Q:
What is a Greyhound
A: Greyhounds are sighthounds, like
afghans, borzois and whippets. Easily recognizable, they vary in height from
26-30 inches and in weight from 60-90 pounds. They can be any color from white
to black, including fawn, grey, red or brown, and any pattern from solid to
brindle to parti. They have slender heads, long legs and deep chests. They
usually live to be between 10-14 years old.
(back to top of page)
Q:
What's so special about Greyhounds?
A: They are gentle, good-natured dogs who
adapt well to home life and human companionship. A retired racing greyhound is a
sensitive and loving companion.
(back to top of page)
Q: Where does GRV get the dogs?
A: The greyhounds come to us either directly from the track or
from a kennel which obtains them from the track. They are generally between the
ages of 2-5 when they come to us. We place them in foster homes until we can
place them with their new family.
(back to top of page)
Q: How is life at the
track?
A: Dog racing is a business. There can be as many as 100 dogs
in each trainer's kennel so they receive little or no personal attention. Their
personalities blossom once they come to us and especially after they go to their
new homes. Because they are sensitive dogs, it may take a little while for their
true personalities to emerge, but when they do, they are delightful companions.
(back to top of page)
Q: Do they take up a lot of
room inside the house?
A: Greyhounds have been described as 40 mph couch potatoes.
They love to curl up on a dog bed or couch and they're particularly fond of
overstuffed chairs! In a home, they quickly adapt to a calm atmosphere.
Greyhounds also adapt well to small houses and apartments because they are quiet
and relaxed inside.
(back to top of page)
Q: Why do they have to be kept on a
leach or in a fenced-in yard? I have a lot of land far away from the road. Can't
I ever let him run?
A: No! Greyhounds are sighthounds, which means that they are
attracted to moving objects. To keep your dog safe, it must never be allowed to
run free. When they are outside, greyhounds must be kept on a leash or in a
fenced-in yard. They must never be tied out because their ability to gain speed
suddenly can cause severe injury. Invisible fencing is not suitable for
sighthounds. They will run through it if something attracts their attention;
also, invisible fencing does not prevent other animals from entering your yard.
(back to top of page)
Q: Can't my greyhound be trained
not to run away after I've had him for a while?
A: No! In the sighthound, the instinct to chase has been in
inbred for thousands of years. No amount of training will override the instinct
to chase if something catches their eye.
(back to top of page)
Q: What about exercise? Do I have to take up running?
A : A greyhound needs no more exercise
than the average dog. If you do not have a fenced-in yard, your greyhound should
be taken out 4 times a day on a leash to relieve itself. These dogs are great
walking companions and do not have to be run to get adequate exercise. But if
you have access to a large fenced-in area, your pet will enjoy the occasional
opportunity to really fly.
(back to top of page)
Q: How high does the
fence have to be? Do they jump or dig?
A: A 5' high fence is fine. Greyhounds don't generally jump or
try to dig under the fence. We'll let you know if we find one who does.
(back
to top of page)
Q: Is it better to get a male or a
female?
A: We recommend males for families with young children.
Females bond better with one person, while males tend to make better family
pets. Greyhound Rescue of Vermont assesses each situation separately.
(back to top of page)
Q: Can my dog be left alone while I'm
at work?
A: Most greyhounds can stay alone for 6-8 hours, although you
should limit the time to half that until the dog is comfortable in your house.
They sometimes suffer from separation anxiety, so may want to crate your dog
until you both feel more comfortable with leaving him alone.
(back to top of page)
Q: Do they bark a lot?
A: Not usually, although some bark more than others. They are
not good watchdogs or guard dogs.
(back to top of page)
Q: What about obedience training?
A: They are reasonably smart dogs and respond well to obedience training. They
must be trained gently and carefully because of their sensitive nature.
(back to top of page)
Q: Do they like traveling in the car?
A: Most greyhounds love riding in the car because they're used to being moved
around frequently.
(back to top of page)
Q: Do they need coats in the winter?
A: If they go for long walks in the Vermont winter, they do need coats. If they
just go outside for a few minutes to do their business, then no.
(back to top of page)
Q: What about vet expenses?
A: Like other dogs, greyhounds need their shots on a regular basis and should be
given heartworm medication at the appropriate time of year. Also, some
greyhounds tend to have bad teeth due to the soft diet they are fed at the
track. You should plan on having their teeth professionally cleaned once a year.
Like other deep-chested dogs, they are subject to bloat. They can eventually
suffer from arthritis, cancer and other common ailments. They are not prone to
hip dysplasia.
(back to top of page)
Q: Why do some dogs have little or no hair on their butts and
tails or rough spots on their elbows?
A: Greyhounds spend a great deal of time lying down at the racing kennel, which
can wear their hair away. After adoption, the hair sometimes grows back, but not
always.
(back to top of page)
Q: Why are they so skinny?
A: They're usually thin when they come off the track and will put on a little
weight after adoption, but by nature they are lean dogs. You should be able to
feel but not see their ribs.
(back to top of page)
Q: How much do they eat?
A: An average-size greyhound eats anywhere between 4-6 cups of food daily,
depending on size. The food should be less than 27% protein. We recommend dry
food, which is better for the teeth, mixed with high quality canned food, if you
prefer. We will help you decide what to feed your dog.
(back
to top of page)
