Adopting a Retired Greyhound

The main qualifications for adopting a Greyhound are simply that you want one and are prepared to do some training! There’s a wide variety of sizes and temperament, so it’s likely that we can find a suitable Greyhound for you. From our point of view the basic requirements are the same as for any dog:

• You’re intending to provide a permanent loving home for them, as a pet not for use in racing or any form of sport.

• They won’t be left on their own for long periods (for most dogs, half a day is the maximum).

• There is a secure garden. It does not have to be big.

• They will be walked for at least 20 minutes twice a day, every day.

• They will have their own space in the house where they can lie comfortably, warm and undisturbed.

• You’ll need to be able to afford food and vet’s bills.

Greyhounds come in a range of colours—black, brindle (a patterned brown), “blue” (actually a gorgeous grey), fawn (tan) and white mixed with any of these.

As personalities they are individuals, and one of the joys of adopting a Greyhound is getting to know them. Some are quite nervous and need to be cherished, while others are confident and cope with any situation.

Being sighthounds, they are bred to chase, but some are more ‘keen’ than others. Some want to chase anything that moves, whilst most will settle with another dog and quite a few will happily snuggle up with a cat after the correct introduction process.

About Adoption

The adoption process is straightforward:

1. Contact us to say that you are interested. We’ll have a talk on the phone and arrange for one of our volunteers to visit you, by appointment. He or she will answer any questions and help you check that your garden is secure and that there is a suitable sleeping area. You can always contact this person (or any of us) for advice and support, both before and after adoption.

2. At the same time, we’ll help you find a Greyhound to fit in with you. We’ll arrange for you to visit kennels to meet dogs, and if you like you can also come on our monthly Branch walks, which lots of adopters join in.

3. Your Greyhound will be neutered and vaccinated; we pay for this from Branch funds. You will also receive 6 weeks’ free pet insurance from PetPlan.

4. You’ll sign an adoption form, making some basic commitments in the dog’s interests, for example that you won’t pass them on to anyone else. You’ll donate £100, or more if you wish, to help cover costs.

We provide a special Greyhound collar and lead, a muzzle for use during socialization, and an information pack.

You may need to buy other items such as bowls and a coat; we advise on equipment and can often provide them cheaper than pet shops.

Settling In

Most of our Greyhounds come straight from racing kennels, and will have a lot to learn about being in a family home. Mainly, you will just need to be patient, allow them some peace and quiet, and let them get used to things at their own pace.

Over a few days they’ll settle in, and routines will become established so they’ll know what’s going to happen next. If you have children you will need to make sure they don’t fuss their new dog for too long! We don’t get many failed homings, but of those we do get many are because the Greyhound has not been allowed to escape from well-meaning but persistent attention.

Racing Greyhounds have little contact with other animals and other breeds of dog before being adopted, so a period of socialisation is required while your dog learns about other animals and how to mix with them.

Training

Greyhounds are by nature sensitive and co-operative dogs, so you should teach them what they need to know by praise rather than scolding. The main thing is to decide what you are and are not going to insist on, e.g. is the dog allowed upstairs or on furniture, then all be consistent about applying those rules.

There will be more information about Training on the Owners’ Guide page. Once they understand what you want, Greyhounds generally try hard to please and are quick learners, but if you offer them the role of Boss one or two of them will accept!

Because of their speed and instincts, you’ll need to keep your Greyhound on a lead in public places, at least to start with. Then if you want to risk letting them off you’ll have to make sure they are fully socialised and trained to return on command. Some Greyhounds are so keen to chase they will never be safe off the lead.

As with most dogs, if you want to be able to leave your Greyhound home alone, you willl need to take them through a period of acclimisation. This varies widely from dog to dog, but you should plan to adopt when you’ll have enough time, perhaps a few days, to do the initial acclimatisation.

In most cases, Greyhounds settle in very easily and it’s much less fraught than buying a puppy! You’ll have the deep pleasure of seeing your dog develop, as their personality comes out in the wiser freer world you’ve giving them.

Costs

You’ll need to consider vet’s bills and/or insurance, public liability insurance if it’s not included in your household policy, and food—you can feed your Greyhound on normal dog food.

The costs are comparable to other breeds of similar weight, such as Retrievers, Labradors and German Shepherds, though on the whole Greyhounds tend to have fewer inbred health problems.

Don’t be put off adopting an older Greyhound—they often live into their teens!