Six Truths on Adopting a Greyhound
I hope you’ll allow me to get off the DIY/Décor topic today about something near and dear to my heart that goes way back.
I’ve had a love affair with Greyhounds since I was a little girl. Usually the things we love today thread back to our childhood.
An old friend surfaced last Spring when my mom pulled out boxes of my childhood Barbies while purging out her attic. I was a die hard Barbie girl that meticulously organized all the dolls, clothes and housewares I adored. Barbie was the first to introduce me to the hound family through this shaggy Afghan Hound she had as a pet. Thanks Barbie!
Since then I wanted one too.
I have filled my house with hints of my greyhound love over the years. Pining away and waiting till the day I would have my very own greyhound.
I came as close as possible with the sweet little hound mix my husband and I adopted while we were dating. Rusty graced our lives for 17 years. He would be in the dog Hall of Fame if there was one. He was gracious, sweet and kind, my best buddy and always my shadow. He sealed the deal that hounds were my breed.
When we knew the end was coming we felt getting another dog might help us ease the pain of loosing our beloved Rusty. In the Spring of 2013 we adopted our girl, Gigi, a purebred greyhound. She’s a young blonde beauty that has filled our home with a fun loving spirit. I’m pretty sure she even helped Rusty hang on a little longer with her strong shot of youthful banter.
Since it took me over 10 years to convince my husband that we NEEDED a greyhound I’m guessing you might have similar reservations. April Is National Adopt-A-Greyhound Month so I wanted to shatter a few misconceptions, shed light on some truth and hopefully open up more eyes to adopting what I consider to be the best pet!
6 Truths on Adopting A Greyhound:
1. But I don’t have enough room, they need space to run!
Two myths in one. So not true. You have room. Even if you live in an apartment. Yes, you will need to walk and exercise your dog, but hopefully you would do that with any breed you adopted! They are 110% couch potatoes…it is one of their top nicknames and for good reason.
We take Gigi out and chase her around the yard for about 5 to 10 minutes a day. Because that’s all she wants to do. Then girlfriend is back laid up on her couch, happy as a lark, sawin’ logs. If you have room for a dog bed (or a couch you are willing to forfeit) and a leash that you will use, you are good to go.
2. But wait, I have a cat
Proof this is no excuse:
Now – not all greyhounds are cat friendly or even small dog friendly or kid friendly. The adoption process is very thorough if you go through a good agency. They test the waters on all dogs through foster homes before they adopt the dogs out into forever homes. You will have to bring in your entire family, including furry members, to meet potential adoption dogs. This meeting quickly shows who is going to get along and who is not. 
We meet three dogs on our family visit. One couldn’t even look at the kids she was so scared…not gonna work. The next had Rusty looking away in fear…a no go. Then Gigi trotted in and everyone had twinkles in their eyes and the heavens opened and said, “Here’s your girl!” We didn’t get a cat till later, but only because we felt certain after knowing Gigi for years that she would be ok with the situation. And obviously she is good with a multitude of friends.
3. The adoption process is a process
We got Gigi from Greyhound Pets of America – Houston and would HIGHLY recommend them. The adoption process is outlined on their website, but this is a heads up it isn’t like a local shelter where you go in and come home with a dog. They are serious about forever homes and you will go through interviews, a home visit and a site visit or two to assure you are a match. The process works and you will gain a ton of knowledge and resources along the way. The process will clarify things so you know if this is the right breed for you or not!
4. On Leash
I have to say, one thing I wish was different is the fact Gigi, as do 99.9% greyhounds, has to be on a leash when not enclosed in our yard. They are sighthounds, born and bred to chase. They are curious and even if Gigi isn’t running she can cover more ground than me in a flash if she gets out.
This is 100% for their safety, even the best trained greyhound will not stop when it sets it’s sights on a target, like a squirrel, rabbit, cat or even another dog. It ‘s just who they are. She has gotten better about even wanting to get out and the last time she snuck out the front door she came back to the house on her own. Our old dog hardly ever wore a leash and just followed along. It’s something to be aware of and really just one more reason these sweet dogs need a caring owner like you!
