Greyhounds are warm, gentle, responsive, sensitive, affectionate, intelligent and very loyal companions. They are wonderful additions to loving homes and make extraordinary pets. They can live to be 10-14 years old and, in some instances, even longer. As such, adopting a greyhound is a serious long-term commitment and requires very careful consideration.
Most greyhounds have typically never lived in a house prior to adoption and initially they may find your home overwhelming. We recommend using a large crate for them in the beginning where they can feel and be safe while unsupervised. Additionally, we advise you to plan on having at least three days off when you bring your new four-legged friend home to help him/her with the transition.
Greyhounds are not housebroken but are crate-trained. They are used to being let out into an outside pen to relieve themselves at least four times a day. If you keep a consistent schedule of letting them out very frequently initially, then gradually reducing the frequency they will adjust more easily to their new routine… and housebreaking should not be a problem. They will need daily exercise/walks and an occasional run in a completely fenced-in area. Adequate exercise prevents a greyhound from becoming bored and/or destructive.
Please be aware that greyhounds should never be tied outside and should always be kept on a leash unless they are in a completely fenced-in or enclosed area. They are inside dogs and should never be left outside when you are not home.
Generally, greyhounds interact very well with children. It is imperative, however, that children learn to respect the greyhound and his/her personal ‘space’… and never be allowed to tease or taunt the dog. Parents should never leave a young child unattended with any breed of dog and must remain vigilant about maintaining proper supervision at all times in order to prevent any potential accidents.
Greyhounds are accustomed to being with other greyhounds and usually enjoy the company of other breeds of dogs, as well. Though cats and other small animals are ‘unknown’ to them, many greyhounds can and do live very well in their presence within the home. Great care, however, needs to be taken to insure that they can live in harmony. Some greyhounds are and will always remain very keen and should never be placed in a home or environment where he/she may be exposed to cats and/or other small animals.
It is very important to feed greyhounds a high quality dry dog food such as Old Mother Hubbard, Wellness, Wysong, Innova, Solid Gold or Canidae (as well as numerous others). Any of these may be combined with other healthy additives and occasionally, nutritious table scraps. Special care should be taken not to allow your greyhound to become overweight. Many health risks, including a shortened lifespan, can be caused by obesity.
As with any other breed, greyhounds should be seen by a vet at least once a year for an exam and necessary vaccines. Brushing teeth, cutting nails, brushing their coat and cleaning their ears should be part of a regular grooming routine. This also provides a wonderful opportunity for you to bond with your greyhound.
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