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WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW ABOUT?
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GREYHOUND HEALTH
GREYHOUND CARE AND
EXERCISE
RETIRED
RACERS: THINGS THEY ALREADY KNOW, AND THINGS YOU’LL NEED TO
SHOW
GREYHOUNDS AND
OTHER CRITTERS
GREYHOUNDS AND
YOUNGSTERS
WHAT KIND
OF A HOME DOES A GREYHOUND NEED?
OFFICIAL GREYHOUND COLOR CHART
 GREYHOUND HEALTH
Greyhounds have an average life span of 12 to
14 years. Careful breeding practices in the racing world
mean that retired racing greyhounds have almost none of the
health issues that are common to most purebred dogs! The
recipe for success in breeding a racing greyhound includes
that the dog be in tip top shape, have a superb bill of
health, and excellent temperament. Their size and color is
not a factor. Therefore, nearly all of the most devastating
and unfortunately common ailments that large dogs often
suffer have been virtually removed from the greyhound
breed!
Greyhounds have different blood values than
you would normally find in other canines, don’t need as much
anesthetic as other dogs their size, and have less
protection against poisons and chemicals. They have thin
skin and very little body fat. If you adopt a greyhound you
will need to make sure that your vet is aware of these
things, as well as take steps to make sure that your dog
doesn’t become accidentally exposed to things that may be
harmful to him or her. (Such as flea collars, insecticides,
and some common lawn treatments.)
Dr. Suzanne Stack, DVM is widely regarded as
one of the leading authorities when it comes to greyhound
health. She has served as a State Racing Board Veterinarian
in Wisconsin and as a track vet in Texas at Valley Greyhound
Park. An archive of Dr. Stack’s most requested articles
about greyhound health can be found here:
GreytHealth. Every greyhound owner should be familiar
with this site. You might find it especially useful to
print and keep a copy of the Greyhound Bloodwork page.
It is worth mentioning that many tall,
long-legged dogs seem to be somewhat prone to osteosarcoma,
or bone cancer. This is one thing that greyhounds are not
immune to. A wealth of information is available on the
subject. The following links are a good start if you’d like
to know more:
Osteosarcoma - Auburn University
Circle of Grey support group
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 GREYHOUND CARE AND EXERCISE
The greyhound is known as the “45 mile per
hour couch potato”. Contrary to common belief, these dogs
would rather be resting those lazy bones than racing around
the yard! Greyhounds snooze upwards of 16 hours per day.
Caring for your greyhound and making sure he gets all that
he needs to stay healthy and happy is not a tough job at
all. But greyhounds and other sight hounds do have certain
needs that their owners should be aware of.
Because of their bony build it is important
that your greyhound have soft, comfortable places to lie
down. Many people use comforters or sleeping bags folded
into a cozy bed for their hound, or large to extra large dog
beds can be found at most pet supply stores and online. Try
to avoid cedar-filled beds, as they can be irritating to a
greyhound’s skin. There are lots of ways to make your own
dog bed, as well. You can buy some large foam pads and sew
a fabric cover on, use recliner lawn chair cushions, or get
a baby mattress with blankets or a cloth cover. And then,
there’s always the sofa! Most greyhounds will relish at the
chance to relax on the “people furniture” if you let them!
A greyhound can sprint for up to 2 minutes
reaching speeds over 40 miles per hour. But you might be
surprised to learn that there is no need to own your own
private racetrack if you want to keep your greyhound in top
form. A nice walk or two each day will be just fine, and if
you have a secure place to let your hound run every now and
then he’ll be pleased as punch.
Because of their fine coat, thin skin, and
lack of body fat it is important for your hound to wear a
coat outside when it’s cold. A good rule of thumb is, if
you need a coat so does your greyhound. Most pet stores
don’t carry dog coats that will fit a greyhound well, but
there are lots of places to get them online. You can get a
free pattern and make your own at
Greyhound Manor Crafts or check
the Greyhound Shopping Mall for a list of places to buy
all things greyhound! You must also be careful in the heat
of summer…don’t overdo it on the mid-day walks and never,
ever leave your hound in the car, even for a few
minutes, even with the windows cracked, when it’s
over 70 degrees outside.
