5 Great Reasons to Adopt a Greyhound
Greyhounds are most familiar for their record-setting speeds, but that’s not all that makes them appeal to canine enthusiasts. Owners of the world’s fastest dog also know that the breed is an affectionate companion and welcome addition to the family. Could the speedy Greyhound be the perfect pup for you?
A Greyhound Can Thrive in Small Spaces
Though they’re known for their impressive speed around the track, Greyhounds don’t really need much in the way of exercise. They’ll happily join you as a jogging partner (and they require daily walks like any dog), but their favorite pastime may be relaxing on the couch. This makes them a great choice for urban dog lovers who might not have the space to accommodate a high-energy dog. Slim and sedate, Greyhounds fit perfectly into even the smallest apartments thanks to their cat-like frames and personalities. They’re fairly quiet dogs too, so there’s no need to worry about disturbing your neighbors.
Greyhounds Don’t Require Much Grooming
Greyhounds don’t require extensive grooming either. They can make do with regular at-home brushing alone and don’t need baths very often. Don’t forget that the Greyhound’s lean build and short hair don’t do much to keep them warm in the winter. Purchase gear for cold weather before heading out for walks in the winter months.
A Greyhound Is a Friend for Life
Welcome home a Greyhound and you won’t just have a new pet. You’ll have an affectionate companion, a real friend for life. Greyhounds are notable for developing strong bonds with their owners. Count on your Greyhound to curl up next to you whenever they’ve got the chance. Beware, Greyhounds probably aren’t a great choice if you aren’t interested in quality time.
Greyhounds Get Along with Others
Thanks to their calm and gentle temperament, Greyhounds tend to make fast friends with their new housemates. Just make sure to take it slow, especially if your dog was poorly socialized in the past. Introduce new sights and sensations at a deliberate pace to ensure your new dog makes a smooth transition into home life. You should also keep in mind that the breed retains a fairly strong prey drive. While it probably won’t lead to them chasing your Chihuahua around the house, make sure to keep them leashed in instances where rabbits, squirrels, or other small animals could catch their attention.
Need more help familiarizing your Greyhound with home life? Check out these resources from The Greyhound Project, a non-profit organization focused on finding homes for retired racing Greyhounds.
Adoption Can Save a Life
Across the nation, shelter populations are diverse, featuring a broad range of pets waiting to find forever homes. Depending on where you live, however, adoption centers may house an outsized number of Greyhounds. Florida officially outlawed Greyhound racing in 2020. As a result, the Sunshine State is one of many where thousands of retired Greyhounds are now looking for families.
For advocacy groups, victories against the dog racing industry represent a mixed blessing. “We’re very happy to see the U.S. Greyhound industry in decline,” says the Greyhound Adoption Center’s Darren Rigg, “but we’re very worried about the deluge of surplus track dogs.” Organizations like Rigg’s now need to refocus their efforts to not only outlaw dog racing, but spread awareness of the value of adoption. As Riggs says, “We are preparing for the worst, but hoping for the best.”
While rates are declining, 1.5 million pets are still euthanized in shelters each year. No matter how much they’d like to, shelters cannot afford to provide indefinite care to every pet they encounter. That means choosing to adopt often literally saves lives. Check our guide to adoption centers and animal shelters near you and remember to read up on the commitment (financial and otherwise) of pet parenthood.