Adopting a greyhound can be a life-changing experience, but it's essential to understand their unique needs and characteristics.
Greyhounds are bred for speed, reaching up to 45 miles per hour, making them a high-energy breed that requires regular exercise.
They are also known for their calm and gentle nature, often referred to as "40 mph couch potatoes" due to their ability to relax and sleep a lot.
Greyhounds are typically quiet dogs, with a low bark frequency, making them a great choice for apartment dwellers.
They have a short, smooth coat that requires minimal grooming.
Greyhounds are generally healthy dogs, but they can be prone to certain health issues, such as bloat and heart problems.
Regular veterinary check-ups and a balanced diet can help prevent these issues.
Greyhounds are a popular breed, with many rescue organizations and breeders available to help you find your perfect companion.
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Find a Companion
If you're looking for a companion, consider adopting a greyhound from a reputable organization. National Greyhound Adoption Program is a great place to start.
Petfinder.com and Rescueme.org are online platforms that can connect you with greyhound adopters in your area. You can also check out local groups like Golden State Greyhound Adoption or Greyhound Friends for Life.
Greyhound Rescue of Idaho and Greyhound Rescue of New England are just two examples of organizations that work to rehome greyhounds in need. Michigan Greyhound Connection and MotorCity Greyhound Rescue are others.
Fast Friends Greyhound Adoption and Grateful Greyhounds are great resources if you're looking for a greyhound in a specific region. New Jersey Greyhound Adoption Program and Kindred Spirits Greyhound Adoption are also worth checking out.
Homes for Hounds and Greyhound Rescue Austin are just a couple of the many organizations that work tirelessly to find forever homes for greyhounds. Greyhounds Unlimited and Greyhound Gang are others.
Amazing Greys and Busselton Greyhound Awareness are great resources if you're looking for a greyhound in a specific region. Every Greyhound and Friends of the Hound are also worth checking out.
Greyhound Adoptions WA and Greyhound Rescue Australia are great resources if you're looking for a greyhound in Australia. Greyhound Safety Net and Greyt Greys Rescue are also worth checking out.
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Gumtree Greys and Rescued Greyhounds NSW Central Coast are great resources if you're looking for a greyhound in Australia. SA Greyhound Adoption and Greyhounds Rescue Belgium are also worth checking out.
Adopt-A-Greyhound of Central Canada and Adopt a Greyhound (Branch of Retired Greyhound Trust) are great resources if you're looking for a greyhound in Canada. Bristol Dog Action Welfare Group and Castledon Greyhound Rescue are also worth checking out.
Greyhound Temperament and Upkeep
Greyhounds are quiet, calm, and extremely well-mannered indoors, making them a great addition to many families. They are good with other dogs and pets if raised with them.
However, outdoors, they may tend to chase small things that move, so it's essential to provide a safe and controlled environment for them to run around. They are also reserved with strangers and can be very sensitive, sometimes even timid.
In terms of exercise, Greyhounds need daily runs or longer walks on leash, as they love to run and chase outdoors. They can easily run into danger at great speed unless exercised in a safe area.
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Temperament
Greyhounds are known to be quiet, calm, and extremely well-mannered indoors. They make excellent family friends, even for apartment dwellers.
One of the most notable things about Greyhounds is that they require little exercise, earning them the nickname "45-per-mile couch potatoes." They spend most of their time napping around the house.
Adult Greyhounds stand between 23 and 30 inches at the shoulder and weigh 50 to 85 pounds. This size makes them suitable for many living situations.
Greyhounds are good with other dogs, and with other pets if raised with them. However, they may tend to chase any small thing that moves outdoors.
They are reserved with strangers, very sensitive, and sometimes timid.
Upkeep
Greyhounds need daily exercise to stay happy and healthy. They're sprinters, not endurance runners, so short bursts of activity are perfect for them.
A safe location is a must for exercise, whether it's a fenced yard or a designated off-leash area. This will prevent them from running into danger at great speed.
Greyhounds love to run and chase outdoors, it's in their nature. They'll appreciate the freedom to do so safely.
They're not picky about exercise routes, as long as it's safe and fun for them. A short walk around the block can be just as enjoyable as a longer run.
Greyhounds are total softies when it comes to comfort. They need soft bedding and warmth to feel cozy and relaxed.
Their coat is extremely easy to care for, needing only occasional brushing to remove dead hair. This makes them a great choice for busy owners or those new to dog ownership.
Health
Greyhounds are prone to certain health issues, and it's essential to be aware of them if you're considering bringing one home.
Osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer, is a major health concern for Greyhounds. This is a serious condition that requires prompt veterinary attention.
Esophageal achalasia and gastric torsion are also minor concerns for Greyhounds. These conditions can cause discomfort and potentially life-threatening complications if left untreated.
Some Greyhounds may also be affected by SAS, DCM, and osteogenesis imperfecta, although these conditions are less common.
