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GREYHOUNDS AS PETS |
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Greyhounds
must be
considered house
dogs – They are
comfortable
where you are
comfortable, in
a heated or
air-conditioned
home. They do
prefer a nice
soft dog bed or
comforter to lie
on.
Greyhounds
are sight-hounds
- This means
that they hunt
by sight. They
could see a leaf
or a squirrel ˝
a mile away and
accelerate to 70
kms in just a
few strides, and
will only focus
on whatever they
may have
sighted. For
this reason,
they must always
be on a lead
unless in a
secure fenced-in
area. Obedience
lessons will not
override 8000
years of
instinct.
Greyhounds
are not
watchdogs – They
are social by
nature and most
of them will not
even bark when
someone rings
the doorbell. If
you are looking
for a watchdog,
the Greyhound is
not the breed
for you.
Greyhounds
are crate
trained - While
at the track,
they spend much
of their time in
crates. This is
continued in a
foster home, and
as the dog
learns its house
manners, it
receives more
freedom. This
practice is to
be continued in
its new home,
and the dog can
then eventually
be weaned out of
its crate when
it proves it can
be trusted.
Giving them too
much freedom is
setting them up
to fail as a
family pet as
they will still
be learning to
adapt to this
new life. If you
are working an
8-hour day, it
is best to have
someone let the
dog out part way
through the day,
while the dog is
adjusting to
your schedule.
This let-out
time can be
later each day,
until the full
8-hours is
reached.
Greyhounds
as the only dog
– Greyhounds
have lived their
entire lives
with other dogs,
and the biggest
adjustment they
have to make is
being an “only
child”. It’s
important that
people be aware
to be patient
with them while
the dog makes
this adjustment.
We suggest that
people leave a
radio or TV on
when they go out
and remind them
to use the crate
while the dog is
adapting to this
change.
Greyhounds
and cats – Not
all Greyhounds
are good with
cats. Some are
considered
“keen” or “high
prey”. Any dog
that is chosen
for a home with
cats or any
small animal
will need to be
thoroughly
tested in a
foster home with
a cat in
residence.
Greyhounds
and kids -
Greyhounds have
a very gentle
nature, but they
have never lived
with small
children.
Children and
dogs must always
be under
parental
supervision. A
reputable
adoption group
will only place
a dog with small
children if the
dog has lived in
a foster home
with small
children.
Greyhounds
are friendly and
social by nature
as a result of
constant contact
with other dogs
and trainers in
the racing
kennel. They are
affectionate
dogs that thrive
on attention and
human
companionship
and make
marvelous
household pets.
No matter what
kind of pet
you’ve had
before, you’ll
never have a pet
quite like a
Greyhound!
Many people
expect
Greyhounds
to be extremely
energetic
because of their
speed and
previous
lifestyle, but
in fact, they
are actually
quiet and
cat-like in the
house, and
despite their
size take up
very little
room. We
affectionately
call them 40 mph
“couch
potatoes”!
Greyhounds
that are brought
into adoption
programs range
in age from 2 to
5 years old and
their life span
is from 12 to 14
years.
If the group
fosters their
dogs then the
dogs are placed
into a home upon
arrival from the
track and the
dogs are groomed
and usually
spend a couple
weeks in that
home. The
Greyhound’s
new life as a
pet begins there
as the foster
parents evaluate
the dog for
personality.
They are tested
for their
compatibility
with children,
cats and any
existing pets
within the home.
This process
enables the
adoption group
to match the new
Greyhound
with the best
possible
prospective
adopter. All of
its medical
needs are also
addressed during
this period.
The range of
care offered by
some groups –
may include
vaccinations,
worming,
heartworm
testing, the
spaying or
neutering of the
dog and teeth
cleaning. Tick
testing is
strongly
suggested and
may be done
through the
group or by
special request
through your
vet.
Most groups will
provide an
identification
tag along with a
“martingale”
safety collar
and lead and the
health report
regarding the
dog from the
veterinarian.
Some groups will
also offer
grey-sitting,
post adoption
support and
opportunities
for regular
get-togethers
with other
greyhound
adopters.
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HOW YOU CAN HELP
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-
Adopt one of
these GREYT
dogs
-
Become a
member of a
greyhound
adoption
group
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Volunteer to
help with
promotions,
fundraising,
grey-sitting,
fostering,
bathing, or
transporting
the dogs.
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We welcome
new, fresh
ideas to
help us
promote
these
wonderful
dogs.
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Please tell
your friends
about these
GREYT dogs
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