The following are what we find to be the most Frequently Asked Questions about retired racing greyhounds. We hope you will find your answers here.
What kind of pets do racing greyhounds make?
Greyhounds are affectionate and make terrific pets. They love being the center of attention and thrive on human companionship.
How old are retired greyhounds?
They are usually between two and five years old when they retire. AAGI sometimes gets older greyhounds that have retired from the breeding farm or who have been in a previous home.
How are greyhounds with other pets?
Greyhounds are friendly by nature and socialize well as a result of encounters with other greyhounds in the kennel. They will almost always get along well with medium or large breed dogs.
A majority of greyhounds will learn to get along well with cats, small dogs and other small fuzzies, but the introductory period should be closely monitored. AAGI tests each greyhound in “cat school” before placement to help assure a good match. We also require the purchase of a muzzle when adopting into households with cats.
How much does it cost to own a greyhound?
Greyhounds cost about a dollar a day to feed and all the love you can afford – which they willing give back ten fold.
What is their life expectancy?
These purebred athletes enjoy many years of good health. With proper care they have a life expectancy of 12–15 years or more.
Why do greyhounds wear muzzles?
Greyhounds wear muzzles while racing to help racing officials determine the outcome of a photo-finish race, and to protect the greyhounds from injury when racing or playing in their turnout pens.
Are greyhounds good with children?
Greyhounds are very tolerant of children and will usually walk away rather than growl or snap if children become overbearing. This does not mean that they should be tormented for long periods of time – even a gentle greyhound has its limits.
AAGI strongly recommends the reading of Brian Killcommon’s Child Proofing Your Dog to any family with young children who are looking to add a dog to their household. Households with children under the age of 3-years will be asked to sign a child waiver when adopting. Greyhounds are large dogs who are face-to-face with toddlers and we have no way of knowing your families level of supervision.
Are greyhounds already housebroken?
Frequently an adopted greyhound is completely housebroken right from the start. They are “crate trained” and if you walk or take them out frequently they quickly learn that their new home is the place they keep clean (the crate) and outside is where they go to relieve themselves.
How big do greyhounds get?
Greyhound males stand 26 to 30 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh between 65 and 86 pounds. Females stand 23 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh 50 to 65 pounds. When adopted they are fully grown.
Why are greyhounds so skinny?
Greyhounds are like any other competitive athlete – they eat heartily and burn off excess weight when they run.
Where should a greyhound live – inside or outside?
Greyhounds have very little body fat and a thin coat and therefore are NOT suited for outdoor living and AAGI requires that you plan on your greyhound being an indoor pet. When adopted, greyhounds enjoy a soft spot where they can feel protected.
Why do greyhounds need to be kept on a leash?
Greyhounds belong to a family called “Sighthounds.” As such they hunt and acclimate themselves by vision instead of scent. In pursuit of prey (or the cup blowing down the sidewalk) they become so focused they quickly lose sight of their surroundings. They have been raised in a sheltered environment and are not street wise to traffic or other hazards. It is not a bonding or training issue – greyhounds must always be kept on a leash.
How fast do greyhounds run?
As the second fastest land mammal, greyhounds hit 30 miles and hour in 3 strides and can reach speeds of up to 45-miles an hour.
Do greyhounds need a lot of exercise?
Greyhounds should be walked three or four times a week but don’t require huge yards for running. A fenced yard is good for them to relieve themselves but they will spend the majority of their time in a comfy spot in the house. They make excellent jogging or skating companions if that is what you like – but they must be conditioned to go at a new pace.
Are greyhounds gray?
Actually greyhounds come in many colors – brindle, black, red, fawn or a combination of these colors with white. The gray (or blue) greyhound is somewhat rare. There are 18 official colors as demonstrated on this Official Color Chart.
Now what?
If you still have questions you can write to AAGI@arizonaadoptagreyhound.org or call (602) 971-6935.
If you are ready to find out more about the adoption process, go to the section on the adoption process.