Frequently asked questions regarding Greyhounds
What qualities make a racing
greyhound a good pet?
They are friendly, affectionate, gentle, quiet, sweet, loyal, clean, loving,
sensitive, trusting and good natured.
How long will it take for an
adult greyhound to bond with the new owner and adjust to life as a pet?
Greyhounds are very friendly and thrive on human companionship. Consequently,
bonding is usually established within a matter of days, and getting used to a
new environment and routine may take a few weeks. The older dogs tend to be
better mannered from the start, while the younger dogs are generally more
curious and active.
Is a racing greyhound difficult
to housetrain?
At the track, greyhounds are accustomed to being let out of their crates
several times a day to relieve themselves. Because of this, a similar routine in
a new home makes housetraining relatively easy. When the adopter employs
patience and common sense, the greyhound's natural cleanliness will assist in
the process. The use of a crate can be of great assistance in helping the dog
adjust to a new routine and environment.
What provisions need to be
furnished by the adopter?
A greyhound needs a safe, warm "inside the home" environment, good quality food,
basic annual veterinary care, monthly heartworm preventative, a soft bed and
lots of love and companionship.
What are the colors of a
greyhound?
Black, fawn, red, blue, several shades of brindle, and white with a combination
of these colors.
Why do greyhounds have to be
kept on a leash?
Because greyhounds are "sight hounds", they follow their instincts and run
without heed and therefore can be off leash only when in a fenced and totally
enclosed area.
Can greyhounds be obedience
trained?
Many former racing greyhounds have earned obedience titles. However, greyhounds
do not possess the same predilection for taking commands as the working breeds.
All training must be done with a light encouraging hand. Positive reinforcement
and/or food are the best incentives for both formal and informal training. Leash
rules must be heeded, even with a highly obedience-trained greyhound, as voice
control is not sufficient in a dangerous situation.
Do females make better pets
than males?
No, males and females make equally good pets. The females are generally more
independent, and the males are somewhat more affectionate.
Will adopting a greyhound
change my life?
Yes. You will have satisfaction of owning a wonderful pet and will gain the
companionship of a devoted, affectionate and loyal friend.
Are Greyhounds
vicious ?
Nothing could be further from the truth. Greyhounds are required to wear a
muzzle when racing; however they are very gentle dogs and are very well
socialized with both other dogs and humans. Greyhounds are used extensively in
the United States for therapy dogs in nursing homes and hospitals because of
their gentle patient natures.
But I want a
younger dog.
Some people feel that the retired greyhound is too old to adopt. However, there
are many advantages to adopting an adult dog. Adult dogs generally will not
cause the problems that a puppy will such as chewing your possessions, they are
generally toilet trained and their behavior is more stable and predictable. When
you adopt an adult dog it is easier to assess the personality of the dog and its
compatibility with your family. Older dogs easily transfer their affections to
their new family and thrive on the individual attention.
How are Greyhounds in the
car ?
Most greyhounds have traveled extensively in their racing career and really
enjoy trips in the car. They are generally quiet and well behaved in a vehicle.
How do Greyhounds
adapt to living in a house ?
Most racing greyhounds have lived in kennels or on farms all their lives and are not
familiar with ordinary things around the house. They need to be introduced to
children, pets, stairs, vacuum cleaners, windows, mirrors, traffic, etc.
Greyhounds, however, adjust very quickly to living in a home.
Will my new Greyhound cope with being left alone while I go to work ?
We recommend that you adopt your greyhound when you have a few days off to
spend with it and help it settle in. Once the dog is familiar with the house and
is used to you leaving for short periods and returning, it will be quite
confident to stay on its own. Or adopt two, everyone loves a buddy!
Can I tie my Greyhound up ?
NO - Absolutely not. Because of the great speeds that greyhounds can reach
from a standing start and their delicate long necks, they should never be
tethered or placed on a running wire.
What will PRH
provide when I adopt a dog ?
Project Racing Home's primary aim is to find loving homes for retired
greyhounds. To achieve this each dog is assessed for its suitability prior to
adoption. Before adoption each dog is fully vaccinated, flea treated, de-sexed,
teeth cleaned and heartworm tested. Each dog is supplied with a Personal Pet
Portfolio, collar, muzzle and ID tag. When you adopt a dog, PRH will provide
advice on feeding and other aspects of care. When a dog is placed with you, a 14
day trial period is undertaken to ensure that the dog and your family are happy
with each other. During this time, if you find that the dog is not suited you
may return the dog to PRH and a more suitable dog will be found for you. PRH
also provides ongoing support and advice for you and will help to solve any
issues as they arise. PRH hosts an email group and organizes various social
events for owners and dogs.
Email us with any questions you may
have