To monitor your Greyhound's health, it's recommended to have cardiac tests performed.
With proper care, Greyhounds can live for 10-13 years.
Breed Information
The Greyhound breed has a rich history that dates back to Ancient Egypt, where long-legged hounds were depicted on tombs and are thought to be the prototype of sighthounds.
These dogs were popular throughout Europe for their hunting prowess due to their athletic, streamlined bodies and acute sight.
In Britain, the Greyhound was developed and held such prestige that a law was passed in the Middle Ages stating only royalty and nobility could hunt with them.
About This Breed
The Greyhound is a breed that's been around for thousands of years, with depictions of long-legged hounds on Ancient Egyptian tombs serving as the prototype of sighthounds.
These dogs were highly valued for their athletic ability and acute sight, making them popular throughout Europe for hunting.
The Greyhound was developed in Britain, where a law was passed in the Middle Ages stating that only royalty and nobility could hunt with them, a testament to their prestige.
The sport of racing greyhounds was first held on an oval racetrack in 1926.
The name Greyhound may come from Graius, meaning Greek, or from the Latin gradus, denoting high grade.
By Saxon time, Greyhounds were well established in Britain and were valued by both commoners for their ability to put food on the table and by nobility for the sport of the chase.
The breed has undergone significant changes over the centuries, with the show ring Greyhound being larger and heavier than the racing track Greyhound.
Hound Breed Group
The Hound breed group includes dogs originally used for hunting either by scent or by sight. Many breeds in this group are known for their dignified nature.
The scent hounds, such as the Beagle and Bloodhound, are excellent at tracking their quarry. They require a significant amount of exercise to keep them happy and healthy.
Sight hounds, on the other hand, rely on their speed and agility to catch their prey. Breeds like the Whippet and Greyhound are built for speed and can reach impressive velocities.
Broaden your view: How to Teach a Dog to Search by Scent
Sources
- Your Greyhound's Racing History (greysave.org)
- National Greyhound Adoption Program (ngap.org)
- Rescueme.org (rescueme.org)
- Galgo Podenco Support (galgopodencosupport.org)
- Golden State Greyhound Adoption (goldengreyhounds.com)
- Greyhound Friends for Life (greyhoundfriendsforlife.org)
- Operation Greyhound (operationgreyhound.com)
- Galgo Rescue International Network (GRIN) (galgorescue.org)
- GREAT (great-greyhound.org)
- Greyhound Rescue of Idaho (greyhoundrescueofidaho.org)
- Greyhound Friends (greyhound.org)
- Greyhound Rescue of New England (greyhoundrescuene.org)
- Michigan Greyhound Connection (michgreys.com)
- MotorCity Greyhound Rescue (motorcitygreyhoundrescue.org)
- Minnesota Greyhound Rescue (minnesotagreyhoundrescue.org)
- Grateful Greyhounds (gratefulgreys.com)
- New Jersey Greyhound Adoption Program (facebook.com)
- Kindred Spirits Greyhound Adoption (ksdadopt.com)
- Homes for Hounds (homes4hounds.com)
- Greyhound Rescue Austin (greyhoundrescueaustin.com)
- Greyhounds Unlimited (greyhoundsunlimited.org)
- Greyhound Gang (greyhoundgang.org)
- Future4Podencos (facebook.com)
- Adopta un Galgo (adoptaungalgoenargentina.com)
- Proyecto Galgo Argentina (facebook.com)
- Busselton Greyhound Awareness (facebook.com)
- Every Greyhound (egreyhound.com.au)
- Free the Hounds (freethehounds.com.au)
- Friends of the Hound (friendsofthehound.org.au)
- Greyhound Adoptions WA (greyhoundadoptionswa.com.au)
- Greyhound Rescue Australia (greyhoundrescue.com.au)
- Greyhound Safety Net (greyhoundsafetynet.org)
- GreyhoundAngels of Western Australia (facebook.com)
- Greyt Greys Rescue (greytgreys.org)
- Gumtree Greys (gumtreegreys.com.au)
- Homeward Bound Hounds (facebook.com)
- Rescued Greyhounds NSW Central Coast (facebook.com)
- SA Greyhound Adoption (facebook.com)
- Greyhounds in Nood Belgium (greyhoundsinnood.be)
- Greyhounds Rescue Belgium (greyhoundsrescue.be)
