Why Adopt a Retired Racing Greyhound?
Swift, Sweet, Loving, Beautiful, and Graceful! – All these describe a Greyhound. Take a good long and deep look into a Greyhound’s eyes and you will be hooked! Greyhounds generally are good natured, calm, gentle, smart and loving with people. They’ve lived with other greyhounds most of their life and the majority enjoy socializing with other dogs. Greyhounds want to hang out with you and go just about anywhere you go! They are well known as the 45 m.p.h. couch potatoes and adore soft things like pillows and warm beds. 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.
Greyhounds are superbly trained athletes. Greyhounds are an ancient breed that sprang out of the desert. The Egyptians worshipped the Greyhound as a God and you can see their ancestors inscribed on the tombs of Kings. They truly come from an old and noble lineage. It was believed that the Greyhound was permitted in the next world to give information and evidence about mankind. The Greyhound is the only dog mentioned in the King James Version of the Bible (Proverbs 30:29-31).
Since this breed has become a tool of those who compete, this noble breed now looks to us for help to adjust to the modern world and, hopefully, to a forever safe, secure and loving retirement home.
Greyhounds come in many different color combinations. Males typically weigh 75-85 pounds and females weigh about 55-65 pounds. Greyhounds are around 2 to 5 years of age when they enter our program and will live to be 12 to 14 years-old with love and good care.
Greyhounds like peace and quiet, and will sleep up to 18 hours a day. Greyhounds are intelligent and not predators as some people believe. It is just 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 few strides. Greyhounds have no knowledge of cars. Great care must be taken to insure that they do not get loose. Greyhounds are strictly inside dogs. They have low body fat and do not tolerate extreme cold or heat.
Generally, they are very 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. Adopters need to understand that each Greyhound has its own individual personality and they must be tolerant and willing to help the Greyhound adjust to its new environment.
If you do not have a fenced yard, you will have to walk your Greyhound several times a day, no matter how rotten the weather is or how tired or sick you are. This requires a lot of commitment from you. We recommend that before you adopt your greyhound that you set your alarm clock early and go for a walk first thing in the morning rain or shine to see whether leash walking is for you. If you do not have a fenced yard, we recommend that you take your Greyhound to run in a friend’s fenced yard once a week. Greyhounds love running free off leash and do better with moderate exercise.
Retired greyhounds have unique qualities that may present some challenges; however, once they adapt to your home and lifestyle, they will be one of the most endearing animal companions you’ve ever known.
Senior Greyhounds are very special to us. We often have seniors looking for homes – – they are Guaranteed to occupy a very special place in Your Heart! Please consider giving a senior Greyhound a forever couch!
If you do not think a Greyhound is the right breed of dog for you, please adopt a dog in need rather than purchase one from a breeder or pet store.