There are several things to consider when adopting a greyhound, and a handful of myths and misunderstanding about the breed. The first thing to keep in mind is Be Patient!! Though your new dog may not look like a puppy, it is their first time being a pet!

Myths:

The first major myth is that greyhounds NEED to race constantly. As stated above, they prefer napping. They are not an overly hyper breed of dog, if anything they would probably be called lazy before hyper any day. They do enjoy an occasional run or jog and love walking and hiking.

The second myth is that they can NEVER be taken off leash or they will run away faster than you can say lickety-split. Definitely know your dog well before you begin experimenting with off leash training. Try a fenced in dog park a few times before letting you dog venture off leash less. They are fast, and should be watched closely, just to be safe. You never know if a squirrel or small bunny might distract them.

  Another myth I often come across is that greyhounds can not be kept with cats or any other small pets. This all depends on your greyhound. Ask the adoption society if your pet has been “cat tested.” This means proven to be safe around a kitty or other small pets. Some don’t mind other animals; others can not be left alone with cats or small animals. I recommend watching your grey around other animals and supervising play time before leaving them in a room alone.

Greyhounds are typically retired when they are between 3-4 years old. When they are finished racing, most owners give the dogs to participating adoption or rescue agencies to try and find them a loving home. cont...