Keeping Greyhounds As Pets: A Loving Home Guide

Greyhounds are elegant, gentle, and low-maintenance companions. They make wonderful pets. These dogs usually stand between 68 to 76cm tall and weigh between 27 to 40kg. They come in a variety of colours including white, brindle, fawn, black, red, and blue.

This guide, approved by veterinarian Sarah Colegrave, will help you understand the essentials of adopting greyhounds. It covers caring for greyhound companions and their unique needs in the UK. If you’re thinking of adopting retired racing dogs, this guide is a great place to start.

Key Takeaways

Greyhounds have a lifespan of 10 to 14 years.
They typically grow to 68-76cm in height and weigh between 27-40kg.
Monthly costs for caring for a greyhound range from £80 to £120.
Veterinarian Sarah Colegrave approves the advice in this guide.
Greyhounds are low-maintenance, making them ideal companions.
They require a warm, soft bed due to their thin skin and lack of body fat.
Consider adopting retired racing dogs for a rewarding pet experience.

An Introduction to Greyhounds

Greyhounds are celebrated for their speed and calm nature. They have a long history, dating back to ancient Egypt. There, they were valued for their hunting skills and as companions.

Greyhounds from racing backgrounds need time to adjust to home life. It usually takes about six months for them to bond with their new families. They prefer a calm, consistent home where they can learn the rules. With patience, they can do very well in a domestic setting.

Despite being built for speed, greyhounds don’t need much exercise. A couple of twenty-minute walks a day keep them healthy. This makes them a great choice for city living or places with little space.

Greyhounds can live with other pets like cats, chickens, and small dogs if introduced carefully. Some may chase small animals at first. Early socialisation and using muzzles during first meetings helps keep everyone safe and happy.

Greyhounds can live up to 15 years, making them long-term companions. They retire from racing between 3 and 5 years old. They have low grooming needs and don’t shed much, appealing to those who want easy care pets.

Greyhounds adjust well to living with people, forming strong bonds. They are great with older children and enjoy being alone or with others.

Understanding greyhounds‘ needs and personalities leads to a happy relationship. From their noble beginnings to their loving nature, they add grace to any home.

Aspect	Details
Exercise Requirement	Two twenty-minute walks per day
Life Expectancy	Up to 15 years
Moulting Level	Medium
Grooming Requirements	Light
Average Speed	45 mph
Retirement Age	3 – 5 years
Adaptation Period	6 months
Interaction with Other Animals	Often good, but may need careful introduction

Greyhound Adoption Process

Starting the journey of greyhound adoption in the UK is rewarding and needs careful thought and preparation. It’s important to follow a structured approach, starting with finding a reputable adoption centre.

Finding a Reputable Adoption Centre

Choosing a trustworthy adoption centre is crucial. Places like the National Greyhound Adoption Program (NGAP) focus on the dogs’ well-being and support new owners. They have 20-40 greyhounds at a time and welcome visitors, helping you meet potential pets. Their profiles help match you with a greyhound that fits your lifestyle.

What to Expect During the Adoption

The adoption process usually takes 1-2 weeks from application to getting your pet. You’ll pay a £150 deposit and the rest when you collect your dog. This fee includes medical care like spaying/neutering and vaccinations. NGAP matches dogs with owners carefully, aiming for a good fit to reduce returns.

Visiting during open hours helps you see if you’re compatible with a dog. While you might have a preferred dog, the final choice is for the dog’s and your home’s well-being.

Home Preparation for a New Greyhound

Getting your home ready for a greyhound means making it safe and comfy. Set up a quiet area with everything your dog needs, like bedding and toys. Introduce your dog to new things slowly, like stairs, to help them adjust.

Having a routine similar to their racing days helps them settle in. Be patient and give them time to get used to their new life. Adopters should be ready to give love and patience as their greyhound settles.

“Adoption centres in the UK help ensure greyhounds have a smooth transition into their new homes, thanks to their structured adoption processes and dedicated support”

By choosing a reputable centre and preparing your home, you help greyhounds find loving homes. Understanding and meeting their needs makes for a rewarding bond with your new pet.

Understanding Greyhound Temperament

Greyhounds are known for being gentle and affectionate. They make great pets for many families. *Gentle greyhounds* get along well with adults and older kids, bringing a calm vibe to any home. They are perfect for those who want a peaceful pet, as they don’t bark much and are sensitive to their surroundings.

Most Greyhounds now live with people after being retired from racing. These dogs might need some training to adjust to living with smaller pets. With the right training, they can live peacefully with cats and smaller dogs. It’s important to socialise them early to help them fit in with new people and places.

