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Standard
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Personality
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The Family
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Foster Care
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The Track
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Care
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Nutrition
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Facts
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F.A.Q.'s
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Right for YOU ?
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Q1. Why do Greyhounds make good pets ?
A1. Greyhounds have been bred to be fast, intelligent, sociable and good tempered. They have spent most of their lives in the company of other dogs, their trainers and handlers. They have all the advantages of breeding and training when it comes to being a good pet. Their sociability makes them great with other pets (even cats). Their temperament makes them wonderful around children and friends. Their intelligence and breed make them perfect house pets - clean, quiet and a loving companion.
Q2. Are Greyhounds Grey ?
A2. A grey greyhound is officially known as "blue". Greyhounds come in many colours including fawn, red fawn, white, black and various brindles which can be solid or patched colours.
Q3. How Big are Greyhounds ?
A3. Greyhounds usually range in weight between 25-38 kilos. Females are generally smaller than males. When you adopt an ex-racer it will generally be at racing weight and will soon put on 2-4 kilos at pet weight. (Although greyhounds should not be allowed to put on too much weight if they are to remain healthy.)
Q4. Are Greyhounds Vicious ?
A4. Nothing could be further from the truth. Greyhounds are required by law to wear a muzzle in public. This has unfairly given them a reputation of being vicious. Greyhounds are very gentle dogs and are very well socialised with both other dogs and humans. Greyhounds are used extensively in the United States for therapy dogs in nursing homes and hospitals because of their gentle patient natures. Studies of dog attacks on humans in Australia, indicate that attacks by greyhounds are practically non-existent. The most frequent breeds that are recorded as attacking humans are German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Cattle Dogs and Dobermans.
Q5. How Fast are Greyhounds ?
A5. VERY... They run up to 80kph and can hit top speed within 8-10 metres.
Q6. Do Greyhounds Need a Lot of Exercise ?
A6. Greyhounds do not need any more exercise than other breeds of dogs of a similar size (often less). In fact, Greyhounds tend to be very lazy animals preferring instead to doze most of the day. Greyhounds appreciate a brisk walk a few times a week and are excellent on a lead due to their early training.
Q7. Can I Let a Greyhound off the Leash ?
A7. A greyhound should NEVER be let off its leash in an unfenced area. Greyhounds are sight hounds and can see an interesting object up to 1 kilometre away. In a few seconds a greyhound may be a long way from its owner and, at the speed they travel, even the fittest owner could not catch them. A running greyhound does not come when their name is called and may be at risk not only of getting lost, but colliding with a car.
Q8. Don't They Eat a Lot ?
A8. They do not eat any more than similar sized breeds and are generally not fussy eaters. To remain healthy they need a varied diet which includes raw and cooked meat, vegetables, carbohydrates such as pasta and rice, complete dry food and table scraps.
Q9. How Long do they Live ?
A9. Greyhounds are longer lived than many other large breeds of dog. If given good care, they can live to 12-16 years. So a retired greyhound of 3-4 years will give many years of faithful company.
Q10. How Old is a Retired Greyhound ?
A10. Retired greyhounds are generally between the ages of 2-4 years. Some younger dogs are sometimes available as they were not considered fast enough for racing or injured themselves before reaching the track.
Q11. But I Want a Younger Dog.
A11. Some people feel that the retired greyhound is too old to adopt. However, there are many advantages to adopting an adult dog. Adult dogs generally will not cause the problems that a puppy will such as chewing your possessions, they are generally toilet trained and their behaviour is more stable and predictable. When you adopt an adult dog it is easier to assess the personality of the dog and its compatibility with your family. Older dogs easily transfer their affections to their new family and thrive on the individual attention they did not get in the racing environment.
Q12. How are Greyhounds in the Car ?
A12. Most greyhounds have travelled extensively in their racing career and really enjoy trips in the car. They are generally quiet and well behaved in a vehicle.
Q13. Do Greyhounds have Health Problems ?
