About Greyhounds

...the comfiest couch on the Gulf Coast

Greyhound Pets of America

South Alabama

About Greyhounds

A Brief History

Greyhounds are an ancient, noble breed. Greyhound-type dogs are depicted in the temple drawings dating to 6000 B.C. They are the only breed of dog mentioned in the Bible (Proverbs 30:29-31 KJV), and written about by Homer, Chaucer, and Shakespeare. Such historical figures as Cleopatra, Alexander the Great, Queen Victoria, and General George Armstrong Custer kept Greyhounds.

For thousands of years, Greyhounds have been bred to run like the wind in pursuit of small game. Because of these talents, they were imported to America in the mid-1800’s to help control the jackrabbit populations in the Midwestern and Plains states. Informal racing competitions in farming communities evolved to the modern day sport of Greyhound racing when the first track opened in Emeryville, California in 1919. By 1992, Greyhound racing had become the sixth most popular spectator sport, with 57 tracks opening in 18 states.

With the popularity of racing came a problem for Greyhound racers. The thousands of dogs bred for the tracks simply had no place to go at the end of their racing careers at age 5 or less. Until the Greyhound adoption movement began in 1982, retired racing Greyhounds not used for breeding were usually put down. While the number of Greyhounds still being euthanized is open to debate, numbers continue to decline as more are adopted.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big are Greyhounds?

Greyhounds weigh between 50 and 85 pounds and stand 23-30 inches at the shoulder. Although Greyhounds are not small dogs, many adopters report that they are almost cat like inside their homes in that the dogs seek a quiet corner from which to employ the company of their humans.

How old are the Greyhounds that are available for adoption?

Retired racers are typically between 2 and 5 years of age. We occasionally have older dogs available for adoption. The normal life expectancy of a Greyhound is 12-14 years.

Are Greyhounds outside dogs?

No. While Greyhounds love romping and frolicking outside, they have very little body fat and thin skin, and are very susceptible to extremes of cold and hot temperatures. At the track, Greyhounds live inside in heated and air-conditioned kennels. So between play and "potty" visits outside, Greyhounds need to be primarily inside house pets.

Are the former racers housebroken?

In the racing kennels, Greyhounds sleep and eat in large crates, and are trained not to soil their crates. In the pet home, housebreaking is simply a matter of training the Greyhound that your home is a large crate. If you follow a normal routine of outside visits, housebreaking is usually easily accomplished.

Are Greyhounds good with children?

Gentle, patient and sensitive, Greyhounds make ideal companions for children. If the playing gets too boisterous, Greyhounds tend to walk away rather than snap. Of course, children should always be supervised when playing with any dog, and must be taught to respect the Greyhound's "personal space" especially when the dog is sleeping. An excellent book for anyone with any dog, and children is, "Child Proofing Your Dog," by Brian Kilcommons.

Aren't Greyhounds "high strung"?

No - just the opposite, in fact. Docile and low-key, Greyhounds are often described by their owners as "laid back couch potatoes." Some people think that Greyhounds are aggressive because they see them wearing muzzles while racing. Actually, they wear the muzzles to help make their noses appears more prominent and assist the racing officials in determining the winner of a "photo finish."

Don't Greyhounds need lots of room to run?

While Greyhounds do love to run (and it's thrilling to watch them run), they need no more exercise than any other dog. A nice long walk on the leash a few times a week is recommended (and it's good for humans too!) Many adopters have discovered that Greyhounds make great jogging companions, while others enjoy finding fenced areas to let their Greyhounds really stretch out.

Can I let my Greyhound walk with me off lead?

Only in complete fenced areas. Greyhounds have been bred to chase for thousands of years. Because of this genetic make-up, even the most obedient Greyhound will not come when called if it sees a rabbit or squirrel to chase. They will pursue their quarry oblivious to their surroundings, including cars or the distance they have run from their owners. For that reason, adopters must agree in their adoption contract that they will NEVER allow their Greyhound off lead in any unfenced area.

Can Greyhounds live peacefully with cats?

In our experience, about 70 to 80 percent of Greyhounds are "cat safe" and do just fine with cats inside the home. We "cat test" our adoptable Greyhounds to gauge their level of interest in cats. While the "test" is not foolproof, we find it is a generally reliable indicator of how the Greyhound will react to a cat.

How will a Greyhound get along with other dogs in my home?

Racing Greyhounds have lived all their lives with other Greyhounds, and generally enjoy the company of all breeds of dogs. Their easy-going nature extends to other dogs as well as people. Some Greyhounds will react with great interest to small, fluffy dogs, but generally do fine with them once they realize the little guys are dogs too. As with cats, they should be introduced slowly and cautiously.

Do Greyhounds make good watchdogs?

No. Greyhounds bark very little, and usually are as friendly with strangers as they are with their own family. Greyhounds' sizes may intimidate potential "bad guys," but that's about the extent of their protective abilities.

Do Greyhounds have any genetic abnormalities common to the breed?

Because racing Greyhounds are bred exclusively for function and temperament rather than to emphasize a particular "look," they have no genetic related abnormalities. For example, they have one of the lowest incidences of hip dysplasia of all breeds.

Greyhounds' low percentage of body fat makes them somewhat sensitive to some anesthesia agents, but there are commonly used anesthetics that are safe for Greyhounds. Adopters should discuss anesthesia requirements with their veterinarian and make sure that he is familiar with Greyhound sensitivities in the area. Greyhounds should not wear flea collars, but topical flea treatments like Advantage and Frontline are safe for them.

How much do Greyhounds eat?

We recommend 3 - 6 cups of a premium dry food per day for former racers. Ideal "pet weight" for Greyhounds is no more than 5 pounds over their registered racing weight, and we always urge adopters to resist the temptations to "fatten up that skinny Greyhound" by feeding him as much as he will eat. Greyhounds can be "chow hounds", but will hold the right weight very well if fed a moderate amount of good dog food.

Do Greyhounds need much grooming or bathing? Do they shed much?

Very little, on both counts. Because Greyhounds have little oil in their skin, they have no "doggy odor," and stay sweet-smelling for long periods between baths. Their coats are short and sleek, making Greyhounds very low maintenance dogs when it comes to grooming. While we wouldn't go so far as to characterize Greyhounds as hypo-allergenic, many Greyhound adopters who have previously had allergic reactions to other breeds of dogs report that they have no trouble with a Greyhound in the home.

Will I get registrations papers with my adopted Greyhound?

Racing Greyhounds are not registered with the AKC, but are registered with the National Greyhound Association (NGA), the official registry for all American racers. Our Greyhounds sometimes come with their Certification of Registrations, and we will provide that document to you if it is available to us. The NGA is very supportive of Greyhound adoptions, and is always very helpful to those adopters who want to research their Greyhound's pedigree.

What challenges do Greyhounds face in making a transition from track to home?

Most Greyhounds have never encountered stairs, sliding glass doors, mirrors, or toys. They are very bright, and with gentle guidance from their new family, will quickly master these. Watching a Greyhound delight in learning to play with toys (especially the furry squeaky variety) is great fun.