Greyhounds are super fast, even faster than horses in short sprints. But they’re not made for long runs. They enjoy short, fun activities a few times a week. This way, they get the exercise they need without getting too tired.

When you adopt a greyhound, you need to understand their unique needs. They’re not aggressive and will freeze if they feel threatened. They’re also very sensitive to touch and can be startled easily.

Greyhounds can be timid if they’re not socialised properly. They’re sensitive emotionally, so a calm and routine-filled home is best for them. They can be independent, so training them needs patience. But their playful nature, like playing with toys, makes them special.

In conclusion, adopting a greyhound can be very rewarding. They make great companions if you understand their nature and train them right. With the right care, they’ll be loving and well-adjusted pets.

Greyhound Exercise Needs

Greyhounds are often seen as high-energy dogs, but they actually need less exercise than you might think. It’s important to make sure they get enough physical activity for their health and happiness.

Daily Walks

Greyhounds need at least two walks a day, depending on their age, health, and energy. Puppies under a year need five short walks or play sessions each day. Young adults (1-3 years) do well with 2-3 walks and some playtime.

Adults aged 4-8 years usually need two walks a day with some playtime. Seniors over nine years might only need 1-2 short walks or as much as they can handle. Regular walks help Greyhounds stay physically fit, mentally sharp, and prevent boredom.

Running and Playtime

Running and playtime like fetch or tug-of-war are great for Greyhounds. Their natural instincts make playtime good for their mind and body. But, they shouldn’t be overworked. Watch their behaviour and health to make sure they’re not too tired.

Exercise Equipment for Greyhounds

When exercising Greyhounds, comfort and safety are key. Use collars or harnesses made for sighthounds, like martingale collars, because of their thin skin. Some ex-racing Greyhounds might need a muzzle in public.

Walking gear like harnesses and reflective items can help keep them safe. For indoor exercise, interactive toys and training can keep their minds and bodies active, even in bad weather.

Getting the right amount of exercise is crucial for a Greyhound’s health and happiness. Regular walks, playtime, and the right gear meet their special needs.

Greyhound Diet Requirements

It’s vital to understand what greyhounds need to eat for their health and happiness. Their diet should consider their age, health, and how active they are. Following expert advice on feeding them will keep their diet balanced and support their well-being.

Greyhounds usually weigh between 27 to 40kg. They can eat both dry kibble and wet meat to meet their dietary needs. For a 20-30kg greyhound, give about 140-180g of dry kibble and ½ cup of wet meat twice a day. A 30-40kg greyhound needs 180-220g of dry kibble and ¾ cup in the morning and evening, plus ½ cup of wet meat at each meal.

Good dry kibble brands for greyhounds include LifeWise, Meals For Mutts, BlackHawk, Royal Canin, Leaps and Bounds, and Hills Prescription Diet. For wet meat, try Fresh Pet Food Co, Prime100, and Pets Tucker.

Some foods are bad for greyhounds.

Alcohol
Coffee
Avocado
Apple Seeds
Macadamia Nuts
Cherry Pits
Citrus
Rhubarb
Apricot Pits
Sultanas
Onion & Garlic
Raw Potatoes
Chocolate
Grapes
Salty Foods
Tomato Plants
Xylitol
Chives
Mushrooms
Uncooked Bread Dough

Don’t give greyhounds RAWHIDE bones as they can choke them. Instead, give them teeth treats like kangaroo tendons, carrots, Greenies, RAW bones, and pig ears. For their skin, coat, and nail health, add olive oil, sardines, raw egg, coconut oil, and fish oil to their food.

To stop bloat, don’t exercise greyhounds for 30 minutes before or after meals. Matching their food with their exercise helps prevent this issue.

The table below shows how much to feed greyhounds based on their weight:

Weight Category	Daily Dry Kibble	Wet Meat
20-30kg	140-180g	½ cup morning and night
30-40kg	180-220g	¾ cup morning and night

Managing greyhound nutrition well makes feeding them easy and good for their health. This ensures they stay lively and healthy.

Greyhound Care Tips

Caring for greyhounds means being consistent and understanding their unique needs. Every year, over 8,000 greyhounds retire from racing, mostly at three or four years old. They need care for both their physical and emotional health. Routine is key, especially for those coming from racing backgrounds.

One key part of greyhound care is housetraining. Greyhounds are usually clean in kennels and learn house training quickly. But, they might need patience at first. With consistent training, they pick up toileting habits fast.

Health checks are crucial for greyhound maintenance. They have special health traits, like lower thyroid levels and different blood counts. Regular vet visits help keep an eye on these health points.

Introducing greyhounds to new things should be done slowly and with care. Positive reinforcement and rewards help them feel good about new experiences. For example, DAP™ diffusers can calm them during scary times like fireworks or thunderstorms.

