common for greyhounds to develop thyroid problems when they get older, but thyroid medication will take care of it - you just need to be willng to spend the money on all necessary medications. When you adopt a greyhound, s/he will come spaded/neutered, as well as updated vaccinations. As far as other medication goes, you should use Frontline. You will also need to keep them on a heartworm medication such as Heartguard. Be sure you choose a vet for your greyhound that is well educated about greyhounds. This breed needs to be cared for very differently than other dogs. The average life of a greyhound is about 12 years. Many greyhounds like to play tag outside. Both my female and male greyhounds like to play hide-and-go-seek. Many of them also like to chase a ball with people. They also like to play with toys that resemble prey, such as a stuffed squirrel that squeaks. However, it is very rare that you will be able to teach a greyhound to do tricks, as they never learned any as puppies. Greyhounds are nicknamed the "couch potato" because they love to lie on the couch or a soft dog bed most of the day. So, be sure to get it a comfy dog bed. For this reason, you need not worry about their energy level. They don't have the longevity as other breeds do. They enjoy daily walks and to play in the yard for a short while, then they are just happy laying around and being cuddled. Greyhounds are a very unique breed of dog, as they have almost human like personalities, each dog is very different. This is why most greyhound adoption organizations do not like to adopt out a dog based on a potential owner's request for a certain color or gender. You don't love your family members because of how they look, or if they are a boy or a girl. You love them for who they are. Also, because these hounds are sooo sensitive, you should never yell at, or hit one. Most of these dogs have been very abused and neglected during their life on a track, so if you do this, you will damage your relationship with the grey. Just speak with them in a firm voice if it is not listening to you. Greyhounds will tend to withdraw versus becoming agressive in unusual/stressful situations. You will seldom hear a greyhound bark or growl, and will NEVER bite unless it is provoked in some way. The food that I recommend to get is Ultra. It is an all-natural dog foodand gentle on their sensitive tummies. My greyhounds' vet, who used to be a vet at a greyhound race track, recommends this brand. Generally, greyhounds will eat about 2 1/2 to 3 cups of food twice daily. If possible, it helps to put their food on a pet food table, (found at most pet supply stores). This is because their necks are so long, that when they get older, they sometimes have a hard time swallowing and choke. The table will help with this. Most greyhounds have bad teeth because they are malnourised from their life on a track. So, in order to keep up with their dental care, brush their teeth daily with a soft brissle brush and toothpaste made for dogs. Don't worry, it won't bite you! It will probably just stand there and let you brush.These dogs do shed, so to help, they should be brushed daily with a soft, knobbed brush. Greyhounds LOVE this! Greyhounds' skin is very sensitive, so when you bathe it,(limited to about once a month), be sure to use a hypo-allergenic shampoo made for dogs. If you live in a place where it gets cold, you might want to consider buying your greyhound a coat, especially when letting them out to go potty and for walks. These dogs do not have a lot of fat to help them keep warm, so they tend to get cold more easily than most breeds of dogs. I highly recommend buying one from: www.houndtogs.com I bought from this company as well as another one. Hound togs are far superior and you will get your money's worth. If you need mosquito/insect repellent for your greyhound, Avon Skin So Soft lotion works wonderfully. Just be sure to put enough of it on, all over the body, or else it will be ineffective. You will also notice that most greyhounds do not have a lot of fur on their rear end. This is because on the race track, they are kept in kennels so small, that their rear end constantly rubs against the cage. Now, when you adopt a greyhound, you may need to teach it to walk up steps. You will also need to teach it about windows, (if a grey sees something it wants to catch outside a window, it will try to go right though it). This is because on the track, they only walk on dirt and otherwise, are kept in a kennel. They do not know what stairs or windows are when they first come off the track. My male greyhound, smashed into our deck door. Luckily, it was just the screen that was closed and not the actual glass door. Because of this, and for their own safety, you will need to put them in a kennel when you leave until they become adjusted to their new home, (then you can leave them out). However, if the greyhound you adopt has already lived in a foster home for a while, you probably will not need to worry about these things. You will NOT need to take it to obedinece classes. They are very well-mannered dogs. However, when going potty, the greyhound will have to learn which door to use, and how to let you know that it has to go potty. They learn quickly, just watch for signals that might mean it has to go and let it out at least 5 times a day. The process of adopting a greyhound can be a little lengthy. First, you will have to speak with a greyhound adoption councelor. This person will require you to fill out an adoption application, with references. Then, s/he will come by your house to make sure it is greyhound safe, and to suggest any changes that should be made, (the changes, if any, are usually very easy to make). The adoption councelor will also speak with you about your and your family's personalities and lifestyles. This person will then introduce you to some greyhounds that s/he thinks will fit in well with your family. I recommend reading "Adopting the Racing Greyhound" by Cynthia Branigan. It has a lot of good intoductory info. It is what I read when I first adopted one. Additionally, most greyhound adoption organizations will require you to read this book or one like it. Check it out from your library if you don't want to buy it. I also recommend going to a greyhound meet-and-greet. These are usually held at major pet supply stores. Either check with them, or your local greyhound adoption organization for more details. F.Y.I They are such a wonderful breed, that most people end up adopting more than one. Heehee!
6. I agree completely with 'walking lady'. I have had three greyhounds now and love the breed. All mine have been straight from the track, all older (5yrs+) and none of them have ever seen the inside of a house before. They all hate the vacuum cleaner and the washing machine, love any food they can get their paws on, and two of them have even learned how to open the refrigerator door! They hate going out in the rain, like short walks, and love lying on the couch in front of the fire in the winter! (a bit like me really!!). They are the most loving dogs you will ever find as far as people are concerned. However I do have a word of caution about cats and small dogs. If your greyhound has not been de-sensitised, he or she will chase anything at all which looks like a rabbit. After all, that's what they think their job is - they will have been doing it all their lives. So you can't blame them. My experience is they'll be fine with other greyhounds (after all, they're the only dog breed they will have seen) and whippets (presumably they just think whippets are not very well grown greyhounds!) and eventually they will be fine with other larger dogs (at first mine have always looked on them as some kind of alien!!). But people out walking their small dogs won't know that. All they'll see is a large dog pounding towards their little terrier. So, keep your greyhound muzzled, certainly at first (you should always be given a muzzle when you re-home a greyhound) and at first, don't let him or her off the leash. If you do, they're likely to disappear anyway! Mine have always settled down and are now great with all sizes of dog, but it takes time and patience. Don't bother taking them to any dog training school - greyhounds really see no point in responding to any command other than "chase"! Just spend time with your dog, and let him know when he's doing well. Also, make sure you get a feeding bowl which is raised off the ground - greyhounds are so tall it can cause problems for their intestines if they have to reach downwards all the time to eat. And bear in mind they often have gum disease (because when they race, they're fed on slop). The best book I have ever read on the subject is "Ex-racing greyhounds for Dummies" (yes, there is such a thing!!) - mine is a very well-used copy and I still refer to it now from time to time. Amazon have it online. I would always choose a rescue greyhound above any other breed of dog - but they're not always easy to re-home. As long as you have the time and the will, you'll get there though - and you'll have a wonderful companion.