5. Retired racer
Our girl actually never raced and we got her very young, which is not the norm. Most adoptable pets will be retired racers, aged 3 to 5 years. You get to skip some of the puppy years! This age means they were raised on a dog farm, retired and then put out for adoption. A dog farm is different than a regular home and many things like swimming pools and glass doors are new to them. They have to be introduced to their new surroundings. 
When we had the home visit a representative from the agency brought her two hounds to our house to point out areas that may be hazardous to our new pet. Her dog ran straight into our pool. It has a net and it looked like a solid surface, which it isn’t, and he ran straight out and fell through. I thought our adoption chances might be tainted, but all was fine and we saw first hand that these pups are raised differently than most.
6. New Lingo
Gigi has brought more than fun and beauty to our home she has brought a whole new set of vocabulary. Some are terms that come with greyhounds, some we just invented because of her. Stuff like couch potato and needle nose. Cockroaching and our personal addition of chitter chattering because of the way she rattles her teeth.
They have goofy tongues that hang out and floppy ears that mind their own business. You’ll have to dive into the rich history of the breed to see all the fun new stuff this unique relationship can add to your world.
I could go on, but I won’t except to say check out a greyhound. You just might be surprised!
Here are a few more resources for you to check out:
Retired Racing Greyhounds For Dummies
10 Reasons to Adopt a Greyhound by Adopt-a-Greyhound.org
Please share this post so another hound can find a home! Thank you!
I remember when we got the call from Houston interviewing us bout how you all would be as greyhound parents. They were serious about their job! I loved that because it showed us their sincerity in making sure these dogs made it into loving environments. Gigi is precious!
yes! They are serious and that is a great thing…thanks for vouching for us 🙂
My son volunteered for a Greyhound Rescue place here in San Diego when he was in high school. He loved that breed so much. Our neighbors have 3 rescue greyhounds and they are the gentlest animals and also the slowest walking dogs I’ve ever seen! Your Gigi is a beauty.
I bet that was a great experience for him. They are so sweet and slow, contrary to the perception! We agree Gigi is a beauty 🙂
I love this post so much! Rusty forever will have a spot in my heart since it was his story that brought us together!
Someone just asked me the other day how I knew you and I felt to silly to explain it was through our lost dogs, so I just said we both blog lol, but so true our sweet pets were looking out for us and brought us together!
We recently added two three year old rescues from our local track, our fourth and fifth greys over the years. They join our three cats. We definitely agree with you. They are sweet and lovable additions to any family! The adoption is a process. As with all breeds, they each have their own distinctive personalities. It’s important to find the right fit for you and the grey.
I have days when O want another, but I’m pretty sure I have enough mouths to feed for the moments, but…when we add another it will be a grey for sure. So glad you stopped by!
I am also a greyhound owner. Our girl was almost five when we adopted her ( she just turned eleven) and did race but other than that, your experience was the same as ours. Great article and I agree word for word! One question…. Where did you get that adorable collar with the pink flower on it in the first picture? I must get one for my Nan!
So glad you agree. I got the collar on etsy…just search for Martingale collars and you will find some great choices. We’ve had hers a while and are so happy with it, but I can’t remember the company name off the top of my head! sorry!
I’m not in the market for a dog but you present a great case! I love the fact that your dog is just another kid in the family!!!!!
She is the fourth kid for sure and she is partial to her sister! You’ll have to check them out should you decide to add on to your family Sandy!
My husband and I currently have two wonderful greys. We had three, but we had to let go of our brindle boy last July 4th. He was just three months shy of his fifteenth birthday. I still miss him. He was my heart dog. Although we have loved every dog we’ve ever had, the greys are special. They are sweet, gentle and loving. They seem to have a sixth sense when you aren’t feeling well and will come up to you and let you know they are there for you. I don’t ever want to be without one as long as I live. They are the best dogs on the planet!
I’m so sorry for your loss. It is so hard when you love them so. I agree they know what is going on and will be right by your side through it all!
My personal companion now is a dachshund. I met a golden grey once when my husband was visiting friends. I went into the house to find him. I felt a presence behind me and turned face to face with this huge dog. She was friendly and the most beautiful dog I have ever seen. I spent rest of the day with her.
Don’t tell my Dixie.