One of the gazillion wonderful things about
having greyhounds is that they are very easy to groom. A
lukewarm bath with a mild dog shampoo every few months is
usually sufficient since greyhounds don’t have oily coats
and don’t usually have that “doggy smell”. Daily brushing
with a soft brush or micro fiber cloth is more than enough
to keep shedding to a minimum. Regular nail clipping and
tooth brushing will keep your hound looking and feeling
great. A yearly trip to the vet for a dental, vaccines, and
a checkup will ensure that your dog stays healthy and
happy. Make sure to put your hound on heartworm
preventative from at least May through September if you live
in or around Salt Lake!
Greyhounds are indoor dogs. If you’re
looking for a dog that will spend the day or night out in
the yard, a greyhound is not the right choice for you. They
have very little protection from the elements, and need to
live indoors with their people.
In full stride, a greyhound is in the air 75%
of the time! They can reach full speed in just 3 strides.
The only other animal that can accelerate faster over a
short distance is the cheetah! This is one reason that a
greyhound can never, ever, ever be tied out. If he
were to see something and try to run for it, he could easily
snap his neck in a split second regardless of how short or
long the tie-out is.
A greyhound should never be allowed off leash
when outdoors unless in a secure area. When the chase
instinct kicks in there will be no stopping it. This is
where thousands of years of being bred to run and chase will
overcome him. The hound will become deaf and blind to
anything but the chase. Your gentle, obedient, quiet little
love sponge will suddenly become a 45 mile per hour blur of
fur and will not see you or hear your frantic commands to
halt. If he’s not hit by a car he could run over an unsafe
surface and break his leg, or he might get so far away that
he can’t find his way back. Some people have a hard time
accepting the fact that it’s not safe to allow a greyhound
to “run free” off leash. That’s completely understandable,
but the risks are just too great. Click to read this
wonderful article,
Trust-the Deadly Disease
for a better perspective on why a responsible dog owner,
especially a sight hound owner, should always keep their dog
on lead when not in a secure area.
A
greyhound’s head is smaller than its neck; therefore
greyhounds cannot wear normal buckle type collars. They can
easily slip out of buckle collars, or can even lose them
just running around the yard. Greyhounds should not wear
any type of choke chain or choke collar either, as they have
thin and fragile necks and could be seriously injured.
There is a collar made specifically for sight hounds called
a “martingale collar”. When properly adjusted, the collar
should fit loosely and comfortably around the dog’s neck.
If your greyhound pulls on the leash, the martingale has a
limited slip and will tighten just enough so that he cannot
slip the collar.
GPA Salt Lake provides a martingale collar with each dog
that we place, and our links page has many sites where you
can order beautiful and unique martingales.
And finally, feed your hound a good high
quality food. You get what you pay for when it comes to dog
food! We encourage you to do your own research and find the
food that works best for you and your greyhound, but if
you’d rather take our word for it
click for
GPA Salt Lake’s list of suggested dog
foods.
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 THINGS
THEY ALREADY KNOW…
AND THINGS YOU’LL NEED TO SHOW
This is one of the neatest aspects of
adopting a retired racer! When your greyhound first gets to
you, it will be sort of like bringing a puppy home in some
ways. He will be curious about everything around him and
everything that you do. He will have never seen things like
mirrors, windows, stairs, slick floors, and household
appliances before. You will have lots of laughs as you
watch him cock his head to the side and stare in awe at that
gorgeous greyhound looking back at him from the oven door,
or as he trots up to the TV with his tail wagging, wanting
to play with that strange barking dog in the box. The first
few times he sees another animal besides a greyhound, you’ll
swear that he thinks the aliens have landed. He’ll probably
be your shadow, following you everywhere and looking to you
to show him all around his new world.
On the other hand, there will be plenty of
things your greyhound has had lots of experience with.
Walking on lead should be a breeze, although he won’t be
used to walking long distances. Greyhounds are kennel
trained in their racing environments, which makes
housetraining a snap as long as it’s done properly. They
are used to being handled and will usually remain
surprisingly calm and still while being bathed, groomed, or
at the vet’s office. Most greyhounds do very well in crates
if you prefer to use one. Many see the crate as a “safe
haven”. Others don’t like it one bit. One reason for this
could be that the crates we buy at the store are much
smaller than the crates greyhounds are used to at the racing
kennel.
