Greyhounds As Pets
Greyhounds are intelligent, sensitive, gentle and sociable dogs, and readily adapt to life as a family pet.
The Greyhound is a member of the sighthound group. They have been bred to run fast and they hunt primarily by sight, and can see objects a great distance away. A reason not to let them run off lead unless they're in a secure fenced area.
If your Greyhound decides to chase something (it could be a bird, cat or piece of rubbish), you will NOT catch them. It is a great risk to take with your best friend's life.
DO GREYHOUNDS NEED A LOT OF EXERCISE?
Most people have only seen Greyhounds as they race around a track chasing a lure. They see Greyhounds as dogs that require a lot of exercise.
However, many people don't realise that Greyhounds are sprinters, not stayers! Yes - they are sighthounds, and bred to run. However, Greyhounds generally spend the majority of the day fast asleep on a soft bed, and are happy with a short walk. Some dogs appreciate the chance to run off lead in a secure area, but it is not uncommon for a dog to skip the run, only to find a nice spot in the sun for an outdoor nap!
However, they do enjoy an outing to meet new friends and to see the sights.
DO GREYHOUNDS MAKE GOOD GUARD DOGS?
Greyhounds are generally not barkers, although they may make some funny noises when excited! A couple of woofs if something is wrong are generally all you'll hear from them. They tend to greet all visitors with a waggy tail and a "lean", or a snout stuck between your legs (you're then expected to scratch their neck). Some Greyhounds do make fantastic watchdogs - they watch as strangers come into your house, then watch as they leave with your posessions!
I don't have much space - ARE GREYHOUNDS A REALLY LARGE DOG?
Females tend to range in size from 24 - 30 kg, whilst males are generally larger and approx. 30 - 38 kg in weight.
Greyhounds are great inside dogs as they can curl up into the smallest spaces! Add to that they're clean, quiet and lazy, and you have a dog very well suited to snoozing inside on the couch. Greyhounds make great dogs for apartment living, and also for elderly or frail owners as they are calm dogs and too big to trip over!
Greyhounds live for an average of 12 - 14 years, quite a long life for such a large dog, and as they are selected for performance at the track they suffer from very few heritable diseases.
Greyhounds are generally very gentle with children, but please ensure your children know how to interact safely with all dogs - how to approach, when not to approach, how to pat, not to tease, etc. And please.. always supervise dogs and children.
WHY IS IT RECOMMENDED THAT GREYHOUNDS BE INSIDE DOGS?
Greyhounds have low body fat compared to other breeds, and a very short soft coat. Due to this, they feel the cold (and the heat) more than other breeds, and it is important that they are protected from the elements. A warm coat and soft bed inside at night are important to keep your Greyhound comfortable. They can happily spend the day outside in most areas, as long as they have a coat or shade and shelter as necessary.
DO GREYHOUNDS MAKE GOOD PETS?
It is surprising how easily a Greyhound can come from a kennel to a home and make themselves comfortable! Most dogs adapt very well to life as a companion. Families must realise that their new family member has probably not experienced many things that other dogs have, such as the TV, tile floors, windows or mirrors, and will need to be shown these things. This is started in their foster home, but they will need to learn about their new environment when they're adopted.
Whilst Greyhounds aren't usually obedience trained when they come into foster care, they are very well behaved, extremely easy to housetrain and walk exceptionally well on lead. They do need to be shown the new house rules, as with any new pet, however they do settle in well.
You will know your new Greyhound is settling in once he starts to "cockroach" - rolling onto his back and waving his legs in the air. A Greyhound asleep on his back with one leg in the "flag pole" position is a welcome sight to a new family, as he is happy and feeling safe in his new home.
Greyhounds have been bred to chase, and the instinct to chase is very strong in some dogs. Most Greyhounds are very sociable and suitable companions and playmates for other dogs. Some Greyhounds will be suitable for adoption into homes with cats, although others would be far too excitable to be safe with them. The adoption assessment identifies this and rehomes each dog accordingly.
Greyhounds are generally very suitable for homes with children, however, young children (especially under-fives) should never be left to play unsupervised with a dog of any breed and should be taught how to interact properly with their four-legged family member.
