Why Adopt A Greyhound?

Giving a retired racer a forever home can be a rewarding experience for almost everyone. Greyhounds begin their lives like no other breed, destined to be raised in the racing environment. They are very competitive athletes yet gentle and sensitive by nature, making them wonderful canine companions.

What Literature Is Available On Greyhounds?

To help individuals and families determine if a Greyhound is right for them, GPA Tri-State does ask that you read at least 1 of the following books. Many local libraries have a variety of Greyhound books or they are available through local bookstores.

Adopting the Retired Racing Greyhound by Cynthia A. Branigan

The Guide to Adopting an Ex-Racing Greyhound by Carolyn Raeke

Retired Racing Greyhounds for Dummies by Lee Livingood

Families with children under the age of 6 are strongly urged to read Childproofing your Dog
by Brian Kilcommons and Sarah Wilson.

What Does It Cost To Adopt A Greyhound?

A donation of $250 is required which goes towards fostering expenses including the costs incurred for spaying or neutering, dental, heartworm check and preventative, parasite testing/treatment and vaccinations as necessary. Adopters receive an adoption manual, martingale collar and leash set, GPA ID tag and turnout muzzle with their adopted Greyhound.

How Long Is The Adoption Process?

In general, after an adoption application is received, it is processed within 2 to 4 weeks. Availability of Greyhounds from the groups we work with along with specifics that the family may be looking for can have an effect on the time it takes to find just the right Greyhound for your home.

Are Greyhounds Good With Children?

The answer is both yes and no! Greyhounds are generally very tolerant of children, but remember they are canines. As with any breed of dog, small children must be taught respect for pets and must always be supervised when they are interacting with any Greyhound. GPA Tri-State will make every effort possible to match lifestyles to the personality of the Greyhound but the ultimate responsibility for a successful transition into the home rests with the human family members.

Can Greyhounds Be Trusted Off Lead?

The short answer is NEVER! Greyhounds are sight hounds and can spot a small animal or moving object as far as a half mile away. Many have extremely high prey drives and when focused on the chase, they will not respond to any verbal commands. They have no concept of roads/traffic and can become lost in seconds if they get too far away. No matter how long you have had your Greyhound and how much you may trust him to come back when called, it is not worth risking your Greyhound’s life.

Are Greyhounds Housebroken?

Greyhounds typically come to us kennel-trained, meaning they do not relieve themselves in their “house”. It is extremely important that a lot of time be spent with a Greyhound for the first several days after making the transition to a new home. The Greyhound must understand that “outside” is where to go. GPA Tri-State utilizes foster homes so the Greyhound has a head start in learning the ropes of being a house pet - however, we cannot guarantee behavior so families should be prepared for a possible accident or two as the Greyhound settles in. It helps to establish a routine early in regard to regular potty trips!

What Additional Costs Will Be Incurred With Greyhound Adoption?

During the lifetime of the majority of Greyhounds, additional costs that will be incurred include: Annual vaccinations or titers, teeth cleaning, ID tags, nail trims, heartworm preventative, flea/tick preventative if needed, a good quality dog food, treats, dog beds, toys, etc. Optional costs depend on the individual and may include things like sweaters or coats, extra beds, boarding while you’re away, etc.

What Is The Life Expectancy Of A Greyhound?

In general, their life expectancy is 12 to 15 years. Regular veterinary care will help to maintain
a Greyhound’s good health.

Do Greyhounds Need A Lot Of Exercise?

Greyhounds are the fastest breed of dog but they are sprinters without a lot of endurance unless they are gradually built up to it. A retired racer is quite content to be a “couch potato” and spend most of the day sleeping. Exercising with walks and opportunities to run in the fenced yard are all that’s required. Greyhounds cannot be allowed to run off-leash in an unfenced area.

What Kind Of Grooming Do Greyhounds Require?

A Greyhound’s coat is short, sleek and usually experiences only minimal shedding so they stay sweet-smelling for long periods between baths. While frequent bathing is unnecessary, these dogs do seem to enjoy the occasional brushing with a hound glove.