A racing greyhound has essentially never been
alone his entire life. Greyhounds live in the company of
many other greyhounds continuously while at the racing
kennel and, before that, at the farm. For this reason it is
important to teach your greyhound that it’s ok to be alone.
He needs to learn that when you leave, you will return.
Some greyhounds experience some fear or anxiety at first,
but by taking some simple steps in the first days and weeks
you can help ease those feelings. Start the very first day
you bring him home. After he has settled in somewhat, put
him in his crate or leave him alone in a room and walk away
for just a minute or two. After doing this a few times, try
leaving him alone in the house while you walk to the mailbox
or take the garbage out. The next day, try leaving him
alone while you go to the store for milk or to the gas
station to fill up your tank. Slowly increase the amount of
time you leave your hound alone. Pretty soon he will
realize that he is not being abandoned and that you will
always come back. To aid in alone training, follow these
words of advice:
*Don’t make a big deal when you leave. No
big hugs goodbye, no dramatic farewells.
*Try giving your greyhound a Kong toy with
some treats in it every time you leave. When you get back,
take the Kong and put it away. Not only will this help to
keep your dog occupied while you’re gone, but he might even
look forward to his alone time!
*If you don’t see any signs of bad behavior
while he was alone, make sure to reward him with lots of
extra affection and happy talk when you get back. If he did
do something destructive or had an accident in the house
while you were absent, punishing him for it after the fact
won’t do much good and may in fact increase his anxiety or
destructive behavior.
*Read this short article from The Greyhound
Project website for more good advice:
Reducing Adaptation Anxiety.
These first days are a wonderful stage for
learning and bonding with each other. It is also the best
time to show your greyhound what kinds of things are allowed
and what kinds of things aren’t. Praise is the best and
most effective way to show your hound he is doing something
that’s ok. Greyhounds are very sensitive and will respond
to your tone of voice. Never, ever punish your hound by
hitting or slapping him. The “happy voice” goes a long way,
and a firm “no” is usually all it takes to teach a greyhound
that what they are doing is not acceptable. In more urgent
situations, a quick tug on the leash will usually do the
trick. Greyhounds are very intelligent dogs and want to
please you, and in most cases it takes only one correction
and he won’t try that behavior again.
A good idea is to keep your hound on lead in
the house for the first few days. You’ll be able to stay
close to him and keep your eye on him. Let him explore,
show him his toys and bed, talk talk talk to him all the
time in a tone that says you’re HAPPY! Take him outside to
“do his business” every few hours, and if he tries to go in
the house stop him in the act with a firm “no!” and
take him straight outside. Stay outside till he goes again,
even if it’s 20 minutes. It’s very important for him to
learn that he’s not in trouble for relieving himself; he’s
in trouble for relieving himself in the house.
Greyhounds are quite easy to train. Since
they are kennel trained during their racing life, it’s easy
for most to become completely housetrained with very few, if
any, hardships for their new family. Once a greyhound
learns that the whole house is now his “kennel”, he won’t
want to relieve himself there. Greyhounds respond best to
training when they are rewarded for correct behavior rather
than being punished for what they did wrong. The best way
to avoid bad behavior is to take away the temptation…don’t
leave food out within reach, put a secure lid on the garbage
can, don’t feed him bites of what you’re eating. If there
is no reward in doing something, your greyhound won’t do
it. Patience and diligence on your part will ensure a
successful transition for your hound. If any behavior
problems do come up, GPA Salt Lake volunteers may very well
have the answer. Another terrific resource for questions
about health, training, behaviors, or anything else
greyhound is
Greytalk, a very active internet discussion forum with
over 2,000 greyhound lovers registered. And of course a
must-have for all greyhound owners is the book
"Retired Racing Greyhounds for Dummies" by Lee Livingood.
Order the book through the Amazon.com or Petco.com links on
our site, and a portion of your purchase will be donated to
GPA Salt Lake!
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