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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
 GREYHOUNDS AND OTHER CRITTERS
After a proper introduction, most greyhounds
adjust very well to sharing their new home with all kinds of
other animals. (Yep, even cats!) It’s important for us to
know about any other animals in your home and what kind of
temperament they have. That way, we can better profile a
dog for you to make a good match and be confident that your
greyhound will get along with your other pets.
Most greyhounds share many common traits such
as being loving and loyal, clean and quiet, gentle and
dignified. But like any animal they each have their own
individual personality. Some hounds prefer to be an “only
child”, some just can’t live without other animal
companionship, some will like small dogs but want the kitty
for lunch, some will snuggle with anything that has a pulse,
and some will be totally indifferent to sharing their space
with other animals and are just grateful for a home to call
their own. Some greyhounds prefer the company of laid back
critters; others don’t mind a more playful housemate. There
are greyhounds that get along with animals their size, but
when it comes to the little ones they start licking their
chops. Many greyhounds get along with cats just fine when
inside, but if let outside with the same cat will decide to
chase and catch it. Many dogs take great pleasure in
chasing cats, the difference with greyhounds is that the
greyhound is fast enough to actually catch the cat! We
would caution you to never take the chance of letting the
two out in the yard together.
A proper introduction is the key to
encouraging any two animals to get along. With retired
racing greyhounds, keep in mind that most have never laid
eyes on any animals besides other greyhounds. It can be
difficult to determine whether your hound’s reaction to his
first glimpse of your poodle is more than curiosity. Here
is a short breakdown of some steps you should take to make a
proper introduction:
*The greyhound (and if possible, both
animals) should be muzzled. Racing greyhounds are very used
to wearing muzzles and will not feel like they’re being
punished or restrained.
*Both animals should be leashed.
*With two dogs, the initial introduction
should take place in “neutral territory” such as a park or
out in the yard. You can take the two on a short walk
together, or just hold the leads and watch as they interact
and sniff one another.
*When you’re comfortable with their
interaction in neutral territory, bring both animals into
the house, keeping the leashes on.
*Watch them closely as they interact and get
to know each other. If there are no signs of problems, you
can let them off leash. Make sure that each sees you show a
little bit of affection to the other. If either dog gets
too defensive or starts to show any aggression, immediately
correct him or her with a sharp “no”.
*Many people like the initial indoor
introductions to take place with the animals separated by a
baby gate or other barrier. This way, the animals will be
safe while you will have fair warning if there is going to
be growling or aggression toward each other.
*During the first few days or so, the animals
should never be left alone together unsupervised. They
should be separated by the use of crates, baby gates, or
left in different parts of the house. It isn’t a bad idea
to use muzzles when leaving dogs alone together. Even if
they aren’t aggressive, greyhounds can become easily injured
by an overly excited dog nipping or pawing at them.
*If you are introducing your greyhound to a
cat or other small animal besides a dog you may want to make
the introduction by holding the small animal in your lap and
petting him or her, while a helper lets the greyhound
approach leashed and muzzled.
*Contact us for more advice on how to
properly introduce your new pet to your existing pets.
GPA Salt Lake will “cat test” all of our
greyhounds before placement. When it comes to cat testing,
some common phrases in the greyhound world are:
“Cat Safe” or “Cat Friendly”: This basically
means that when the greyhound was introduced to a cat, there
were no warning signs of aggression and that the hound was
either indifferent or was affectionate with the kitty.
Often you will see this phrase in the description of a
greyhound that has lived in a home or been fostered in a
home with a cat.
“Cat Workable”: This term indicates that
when the greyhound was introduced to a cat, there may have
been some trepidation on the greyhound’s part but no
outright signs of aggression, such as snapping or lunging
for the cat. A “cat workable” greyhound usually just needs
to learn that the cat is another beloved family member.
Once the hound understands that, the two will become fast
friends.
“Not Cat Safe” or “Not Cat Friendly”: This
means that when the greyhound was introduced to a cat, there
were instant and obvious signs that the greyhound wanted to
chomp on the kitty. The dog may have started whining,
panting, growling, and/or drooling along with assuming an
aggressive posture and/or lunging for the cat, or snapping
at the cat. A greyhound that tests not cat friendly will
not be placed in a home with cats, and will be tested with
other animals before being placed in a multiple-pet home or
a home with a small dog.
Bear in mind that just because a greyhound
doesn’t get along with cats doesn’t mean the same greyhound
wouldn’t get along with small dogs. Similarly, a greyhound
that gets along famously with cats won’t necessarily be
friendly with tiny dogs . There are many misconceptions out there
about greyhounds being unsafe with small animals, but the
fact is that they are not too much different than any other
dog. Sometimes it’s a matter of instinct, but most times
greyhounds make easy friends with all creatures great and
small!
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 GREYHOUNDS AND YOUNGSTERS
A greyhound can be a wonderful addition to a
family with young children. They are not vicious dogs, and
almost always choose “flight” over “fight” when they feel
overwhelmed. But, like any dog, they have their limits.
With children it is essential to teach both child and dog
proper behavior and mutual respect toward one another.
Greyhounds are not the kind of dog for “rough and tumble”
play.
If the children in your household are well
mannered and have been taught to be gentle with dogs and
respect their space, a greyhound may be the perfect choice
for you. If your kids are more prone to roughhousing and
are very high-energy, you may want to reconsider adding any
dog to the mix.
Why, you ask? Dog bites are one of the
leading causes of hospital emergency room visits in children
between ages 0 and 15 years old. (According to the
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (WISQARS)
stats for 2003.) Take a look at these statistics:
*Dog bites are the 11th leading
cause of nonfatal unintentional injury resulting in hospital
emergency room visits in children ages 0 to 15 years.