A13. Greyhounds do not suffer the genetic problems apparent in many other large breeds of dogs such as hip dysplasia. Greyhounds, like all sight hounds are more sensitive to chemicals and anaethesia than other dogs. This is not a problem provided your vet is familiar with the needs of greyhounds. All dogs from the Greyhound Adoption Program are heart worm tested, vaccinated and desexed.
Q14. How do Greyhounds Adapt to Living in a House ?
A14. Most racing greyhounds have lived in kennels all their lives and are not familiar with ordinary things around the house. They need to be introduced to children, pets, stairs, vacuum cleaners, windows, mirrors, traffic, etc. Greyhounds, however, adjust very quickly to living in a home. Dogs coming through the Greyhound Adoption Program spend a period in foster care where they will have been familiarised with household living and assessed for their suitability for various family situations.
Q15. Do Greyhounds get on with Cats ?
A15. Many breeds of dogs will chase cats. Greyhounds have been bred for 5,000 years as hunters. Some greyhounds have keen prey drive and will chase small animals. Many other greyhounds live with other pets and cats very happily. If you have a cat, let us know and a compatible dog will be found for you, that has been assessed in a foster situation with cats.
Q16. Will my new Greyhound cope, being left alone when I go to work ?
A16. We recommend that you adopt your greyhound when you have a few days off to spend with it and help it settle in. Once the dog is familiar with the house and is used to you leaving for short periods and returning, it will be quite confident to stay on its own.
Q17. Are Greyhounds Good with Children ?
A17. Greyhounds are generally gentle and tolerant with children. If children are persistently annoying, a greyhound generally will leave the room. As with any dog, children should be taught to treat them gently and with respect. Children should be taught to speak to a sleeping dog before touching it, so as not to frighten it. Children should also be taught to leave a dog alone while it eats. Young infants and toddlers should always be supervised with any large dog. Greyhounds in the Greyhound Adoption Program are assessed for their tolerance of children before being adopted.
Q18. Can I tie my Greyhound up ?
A18. NO - because of the great speeds that greyhounds can reach from a standing start and their delicate long necks, they should never be tethered or placed on a running wire.
Q19. What is a Safe Environment for a Greyhound ?
A19. Firstly, you will require a securely fenced yard. Greyhound are generally not jumpers and a 4 foot fence will be adequate. However, you are advised to check with your local Council, as in some areas, a higher fence is required for large dogs (eg Logan area). Your dog will also require its own special place to rest with some soft bedding or hammock bed. It is not advisable to allow a dog to sleep in your bed as it is essential that he/she knows that you are the top dog and pack leaders do not allow other dogs to sleep with them.
Q20. Can Greyhounds Live Outside ?
A20. Greyhounds are sociable animals and really prefer to be close to their human family and are clean house dogs as they shed very little and have little "doggy" smell. As greyhounds have very little body fat compared to other dogs they feel the extremes of temperature, hot and cold. In winter your greyhound will required a warm sheltered area to sleep and will require a rug (which will be provided by the Greyhound Adoption Program). In summer, greyhounds need a cool shaded spot to rest and access to water. (On extremely hot days they appreciate a hose down).
Q21. What Will GAP Provide if I Adopt a Dog ?
A21. GAP's primary aim is to find loving homes for retired greyhounds. To achieve this each dog is assessed for its suitability for adoption by an experienced foster carer prior to adoption. Before adoption each dog is fully vaccinated, flea treated, de-sexed and heartworm tested. Each dog is supplied with a collar, lead, muzzle and rug. When you adopt a dog, GAP will provide advice on feeding and other aspects of care. When a dog is placed with you, a 30 day trial period is undertaken to ensure that the dog and your family are happy with each other. During this time, if you find that the dog is not suited you may return the dog to GAP and a more suitable dog will be found for you. GAP also provides ongoing support and advice for you and will help to solve any issues as they arise. GAP produces a regular newsletter and organises various social events for owners and dogs.
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