Frequently Asked Questions

Click any question to read the answer.

• How old are Greyhounds when they retire?
  Most Greyhounds begin racing at 16 months, and finish between the ages of 2 and 5 years. They may retire due to injury, lack of skill or simply slow speed (40 mph instead of 41 mph).
• Are Greyhounds abused or mistreated at the track?
  No. Racing Greyhounds is a business and the dogs are well cared for while actively racing. People make money by winning races, and a hurt, abused, unhealthy or mistreated dog isn't going to be winning any races.
• How long do Greyhounds live?
  Most healthy Greyhounds will enjoy a lifespan of 12-15 years.
• Are Greyhounds aggressive animals?
  No. Greyhounds are seldom aggressive towards other dogs and they tend to accept human handling very well. Like most other friendly dog breeds, if they do growl or snap, they do so out of fear. Introducing your Greyhound to smaller animals and children, however, should always be supervised.
• Why are Greyhounds muzzled if they aren't aggressive?
  Muzzles are simply used for safety reasons. Greyhounds have very thin, delicate skin. They're muzzled while racing because simply bumping into another Greyhounds teeth can cause their skin to rip or tear. In the home, we sometimes recommend muzzles when introducing your Greyhound to new shapes and sizes of animals as a safety precaution.
• Are Greyhounds hyper dogs that require lots of exercise?
  No. Greyhounds require no more exercise than most other breeds of dogs. In fact, they are known to sleep upwards of 18 hours a day – longer if you let them. Learn more about Greyhounds exercise requirements here
• Do Greyhounds suffer from particularly bad teeth?
  Greyhound mouths are like human mouths – some are healthier than others. It tends to depend on what type of food they were fed while racing, but most Greyhounds do require daily dental care. This usually consists of giving their teeth a quick scrub down with a toothbrush.
• What is bloat and are Greyhounds susceptible to it?
  Because Greyhounds are deep-chested dogs, they are susceptible to bloat. Bloat is a medical condition in which the dogs stomach becomes overstretched by excessive gas. It is an emergency medical condition that requires immediate attention from a veterinarian. Learn more about bloat on Wikipedia
• Do Greyhounds make good guard dogs?
  No, not in the way most people would expect from a guard dog. Greyhounds generally do not bark and are friendly even towards strangers. There are some exceptions, of course, but most just watch. They may let you know if someone is in the vicinity, but they do not guard.
• When can I let my Greyhound off leash when out of my fenced property?
  Never. Greyhounds are sighthounds and can see movement a half mile away. No matter how strong their attachment to their new life and family, the movement of something as simple as a leaf blowing in the wind may signal their centuries old instinct to chase.
• Can I just chain or tie my Greyhound up outside for exercise?
  No. Greyhounds can literally break their necks on a 10-foot chain. They reach full speed at three strides and can be moving at upwards of 40 mph when they reach the end of their chain.
• Are Greyhounds housebroken?
  Prior to their foster period, Greyhounds have never been inside a home. They live in a crate and, as such, are crate-trained and will not eliminate in their crate. Most Greys learn within a day or two that your house is their new crate, making house training very easy.
• Can I specify the colour and sex of my new dog?
  Greyhounds come in an amazing variety of colours – the National Greyhound Association registers 27 coat colours. Greyhounds are selected for their suitability as pets, not based on colour and our goal is to select the dog whose personality best suits your home. If you feel strongly about a certain colour, we will try to honour your request, but your waiting time will be increased.
• Can Greyhounds handle cold temperatures and snow?
  Greyhounds are housedogs. They are comfortable where you are comfortable, and should not be left outside for too long in any weather. For walks on especially cold days, we recommend a dog coat or sweater and remember to check between their pads for pieces of ice after a walk or their romp in the yard.
• What is the adoption process and how long does it take?
  The adoption process starts by filling out and mailing in the adoption application along with a non-refundable $100 deposit. Learn more about the adoption process here .
• If Greyhounds are unwanted at the track, why aren't they free?
  The adoption fee is used to provide the appropriate care and medical treatments our dogs require before they can be adopted out. All dogs are spayed or neutered and undergo fecal examinations, flea examinations and extensive blood tests, including tests for tick borne disease and heartworms. They also get their teeth cleaned, if required, and receive routine inoculations. In addition, we provide all our adopting families with a special safety collar and matching leash and muzzle. We suggest you call your veterinarian to investigate the costs of these services for any other dog. For any other questions, please feel free to contact us here .

For any other questions, please feel free to contact us here .