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Bringing a greyhound into your life is a little different from what you might imagine. Unlike most other dogs, a greyhound straight from the track has no experience with being a pet. That means that things you take for granted with other dogs must be taught to the new retiree. She’s likely never seen things like steps, windows and mirrors, and must be "taught" how to deal with these surprises. And, unlike other dogs, a greyhound may never, ever be turned loose in an unenclosed area. No matter how well she may be trained, no amount of training can overcome what she has been bred to do for thousands of years and trained to do all of her life - to run. Specifically, to chase things. She can be out of earshot in seconds, and if she gets lost, she can’t rely on scent to guide her back home the way other dogs can. That means that a prospective greyhound owner must be dedicated to walking the dog if there is no fenced area available. (See "How to Catch a Loose Greyhound.")
Since a greyhound is used to being crated, it's best if you invest in a large or extra large crate before you bring your dog home. It helps ease the transition - both for the dog and for you. (And if you have other pets or small children, ditto with the muzzle.)
Each
greyhound is an individual, but as a breed, they tend to be quiet, clean, and
very affectionate.They
are carefully evaluated before being offered for adoption so that each dog may
be placed into home best suited to her temperament. Many
get along well with other dogs, since their lives have included a lot of socialization.
Even cats can live in peace and harmony with a dog who has a low prey drive. Small
children, correctly supervised, can also do very well with these wonderful dogs.
Greyhounds average from 55 to 90 pounds. Most of the dogs are retired when they are between two and five years old, depending on how successful a racer he or she is. The fastest dogs often are bred for several years before "getting out of the business" entirely. They are very clean dogs, with a short, smooth coat. (They do shed a little, but compared to most of our other dogs, it's pretty insignificant!) Since they have so little coat and body fat, the greyhound is strictly an indoor dog all year round.
A greyhound will generally live to be 12 - 15 years old, so adopting one of these guys is a pretty serious commitment. So, before you make your decision, talk to other greyhound owners. Read everything you can (see the links and recommended books on the adoption page or give me a call). Have a serious discussion with your family or housemates about how having this dog will impact your life. Consider the financial aspects of caring for your greyhound - vet bills, collars, leashes, id, crates, food (see "snips tips" for information on diet), licensing. (And toys and a really really comfy bed. Greyhounds are hard not to spoil! ) If you've never had companion animals before, ask your adoption group to arrange an in home visit with one of their dogs so that you can get the "feel" of living with a dog of this size. Any adoption group will encourage you to return a dog whom you are unhappy with - in fact, that's generally part of the contract - but spare everyone the trauma. Be an informed adopter - know what you're getting into. Then hang on for the ride!
Have you visited the main adoption page?