We got our grey about 3 months ago. Prior to owning Daisy we’ve always had whippets and I was after another whippet when Daisy became available for adoption.
She has the same personality as a whippet and consequently fitted in here straight away.
We got her friom GAP Greyhound Adoption Programme here in Brisbane Australia.
The adoption procedure here is exactly the same as in Houston, very selective with whom they place the greys with.
Make really great pets!
Gordon Wiseman
Pottsville Australia.
SO crazy to know it is the same all the way over there! My best friend had whippets growing up and I always loved them, such sweet temperaments. I hope you enjoy your Daisy as much as we love our Gigi!
I fell in love with a friend’s Whippet but I had always had Collie sized dogs so I set out to find a Greyhound. I had never see one. That was in 1968 and I have had Greyhounds ever since. My sister, who adopted one of mine, described them as “The best kept secret in dogs.” Hers made it to fourteen.
I love to hear this and I agree, they are such sweet dogs!!! Thank you for sharing!
We adopted Emma from the Humane League. We had just lost our Lab I never ever thought I would get over Jack.
But little by little Emma wrapped me around her lovely kind heart.I feel in love like never before. She loves.everything especially runs walks people and car rides
. She’s not also a small one.
sweet baby – they are such gentle dogs. I just love them!
You forgot to mention another three thruths about greyhounds. One is when you have one, you Will constantly live with the feeling you need a second one. Second is you Will feel the need to buy all sorts of greyhound related things. Keyholders, ‘tshirts, paintings, statues.your house might end up as a greyhound Temple. Third is the loss of your identity. People Will no longer know your name. You Will be known as “the man/woman with the greyhound” people Will know the name of your dog, and where your dog lives. But they have know idea Who you are anymore. Untill you tell them you are the owner of the greyhound. Then they Will ask for your dog. Not how you are doing. Be aware of that
Oh you’re so right!!! That’s exactly what happens & my name in my old neighbourhood was ” the nice lady who owns that GIGANTIC black dog, greyhound, beastie (put in any word), bus….
Our retired racer, Daisy gets on with everyone – canine or human. She travels well in the car & like most hounds can sleep for hours unless there is the promise of a walk. Our late galgo welcomed her with open paws & they would occupy the 7 foot sofa in a tangle of legs.
My beautiful shiny black boy Mouse would like to send Miss Gigi a cold wet nose boop – he says she’s very pretty… Like Gordon Wiseman who commented earlier, we adopted him from GAP, from the branch in Townsville, north Queensland. He’d been a fairly unsuccessful racer and was retired at 4 years old, which was our great good fortune. He goes everywhere with us on all our travels, and sleeps with us in our camper trailer, no mean feat for a small trailer, two adults and a very tall doggo. Another truth about greyhounds is that they *always* lie right behind your feet when you’re working in the kitchen, and you quickly learn to check before stepping backwards….
We got Jake from the RSPCA in Somersby, he was 1week from being out down & we couldn’t let that happen. He was 5& a half, he was a champion, recently retired and been breeding. In other words, no use anymore, so they gave him away.
He didn’t know how to be a dog, let alone a pet, but he knew certain things. He walked beautifully on lead, he knew that cats could bully him & they did but he lived with 3 of them and they all got along. He truly knew how to love and trust his main human, Me & if I was around everywhere was safe. It was a learning curve for both of us but the trust & love bond we shared was incredible. Possibly the most connected I’d had with any dawg I ever owned.
He was the most generous, silly, loving, ridiculous, gentle, kleptomaniac, beautiful, un-cordinated, graceful, ludicrous, intelligent & stoopid hound to ever stand on my foot or lean on my leg, & the biggest baby we’ve ever owned.
He was gigantic, he truly was & his enormous heart gave us everything till the night he passed away in my arms, when it was just worn out. Jake left us at 13, he gave us the best 7yrs & the best of himself every single second of those years & I believe he finally knew what it was to be loved.
That’s what sharing your life with a rescue is about. Knowing you did make life better for another creature on this earth and showing love to a living being that has never had that before. They save your life, never the other way round. Love to Jake & to each of you and your hounds❤️(his main nickname was Skip cause of his Skippy The Kangaroo paws)☺️
so so sweet. they are truly wonderful – thank you for sharing your story and experience!