Exercise is also key for greyhounds. They need 30 minutes of activity each day, best in the morning and evening. They’re fast, but they don’t need long, hard workouts. Always use front-attaching harnesses to keep them safe and prevent neck injuries.

When walking greyhounds, be careful of their sudden moves. A muzzle can keep them safe. Slowly introducing them to new places helps them feel secure.

Here’s a detailed look at greyhound care:

Aspect	Details
Housing	Adapt quickly to house training
Health Checks	Require specialised veterinary care due to unique physiological differences
Exercise	30 minutes daily, use harnesses to avoid neck pressure
Emotional Well-being	Use of DAP™ diffusers and gradual introduction to new environments

Understanding and meeting greyhound needs is the secret to good care. With the right care, these loving dogs can live happy and healthy lives in their new homes.

Grooming Your Greyhound

Caring for a Greyhound means knowing what they need. Regular grooming keeps their coat and hygiene in check. Let’s look at the key steps for grooming and keeping them in great shape.

Brushing and Coat Maintenance

Brush your Greyhound’s coat once a week to remove loose hairs and keep it shiny. Even though they have short fur, they shed. Regular brushing with a soft brush helps manage this. Some Greyhounds might only need a bath once or twice a year to keep their skin from getting dry.

Feeding them sardines weekly can help prevent dry skin and keep their coat shiny. It’s important to protect them from the sun because their thin coats make them prone to sunburn. If your Greyhound has bald thigh syndrome, adding cooked oats to their diet can help with hair growth.

Teeth, Nails, and Ears Care

Looking after a Greyhound’s hygiene is more than just brushing their coat. Brushing their teeth several times a week with special toothpaste and a toothbrush is key for their dental health. Check their nails every 2 to 4 weeks to prevent discomfort and joint problems.

Do weekly ear checks and clean them with a vet-recommended solution to stop wax buildup and infections. Use baby wipes or cotton balls for cleaning, especially for floppy-eared Greyhounds. Always check and clean their paws to avoid wounds and irritation.

Grooming Task	Frequency
Brushing Coat	At least once a week
Bathing	Every 6-8 weeks
Nail Trimming	Every 2-4 weeks
Teeth Brushing	Several times a week
Ear Cleaning	Weekly

Greyhound Health Issues

Knowing about health in greyhounds is key for owners. Regular vet visits and catching health problems early can make a big difference. Greyhounds are usually healthy but face some common health issues.

Dental problems affect up to 40% of greyhounds, more than other breeds. Pannus can harm their corneas. They’re also at a higher risk of developing aggressive bone cancer, osteosarcoma.

Bloat is a serious issue that needs quick action. Other risks include Progressive Retinal Atrophy and Von Willebrand’s Disease. Keeping greyhounds healthy means being aware and taking steps to prevent problems.

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) and the Kennel Club run screening programs for these issues. Genetic tests are available for inherited conditions like Greyhound polyneuropathy, linked to the NDRG1 gene. Early detection is key, even if there’s no cure.

Owners should seek immediate veterinary care if their greyhound shows signs of bloat, such as standing and stretching, drooling, a distended abdomen, and retching without producing vomit.

Greyhounds are sensitive to anesthesia due to a lack of cytochrome p450 enzyme. They may bleed more after surgery. Preventive surgeries like gastropexy help prevent bloat in deep-chested breeds.

By learning about greyhound veterinary care and keeping up with health checks, owners can help their greyhounds live longer, happier lives. Taking care of their health not only adds years to their life but also makes their life better.

Training Techniques for Greyhounds (Not included in the final 9 sections)

Training Greyhounds is all about knowing what makes them tick. They love positive reinforcement, so using treats and praise works well. This approach helps teach them what to do and what not to do. Their calm and loving nature means they do best in a trusting and patient training setting.

A 2020 study looked into how different training methods affect Greyhounds. It showed the importance of considering their health and overall wellbeing. This positive way of training helps them learn new skills and improves their mood and behaviour.

Here are some tips for training your Greyhound:

Consistency: Stick to one approach and set of commands to avoid confusion.
Patience: Greyhounds might need more time to learn some commands, so be patient.
Short Sessions: Short, regular training sessions work better than long, rare ones.
Socialisation: Introduce Greyhounds to different places and situations early on.
Environmental Factors: Keep the training area calm and free from distractions.

Getting your Greyhound involved in everyday activities can also help with training. For example, a daily walk not only exercises them but also reinforces their leash training. Interactive play can also help them remember what they’ve learned in training.

