About Greyhounds!

... and especially the retired Racer.

Greyhounds are sensitive, quizzical, surprisingly gentle, and try hard to please. Although most greyhounds adapt quickly, some may require extra tender loving care. Some may experience separation anxiety, be shy, or take a little longer to housebreak. Greyhounds are individuals with different personalities. Unique, perhaps, to greyhounds, is a tendency for their personality to unfold slowly over time for as long as six months to a couple years, as they become accustomed to their home.

This noble breed is very intelligent and somewhat independent. They are not predators, but it is their nature to chase fast moving objects. They have keen eyesight and can see moving objects up to a half mile away. They can reach 45 mph, achieving that speed in a just a few strides. Greyhounds have zero knowledge of cars so great care must be taken to insure that they do not get loose.

Greyhounds are not guard dogs and must be kept inside. They have low body fat and do not #tolerate extreme cold or heat. The Greyhound prefers to be inside with their person.

Most Greyhounds are especially fond of playing with stuffed toys. Greyhounds do not need any more exercise than any dog of similar size and enjoy daily walks and romping in a fenced-in area.

Greyhound and Sleeping
Greyhounds like peace and quiet, and, depending on your Greyhound's age and personality, will sleep up to 18 hours a day. Greyhounds are serious about their sleeping and take great delight in their soft beds. Offer your greyhound a very nice soft pillow and watch how much they enjoy it.

Greyhounds and allergies
Most people that are allergic to dogs are fine with greyhounds and a few other breeds.

Greyhounds and shedding
Greyhound shed minimally. Most of their shedding is during the spring and fall. Unless they get into something, they can be bathed as little as two or three times a year.

Greyhounds and muzzles
When you see greyhounds together at the track, they are always muzzled. There are a couple of reasons for this. When they are running, they are very competitive and will often nip at another dog. As with all dogs, greyhounds are pack animals. Many people feel that due to their long history their pack instinct is stronger than most other dogs. Pack behavior can lead to squabbles on who is the leader of the pack. Pack behavior also requires weeding out of injured dogs that may compromise the safety of the pack as a whole. If a dog somehow becomes injured, it is possible the other dogs will turn on it. Again, this is not unique to greyhounds. Muzzles are strongly recommended when more than two dogs are outside in the yard together. You can purchase muzzles from the Greyhound Pets Warehouse.

Greyhounds and Children
The Greyhound is an inherently gentle breed, which truly enjoys the company of people and most children. Indeed, the greatest concern might be for the Grey should the family include small children. Greyhounds are even-tempered and long-suffering. But like everything else, they do have a cut off point where enough is enough. As the newest member of your family your Grey will hold a special fascination for children in the home. They may be tempted to pull tails, bite ears, pounce on him or worse (the child----not the Grey). Though your Grey may endure such treatment in silence, his limit may eventually be exceeded and he may growl, bark or even snap. More than likely, he will come to fear the child and will withdraw from the child's presence. Either situation is undesirable and can be avoided by teaching the child the importance of being kind and gentle with all pets.

Never let kids crawl, jump or pounce on any sleeping dog. Never try to take a bone; treat or toy away and no one should put their hand between any dog and his food bowl. These precautions are not just for homes with Greyhounds, but also for homes with any breed of dog. It will probably take longer to teach the child than it will to teach the Grey. Many adults teach their children to pat a dog on the head. Most dogs really don't care for this. Most will tolerate it with dignity. Have someone beat you on the top your head for several minutes and see how annoying it can be.

Greys, like any other large breed, can be pretty formidable when frightened or harassed. Treated gently and with the respect he deserves, you should not have to worry about him in the company of children.

Remember – safety first – is the golden rule. Never leave your Greyhound – or any large dog - alone with a small child. Teach your child to be gentle with your Greyhound and make sure the child understands that the tail is not a play toy nor should the dog be ridden like a horse. Great harm could be done to the Greyhound.

Before you adopt your Greyhound, you might want to purchase a stuff toy that looks like a dog and teach your child how to “pet.” You can also buy a dog bed beforehand and teach your child that dog beds are off limits at all times. Never let your child sleep with a Greyhound – especially until you know your Greyhound. The Greyhound may regard the child as a “littermate” and treat him like one.

Small Animals and Greyhounds
Greyhounds are bred to chase and some greyhounds have a higher prey drive than others. A dog that is good with cats in one house may not be good with cats in another. Caution should be used when introducing greyhounds to small animals and they should not be left alone at home together until all adjust. Even the most small-animal safe dog in the world indoors may chase small animals outside. Outside is much different and greyhounds may chase squirrels, cats, rabbits and birds. This is, after all, what they've been bred for. It is the owner's responsibility to carefully monitor the dog when around small animals, using leashes and muzzles as needed.