Frequently Asked Questions about Greyhounds
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Are greyhounds hyperactive or do they require a lot of exercise?
No, greyhounds are not hyperactive. They are on the lazy side and enjoy lounging around with their new family. They do enjoy moderate exercise, however, they are not dependent upon it. A brisk walk once a day or a quick run in the back yard is more than enough to sustain good health. They can sleep 18-20 hours per day. Back to TopHow old will my retired racing greyhound be and what is its life expectancy?The average adopted greyhound is 2 to 5 years of age. They have an average life expectancy of 12 to 15 years. This will be at the very least a ten year commitment to your knew addition to your family. Please take your time deciding whether you are ready to adopt, this is not a decision that should be taken lightly. Back to TopHow big are greyhounds and what colors are they?A female greyhound stands between 23-26 inches at their shoulders and weighs between 50-65 pounds. A male is bigger, 26-30 inches at their shoulder and weighs between 65-80 pounds. They come in fawn, red, blue, white, black, several shades of brindle, or white with a combination of these colors. Back to TopAre they good with cats and other dogs?
Flash Calaf and Archie Approximately half of retired racing greyhounds can be placed with cats. We cat test every greyhound that comes to GAA. We use a live cat to gage their reaction, however, a greyhound that tests cat-safe may react differently once at home. Greyhounds are friendly by nature and due to their constant exposure to other greyhounds at the kennel they are very social. Please let your adoption coordinator know if you have cats or dogs in your household, both on your application and during your home interview. We instruct our adopters on the proper method to introduce their new greyhound to their cat or dog. Back to TopWhy do greyhounds have to be kept on a leash?
Greyhounds are members of the sight hound family and can see up to 1/2 mile away. They are built for speed and can reach up to speeds of 40-45 miles per hour in 2-3 strides. For this reason they must never be let off their leash, unless they are in a securely fenced in area. GAA does not accept electrical fences, tie outs of any kind, or retractable leashes. They are not secure and a tie out can be deadly. Back to TopHow long will it take my retired racing greyhound to bond with me and adjust to life as a pet?Greyhounds thrive on human companionship. They are pack animals and will bond with their new pack, your family, within a matter of days. Getting used to being a pet and a new routine may take some time and can be stressful. If you are consistent with their schedule, they will adapt to their new routine within a couple of weeks. However, it may take a little longer for them to get used to being a pet and playing with toys. This also depends on the nature of the greyhound, every dog is different, but given time and understanding the transformation will become noticeable. Back to TopAre greyhounds good with children?
Domino King
If a child becomes to overbearing whey will usually walk away rather than snap or growl. However, we insist that an adult supervise all children and greyhounds, every dog has their limits. GAA child tests any greyhounds that may be placed with children in a household. There is required reading for all adopters with children. How difficult is it to housetrain a greyhound? A retired racing greyhound is accustom to being let out 4 or 5 times a day at the track. A similar routine in their new household will make housebreaking relatively easy. An adopter with patience and common sense along with the greyhound's cleanliness makes the process of housebreaking easier. Using a crate can help your greyhound adjust to its new environment and routine. What will I need to have prior to my greyhound coming home?
A greyhound needs a warm, safe environment, high quality food, a soft bed, a raised food dish, and GAA strongly recommends a crate.
Greyhounds are used to be crated and some of them need it for a
sense of security. While most greyhounds will eventually
not want to use their crate, some truly enjoy their own space. Due to their low body fat they will need a coat to wear outside when the temperature dips under 40 degrees.
Will my life change once I adopt a retired racing greyhound? Yes. You will experience love and loyalty from your greyhound the likes of which you have never known. People who want to know more about your new best friend will stop you on your walks. You may start attending social gatherings and volunteer functions related to greyhound adoption.
You may even notice that greyhound people rarely have just one
greyhound. Duncan, Adam, and Joy |
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Gracie and Lacie
Power
Trixie
enjoying her space