* The highest risk age group is children ages
6 to 15.
*Boys are at higher risk than girls of
getting bit by a dog.
*For 2003, WISQARS lists 76,836 emergency
room visits for boys compared to 62,414 for girls. (Dog
bites, ages 0-15.)
We urge you to take careful stock of your
family situation and your child’s temperament before
deciding that you want to have any dog. GPA Salt Lake will
not deny an application simply because there are children in
the family, but we will ask that you allow a GPA
representative to meet with you and your children in
person. This way, we can match you up with a greyhound that
will best compliment your family and lifestyle.
In preparing your children for the new
arrival, teach them to respect a dog’s space. Even though
your dog may not show any signs of food aggression, kids
should never approach a dog while he’s eating. Never
approach a sleeping dog without first alerting him from a
distance by either clapping or calling his name. Make sure
the kids know that dogs can and do sleep with their eyes
open sometimes. Children should never wrestle, ride, or
play rough with a dog. If a dog growls or grumbles, that is
a warning and the dog needs to be given some space. Dogs
and young children should never be left alone together
unsupervised. A dog should always have a “safe place” to go
to if he gets overwhelmed, and children should be taught
never to disturb the dog while he is in his safe place.
This could be his crate, his bed, his favorite corner, or a
room in the house.
Greyhounds are generally very gentle and
sweet, but when excited they can present some hazards to
children. That long tail can get going a mile a minute, and
getting whacked in the face with a greyhound’s “happy tail”
is not a pleasant experience and could even cause injury to
a small child. If your dog takes on the undesirable habit
of jumping up on people when playing or greeting them, a
child could easily get knocked over. You may have to train
your greyhound to act appropriately around the kids.
As long as these few simple rules are
followed consistently, greyhounds and children make
wonderful, loving companions.
We highly recommend the book
Childproofing Your Dog : A Complete Guide to Preparing Your
Dog for the Children in Your Life by Brian Kilcommons
and Sarah Wilson. Order from our link to Amazon.com and
part of the proceeds will go to GPA Salt Lake!
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 WHAT KIND
OF HOME DOES A GREYHOUND NEED?
The better question might be “what kind of
greyhound does your home need?” There is a greyhound that
would fit like a pea in a pod for almost every type of home
out there.
Let’s start with the basics that any
greyhound needs and deserves in their new home:
*Time. If you are looking to bring a dog
into your home, then you need to be committed to spending
time with your new friend every day. If you think that
choosing to walk around the park with your dog over meeting
friends at a restaurant after work is a sacrifice, maybe now
isn’t the right time for you to get a dog. If you think to
yourself, while on the way to the restaurant, “Oh how I wish
I had a dog to stay home and snuggle with”, well then you
might just be the perfect candidate for adoption.
*Money. Yes, it’s pretty inexpensive for you
to acquire a purebred, close to perfect retired racing
greyhound. But there are ongoing costs in taking care of a
dog. Most estimates put the average at around $700 a year.
It will cost you around $30.00 per month just to feed your
greyhound. Dentals can be upwards of $180.00 or so in Salt
Lake City, and are usually required annually. A trip to the
vet starts at around $30 just to walk in the door. Add in
heartworm medications, rabies shots, vaccinations, licensing
your dog…and these are just the basics. Make sure you are
financially prepared to care for your greyhound.
*Commitment. A greyhound’s average life span
is 12 to 14 years or more. You need to be as close to
certain as humanly possible that you will be willing and
able to care for your hound through thick and thin for the
rest of his or her life. Retired racers have worked hard
for the first years of their lives, and deserve the
stability of a “forever home” to spend their retirement in.
They become very attached to their people and settle in
quickly to life as a pet. Being uprooted and returned back
into adoption can be devastating and traumatic, and can have
lasting effects for any dog. We know that unexpected things
can and do happen, and we will be here for you and your
hound should you ever have to give him up. Our hope is that
every adopter takes the time to strongly consider the
commitment they are making, and that each dog ends up
spending their years in the best possible home.
Because of their gentle, clean and quiet
disposition (they almost never bark), greyhounds can be the
ideal pet for elderly people and for smaller homes,
condominiums, and apartments. For these same reasons, they
don’t usually make good watch dogs. There are greyhounds
perfectly suited to be jogging companions, and greyhounds
born to be couch potatoes. If you have a big fenced yard or
no yard at all, there is a greyhound for you. There are
greyhounds that are perfect for agility training and many
that would make wonderful therapy dogs. Some are
sophisticated and independent, almost cat-like while others
are goofy and silly, and everything in between. You can get
a greyhound brimming with all the energy of a puppy, or a
greyhound with a calm and dignified demeanor. How about a
“velcro dog”; a greyhound who is at your side at all times,
like your shadow, looking up at you adoringly? Or would you
prefer a dog with a penchant for solitude from time to
time? With nearly 26,000 greyhounds available for adoption
each year, there is bound to be one with the perfect
personality for you. There are even “special needs”
greyhounds always looking for homes with experienced dog
owners who would like to offer these greyhounds the unique
attention they might require. Special needs dogs could be
very shy, have a physical impairment, need special
medications for a health ailment, have had an injury that
affects them, or may be aging.
Anyone who is thinking of adopting a retired
racer should read
10 Reasons Not to Adopt a Greyhound from Lee Livingood’s
website, “Running with the Big Dogs”. Also on this page are
10 Reasons to Adopt a Greyhound, and a terrific piece about
some of the things to think about before you adopt.
If you are curious about how a greyhound
might fit into your life and home, contact us! We’ll be
happy to talk to you about any questions you might have.
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