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Because of some of the
myths and misinformation surrounding adoption and ownership of
greyhounds we have decided to compile this information sheet
based on questions we frequently hear at our programs. We
hope that this information will prove to be valuable not only
to those of you interested in adoption but also to the
seasoned greyhound owners. |
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Q: Are they always
this lazy? |
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A: Most of the dogs
tend to sleep an average of 18–20 hours a day. Unbelievable,
but we can all attest to it! |
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Q: How fast do they
run? |
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A: We call them the
“40-mile-an-hour couch potato”. the average retired greyhound can
still run a respectable 40–45 miles per hour, reaching maximum
speed in three strides. |
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Q: Can I let them run
free in a field? |
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A: They should never
be allowed to run free. Greyhounds are “sighthounds”— when
they hunt they use 60% sight, 20% smell and 20% hearing. If
they see a rabbit, squirrel or even a leaf or a piece of
trash, they may tear after it regardless of how well–trained
(or small–animal friendly) you think your dog is. Needless to
say, given how quickly they can run, you are not going to
catch them on foot if they happen to get away from you. If
they are not on a leash, they must be in completely fenced in
area at ALL times. |
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Q: But, I have heard
that they need a lot of room to run. Is that true? |
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A: No! Greyhounds are
very laid-back. They are sprinters who run 30 second races at
the track every 4–5 days. They are well–suited to apartments
and small houses as long as you are willing to take them out
for a walk a couple of times a day. If you have a completely
fenced in area for them to run they will take advantage of it,
but it is NOT a necessity |
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Q: Why are they so
skinny? |
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A: As racers, greyhounds have the
activity level and diet (mostly protein) of true athletes. As
pets, greyhounds will gain 5–10 pounds, thanks to their new
leisurely lifestyle and diet higher in fat and carbs. |
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Q: What should I feed
them and how much? |
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A: It really depends
on the size of the dog. A male or large female can eat 3–4
cups of food twice a day. Some of the smaller females will
only eat 1½ cups of food twice a day. Any high quality dog
food like Nutro, Pro Plan or Exceed (Sam’s Club) will work. |
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Q: I had no idea they
came in so many different colors. Aren’t they all grey? |
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A: Nope, not all
greyhounds are grey. In fact, grey used to be considered a
“bad luck” color and most of them were killed as soon as they
were born which is why it such a rare color now. Greyhounds
come in more than 19 primary (solid) colors and approximately
55 different color combinations. If you can imagine a color,
you can find a greyhound with that color. |
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Q: Do they shed much? |
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A: On average, they
shed very little. Some of the dogs that have just come off
the track have “kennel coat” (this is a shaggy version of
their normal coats). They will lose this once they get into
their new home. After that, the shedding is drastically
reduced. Many people who have allergies can handle at least
one greyhound and many can handle more than one in their
homes. |
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Q: Do they bark? |
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A: Yes, some of them
do, BUT most of them don’t have a proper bark. They make a
sound called “rooing”. It is kind of a combination of barking
and whining. |
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Q: What is their
lifespan |
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A: 12–14 years but it
is not all that uncommon to see a 15–year–old. |
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Q: Do they have any
genetic diseases? |
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A: No, unlike most
purebred dogs they do not have a list of genetic diseases (hip
displaysia, for example) that they are likely to get.
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Q: Are they good with
other animals? |
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A: Some are, some are
not. Through tests with small animals, we have a pretty good
idea which dogs should, or should not, be placed in homes with
other animals. If you currently have a dog, we recommend that
you bring in your dog to meet the prospective greyhound. |
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Q: Are they good with
kids? |
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A: Most of the dogs
get along with children. Please make sure that you tell us on
your application that you need a dog that is good with cats,
different breeds of dogs, children, etc. We will try to place
the perfect dog with you. |
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Q: How do I get a dog? |
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A: There is an
application process where we ask for some personal
information, including your preferences in a dog, a vet
reference and two personal references. It usually takes about
a week to process the application (as long as we can get a
hold of your references). |
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Q: How much is the
adoption fee and what does it include? |
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A: Currently our
adoption fee is $185.00.
The fee includes:
Spaying or neutering
All shots up to date
Heartworm test (and treatment, if necessary)
Fecal test (and treatment, if necessary)
Teeth cleaned
Nails trimmed
New leash and collar (includes an American Greyhound tag with
emergency contact numbers in case your dog is lost)
A booklet containing information on how to care for your new
greyhound
A phone number (the Buddy Program) in case you have questions
after you get your new kid home. |
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Q: How is our group
different from other groups? |
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A: Our adoption fee is
lower, with our group you OWN your dog (some groups only lease
dogs which means they have the right to remove the dog at any
time – whereas we will only remove a dog in extreme cases,
such as abuse), and lastly, with each new adoption, we feel
that we have gained a new family member. |
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