- Adopt-A-Greyhound of Central Canada (adopt-a-greyhound.com)
- Fundación Galgos Chile (galgos.cl)
- Galgos de la Estrella (galgos-de-la-estrella.cz)
- Adopt a Greyhound (Branch of Retired Greyhound Trust) (adoptagreyhound.co.uk)
- Bristol Dog Action Welfare Group (dawg.org.uk)
- Castledon Greyhound Rescue (castledongreyhoundrescue.co.uk)
- Celia Cross Greyhound Trust (celiacross.org.uk)
- Clarks Farm Greyhound Rescue (Branch of Retired Greyhound Trust) (clarksfarmgreyhounds.org.uk)
- Croftview Rehoming Kennels (rgtcroftview.co.uk)
- Erin Hounds (erinhounds.co.uk)
- Evesham Greyhound and Lurcher Rescue (lurcher.org.uk)
- Forever Hounds Trust (foreverhoundstrust.org)
- G.R.A.C.E. (grace-greyhoundrescue.co.uk)
- Greyhound Gap (greyhoundgap.org.uk)
- Greyhound Rescue North Yorkshire and Lincolnshire (greyhoundrescue.org.uk)
- Greyhound Rescue Shropshire & Borders (greyhoundtrustshropshireandborders.org.uk)
- Greyhound Rescue South Yorkshire (grsy.co.uk)
- Greyhounds in Need (greyhoundsinneed.com)
- Hampshire Greyhound Rescue (hantsgreyrescue.co.uk)
- Hectors Greyhound Rescue (hectorsgreyhoundrescue.org)
- Kerry Greyhounds UK (kerrygreyhounds.co.uk)
- Makants Greyhound Rescue NW (makants.uk)
- Norfolk Greyhound Rescue (norfolkgreyhoundrescue.co.uk)
- Northern Greyhound Rescue (northerngreyhoundrescue.org.uk)
- Retired Greyhound Trust (retiredgreyhounds.co.uk)
- Tia Rescue (tia-rescue.org)
- Wimbledon Greyhound Welfare (facebook.com)
- Association Aide Aux Levriers Martyrs (levriers-martyrs.com)
- Galgos Ethique Europe (over-blog.org)
- Levriers en Detresse (levriers-en-detresse.org)
- Greyhound Forever (greyhoundforever.de)
- Greyhound Protection International e.V. (greyhoundprotection.de)
- Greyhounds Need Friends (greyhounds-need-friends.org)
- ProGreyhound (progreyhound.de)
- Dog Rescue Ireland (dogrescueireland.com)
- Great Hounds in Need (greathounds.eu)
- Greyhound Rescue Association Ireland (greyhoundrescueassociationireland.com)
- Homes for Unwanted Greyhounds (homesforunwantedgreyhounds.ie)
- Ireland Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ispca.ie)
- PAWS Animal Rescue (paws.ie)
- The Haven Rescue (facebook.com)
- Pet levrieri (petlevrieri.it)
- SOS Levrieri (soslevrieri.it)
- Greyhound Rescue Holland (greyhoundsrescue.nl)
- Southern Cross Greyhound Adoptions (facebook.com)
- Dumfriesshire and Cumbria Greyhound Rescue (dcgr.org.uk)
- Greyhound Rescue Fife (greyhoundrescuefife.com)
- RoyalHeart Greyhound Rescue (royalheartgreyhoundrescue.com)
- Scottish Borders Retired Greyhound Trust (greyhoundtrust.org.uk)
- Scottish Greyhound Sanctuary (scottishgreyhoundsanctuary.com)
- Greyhound Welfare SA (facebook.com)
- Sighthound Rescue SA (facebook.com)
- Galgo Rescue International Network (galgorescue.org)
- Galgos 112 (galgos112.es)
- Galgos del Sol (galgosdelsol.org)
- Hundar Utan Hem (Dogs Without a Home) (hundarutanhem.se)
- Greyhound Rescue Wales (greyhoundrescuewales.co.uk)
- Hope Rescue (hoperescue.org.uk)
- Retired Greyhound racers take it easy in the Big Easy (nola.com)
- Nearly 200 greyhounds rescued after Tijuana dog racing track closes (fox5sandiego.com)
- Family Adopts Outdoor Greyhound, His Constant Smile Says It All (iheartdogs.com)
- The community spirit behind fostering greyhounds (australiandoglover.com)
- 'Tenants who have pets often stay' - greyhound rehomers (rnz.co.nz)
- $20,000 a dog: dodgy greyhound industry rehoming can’t keep up with overbreeding (crikey.com.au)
- Finding greyhounds at a place down under (coastalpoint.com)
- Ready Pet GO! Greyhound Adoption of Ohio visits 3News (wkyc.com)
- Evesham Greyhound and Lurcher Rescue's plea for donations (eveshamjournal.co.uk)
- Dogged determination: as U.S. tracks close, greyhound rescue sets sights on retired racers overseas (wkyc.com)
- Southern Arizona Greyhound Adoption is helping dogs go from the track to a forever home (kold.com)
- Instagram (instagram.com)
- Donate to GALT (greytstore.org)
- Greyhound Dog & Puppy Breed and Adoption Info (petfinder.com)
- Greyhound | Breeds A to Z (thekennelclub.org.uk)
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