Frequently Asked Questions About Greyhound Adoption

Q: What should I expect if I adopt a greyhound?
A: Because everything is brand new to the greyhound, expect him/her to be somewhat confused and very curious. House manners need to be learned but Greyhounds are very intelligent dogs and learn quickly. Things like going up and down stairs may take a little while to get used to. You should expect a period of adjustment. Not all greyhounds adjust as fast as others. For example, some greyhounds may be more difficult to housebreak. Others may have a tendency to chew and some may be extremely shy. A lot of patience and understanding is needed through this adjustment period.

Greyhounds are very affectionate, well behaved and mild mannered. They are clean, shed very little and seldom bark. More than anything, greyhounds want and enjoy your companionship.

Greyhounds get along very well with children and can fit nicely into any home. However, we do discourage the adoption of a greyhound by families with children under the age of four. We feel this age group is too young to properly respect them. Greyhounds usually get along well with other house pets, too. If you have other pets, allow them a little time to get used to each other.

Greyhounds are excellent travelers and will enjoy taking trips with you. They are very sociable, so expect to meet new friends through you new pet.

Remember, the more love and attention you give your greyhound, the more you will get back.

Q: Does my greyhound need a special space in the house?
A: During his racing career, your greyhound never lived anywhere outside of his cage or kennel. For this reason, your dog’s crate will be a source of security for while adjusting to your home. Some greyhound owners continue to use the crate after the transition period. Our group supports this. Beyond the first few weeks, greyhounds are like any other house dog

Q: Will my adopted greyhound require housebreaking?
A: Greyhounds are originally kennel trained. This means that they know not to soil their crate. At first you will need to take your dog out frequently while learning to adapt to a regular housebreaking schedule. Expect a few accidents along the way. The crate is a great housetraining tool.

Q: What do greyhounds eat?
A: When he was racing, your greyhound was fed a high-energy diet. Now that he is retired, he will want a high quality dry food. Such as Pro-Plan, Science Diet, or Iams, which are available at any pet store. You will want to avoid dog foods that contain dyes as greyhound’s stomachs are sensitive to them. Be very selective and sparing with table scraps and treats.

Q: What sort of medical care will my greyhound need?
A: Like any dog, greyhounds require annual checks for heartworm and other parasites. You will want to keep your dog vaccinated for rabies and others recommended by your vet. You should be sure in advance that your veterinarian is fully informed about greyhounds as a breed, since they require special attention to anesthesia.

Q: How important is exercise to my greyhound?
A: A greyhound is an athlete. At the track they were accustomed to racing every three days. However, as greyhounds get older their exercise needs diminish. Basically, the younger the dog, the more exercise it will require. Several walks plus an opportunity to run off lead in a fenced area once a week is usually all the exercise most greyhounds will need. If you have a fenced in area this will take care of most of your greyhounds exercise requirements. GPA-MI will not approve a greyhound adoption to a home that utilizes an electric fence for outside containment.

Q: What additional precautions will my greyhound require?
A: Greyhounds love to run and can do so at speeds in excess of forty miles per hour. They also love to chase things (especially rabbits, and squirrels). In their quest for speed, a greyhound can quickly become injured or lost. Your greyhound should never be allowed off lead outside of a fenced area.

Never, ever tie your greyhound to a stake or put him on a tie-out chain. Greyhounds are sight hounds and will chase anything that moves, possibly resulting in injury or even death.

Your greyhound is solely a house pet. Never leave your dog outside when you are not home or when you are unable to supervise.

A Word on Senior Dogs

Companionship.
Senior dogs whose lives have been disrupted in their later years have so much love to give and like nothing better than giving it. They tend to rely heavily on their owner for companionship and therefore bond very quickly. The desire to reciprocate the companionship given to them is very strong.

Ease of care.
Senior dogs, in most cases, do not have the same exercise requirements as their younger counterparts. They have experienced the chewing/destructive stage long ago, and want nothing more than a warm pair of feet to lie by or a soft lap or couch to snuggle on. Their daily/weekly walks can be therapeutic for *both* dog and owner! Although some senior dogs may require more frequent veterinary visits, the joys of owning a senior dog will greatly outweigh the effort involved, as will the extra years of companionship gained.

Seniors for seniors.
An attractive concept used by many animal rescue/humane organizations, an older dog can be successfully matched up with a senior citizen. Lifestyle requirements of an older person often mix well with the lifestyle of an older dog. It's a win/win situation, resulting in quality retirement companionship for both.

Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks?
You sure can. While it may take an older dog a bit longer to adjust to new situations, they can; they will; they do. Their only requirement is to be given the opportunity. Generally, older dogs are calmer and therefore will focus much easier on what you are trying to teach them.

Thank You Senior Dog Rescue.