Greyhound Care

Where should a greyhound live?

Greyhounds cannot live outdoors due to their thin coats and little body fat. They are used to living in temperature-controlled kennels with soft bedding and lots of love. If you are too hot or cold, your dog will be also. Your greyhound will enjoy it’s own soft spot where it can feel safe and protected. Some dogs cuddle with stuffed animals, and dog beds or couches are quickly claimed as home.

How much does it cost to care for a greyhound?

Greyhounds cost less than a dollar a day to feed and all the love you can afford. Of course, health care is important, including annual veterinary exams, vaccinations, and heartworm preventative.

Why do greyhounds need to be kept on a leash?

Greyhounds have been bred for thousands of years to see great distances and chase whatever moves. A leash assures the greyhound protection from disasters. Greyhounds never learned fear of cars or other hazards and are born to run. Greyhounds are accustomed to walking on a leash and enjoy the exercise as well as the attention they receive from the people who pass by.

How much exercise does a greyhound need?

We call them 45 mph couch potatoes because they do love to lie about and snooze. Greyhounds should be given a nice long walk three or four times a week or be taken to a fenced area where they can sprint once or twice a week. They can also make excellent jogging companions when they are trained to go at a new pace and for a distance.

 

 

The Greyhound Personality

What kind of pets do ex-racing greyhounds make?

Greyhounds are affectionate, friendly dogs that thrive on attention and human companionship. They make terrific pets. Raised with their littermates, where they competed for affection, greyhounds love becoming the center of attention as household pets. Greyhounds do not usually make good watchdogs. Their friendly nature is not really very threatening.

Are they good with children?

Greyhounds are very tolerant of children, but, like any dog, they do have their limits. They are not as playful as puppies. Being mature dogs, they will usually walk away rather than growl or snap if children become overbearing. Children under the age of seven should never be allowed to interact with any dog unsupervised. Children must also be taught how to approach a dog at rest so as not to startle it. Even though greyhounds are very tolerant, they cannot be teased or tormented without the possibility of a growl or snap. Even a gentle greyhound has its limits. HBGA will evaluate each application individually and base its recommendations on observed interaction between your children and the greyhounds.

How are they with other pets?

Greyhounds are friendly by nature and socialize well as a result of encounters with other greyhounds in the racing kennel. Most can learn to accept cats and other small animals, but the introductory period must be very closely monitored.

Why do they wear muzzles?

Are they that high strung?

The greyhound is a wonderfully unique creature blessed with the ability to be very competitive and aggressive while on the track, and then become a very loving and docile companion when in a home. They wear muzzles while racing for two reasons: to help racing officials determine the outcome of a photo-finish race, and to protect the greyhounds from injury during the excitement of the chase.

About Greyhounds

Are ex-racing greyhounds housebroken?

Frequently an adopted greyhound is completely housebroken right from the start. They are turned out three or four times a day to relieve themselves when they are in the racing kennel. Therefore racing greyhounds are kennel broken, which means they are trained to go outside and keep their kennels clean. If you take them outside frequently at first, they will learn quickly that their new home is the place they keep clean and outside is where they go to relieve themselves.

How old are retired greyhounds when they come off the track?

Retired racers are usually between two and four years old.

What is their life expectancy?

With appropriate care, a loving home, and a stress free environment, they can live 12 years or more.

Are all greyhounds gray?

Not at all. They are many colors – brindle, black, blue, fawn or a combination of these colors. The name greyhound is not derived from the color of the animal. The name may have originated from any of three sources. The ancient Greeks may have called greyhounds “Greekhounds” or may have named them “Gazehounds” since they relied on sight rather than smell when hunting. The name may also have been derived from the Latin “gre” or “pradus” meaning degree, which related to the principle and care in breeding.

How big do they get?

Greyhound males typically stand 26 to 30 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh between 65 and 85 pounds. Females typically stand 23 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh 50 to 65 pounds.

Why are greyhounds so skinny?

Greyhounds do not have the bone structure to support a great deal of weight. Also, their heart and lungs are very large for a dog their size to allow them to be competitive athletes, but the rest of their vital organs are small for a dog their size and cannot be crushed with excess fat.