GREYHOUND FAQ
What kind of pets do greyhounds make?
These affectionate dogs make terrific pets. Most
greyhounds are quiet, low-maintenance dogs who prefer to stay clean. Their skin doesn’t produce as much oil as most dogs so they don’t have the bad “doggie odor” that most dogs get.
How are they with other pets?
Greyhounds are friendly by nature and most socialize well because of their handling in the kennel environment. They are sighthounds with the instinct to chase built-in, so caution should be taken during introductions to small dogs and cats.
Are they good with children?
Most greyhounds do very well with children especially if the children are calm, gentle and respectful of them.
Are greyhounds already housebroken?
They are crate-trained, not housebroken, and that makes housetraining very easy. Most adopted
greyhounds have no issues with housebreaking.
Why do greyhounds need to be kept on a leash?
Under no circumstances should greyhounds be let off-leash in an open area. This cannot be stressed enough. Greyhounds are sighthounds who have been bred for thousands of years for speed. They have a strong instinct to chase and can run as fast as 45 miles per hour, which is comparable to a racehorse.
Do greyhounds need a lot of exercise?
Contrary to popular opinion, most greyhounds aren’t hyper and don’t require a lot of exercise. They are sprinters and only have short bursts of energy. After a walk around the block or a nice romp in the yard, most are content to sleep for the next several hours.
Will they adjust quickly in a home?
Not always. Greyhounds right off the track have never even seen many of the things we take for granted -- stairs, ceiling fans, TVs, and mirrors. The time frame can vary, but sometimes it will take a month or more for the new grey to understand he or she is now a pet.
How much do Greyhounds eat?
Males eat 3-5 cups a day, and females eat 3-4 cups a day. They can be fed once or twice daily.
Are they inside-only dogs?
Yes! Greyhounds can’t tolerate heat or cold well because they have thin skin, a short coat, and very little body fat. They may be tall, but they take up very little room in a home and cause little commotion. They are more than content with a soft bed to call their own, and will sleep there much of the day.
Download these guides on preparing for adoption and caring for your retired racer.
LIFE AT THE TRACK
Learning about what your greyhound’s life was like
during his career is extremely important because it
will help you immensely when attempting to understand his or her behavior.
Greyhound puppies are born on a farm where they begin the early stages of training. They are raised
with their littermates and sometimes stay with them
through training and on into their racing careers.
Greyhounds are constantly handled by people, and as a result, these puppies become very well
socialized from a very early age. This is one of the reasons retired racing greyhounds make such wonderful pets.
At about 18 months old the greyhound puppies have had all of their necessary training and are ready to go to the track and become race dogs. While they are racing they are kept on a tight routine, which is why they prefer to live in a scheduled home environment. Racing greyhounds generally retire at about 2 to 4 years old, most commonly from loss of interest, injury or age.
RUN WITH IT
Latest Issue of MSGAO's Newsletter
The longer your greyhound’s career, the better racer he or she was. Keep in mind, though, the length of a dog’s racing career is not linked in any way to his or her ability to make a fabulous pet!