Here’s a comparison of different training methods and how effective they are, based on expert advice:

Training Technique	Effectiveness
Positive Reinforcement	Highly Effective
Clicker Training	Moderately Effective
Aversive Training	Less Effective
Relationship-based Training	Highly Effective

Experts say building a strong bond with your Greyhound makes training better. Watching how they react and adjusting your approach helps too. It’s also key to remember that every Greyhound is different, affecting how they respond to training.

Training is an ongoing process. Regularly going over what they’ve learned keeps them well-trained for different situations. Training every day not only keeps them disciplined but also strengthens your bond with them.

Keeping Greyhounds As Pets

Adopting a greyhound can be a rewarding experience. It’s important to know the unique aspects of caring for these gentle dogs. This section will cover the benefits and things to consider when keeping greyhounds as pets.

Benefits of Having a Greyhound

Greyhounds are becoming more popular in the UK for good reasons. They are known for being gentle and calm. This makes them great pets for families with children, if they are socialised well. The adoption fee for a greyhound is £150, which includes a leather collar, lead, and a muzzle.

They don’t need a lot of exercise, just a couple of 30-minute walks a day. This makes them suitable for different lifestyles. Feeding them is also affordable, with costs starting at £7 a week.

For feeding, smaller greyhounds get 1.5 mugs of dry food twice a day. Bigger dogs get 2 mugs twice a day, plus canned food or meat juices. Greyhounds are known for being calm and friendly, making them great companions.

They are also healthy pets when looked after properly, which means fewer vet bills. Basic insurance for greyhounds can be as low as £5.75 a month. But, comprehensive plans can be over £60 a month, giving owners peace of mind.

Challenges to Consider

While greyhounds have many benefits, there are also challenges to consider for a happy relationship. They have a strong prey drive from their breeding, which means they might chase smaller pets like cats or rodents. It’s best to test their behaviour around cats and be careful with them.

Until you’re sure they won’t chase or bite other dogs, greyhounds should wear a muzzle. When introducing greyhounds to young children, do it carefully as it can be stressful for both.

It’s important to watch how much exercise they get. Younger greyhounds need more, but older ones are happy with a couple of 30-minute walks a day. However, ex-racing greyhounds might prefer shorter walks due to less stamina.

Setting up a home for a greyhound includes buying things like a feeding stand, ID disc, winter coat, poop bags, and grooming tools. These items can be a big initial cost.

Aspect	Details
Adoption Fee	£150, includes leather collar, lead, and muzzle
Weekly Feeding Cost	Minimum £7
Insurance	£5.75 to over £60 per month
Feeding Portion	Smaller dogs: 1.5 mugs of dry feed twice daily Bigger dogs: 2 mugs of dry feed twice daily + canned food/meat juices
Exercise	2 x 30-minute walks per day

Knowing the benefits and challenges can help you and your greyhound have a happy life together.

Conclusion (Not included in the final 9 sections)

Bringing a Greyhound into your home is a deeply rewarding choice. They offer companionship and loyalty like no other. To make the adoption smooth, pick a reputable centre and get your home ready.

It’s important to know about the health issues they might have. Make sure they get a balanced diet, regular exercise, and consistent grooming. Training them with patience and positivity helps them fit into your family better.

Your effort in caring for them ensures they live a happy, healthy life. Adopting a Greyhound means welcoming a new family member. The joy and companionship they give are worth the hard work and love you put into their care.

FAQ

Are Greyhounds good pets?

Yes, Greyhounds are great pets. They are gentle and friendly, perfect for families with older kids.

What are the exercise needs of a Greyhound?

Greyhounds need daily walks and some playtime. They love to run but shouldn’t do it too much. They have limited stamina.

How should I prepare my home for a Greyhound?

Get your home ready by setting up a quiet, comfy spot with their bed, food, water bowls, and toys. Introduce them to new things like stairs slowly.

What is the adoption process for a Greyhound?

Adopting a Greyhound means finding a good centre, which your vet can suggest. The centre will help you pick and adopt a Greyhound that fits your home and lifestyle.

How often should a Greyhound be groomed?

Grooming is key for Greyhounds. Brush them daily to keep their coat nice. They also need regular dental care, nail trims, and ear cleaning.

What diet is suitable for Greyhounds?

Greyhounds need a diet that matches their age, health, and how active they are. A vet can recommend the right food for them.

Are Greyhounds sociable with other pets?

Greyhounds can live with other pets if they’re socialised early. They might need training to control their chase instinct with smaller animals.

What health issues are common in Greyhounds?

Greyhounds might face some health problems. Regular vet visits can spot and treat these early, keeping them healthy.

Do Greyhounds require a lot of exercise?

Greyhounds don’t need a lot of exercise. A good daily walk and some playtime is enough. But, don’t overdo it as they’re sprinters, not marathon runners.