Questions and Answers about the greyhound . . .

How old are retired racers?
Greyhounds placed through the RH
program are usually 2 to 7 years old.  The younger dogs may not
have qualified for racing.  Most of the older dogs are recently
retired from racing because they are no longer competitive,
sometimes they have been returned to RH due to changes in a
families living conditions which prevents them from keeping the dog
any longer.
 
Do Greyhounds require a lot of exercise?
Greyhounds always enjoy walks, but they only actually need it 3 to
4 times a week, or twice a week they can be taken to a safe fenced
grassy area where they can sprint.  Daily access to a spacious,
fenced back yard also helps.  Greyhounds make excellent jogging
companions once they are trained and conditioned for longer
distances and the new pace.
 
Do Greyhounds need a special diet?
During their racing careers, greyhounds are fed a high energy diet
to help them perform at their peak.  However retired racers only
need a high quality dry dog food to provide nutrition and prevent
weight gain.  These foods are widely available from local pet
stores. 
 
Do Greyhounds have special medical needs?
Many people think of the greyhound as an exotic breed that
requires extra care and special attention.  Due to the low level of
body fat, greyhounds require a special type of anesthesia for
surgery and are sensitive to some chemical products such as items
used for flea control.  Due to the soft diet they are fed at the
track, some may require dental care for their teeth.  These things
are easily addressed by the Greyhound savvy Vet and support from
the RH staff of volunteers.

Coming Home.
We prefer that the dogs' first day in your home be
late in the week, so that you can spend the weekend getting to know
each other and allowing the greyhound to adjust to it's new lifestyle, much
different than what it has become accustomed to thus far.
 
One of the first things you need to teach an adopted greyhound are
the house rules.  Most greyhounds will naturally keep their
kennels clean, so house breaking is relatively simple.  Frequent
walks with timely praise teaches them that their new home is the
place they keep clean, and outside is the place where they go.  It
also helps to limit how much of the house the dog has access to at
first, gradually increasing their territory as they gain confidence.  
 
Greyhounds crave affection, and are very responsive to your
behavior.  Being used to sharing one human with a dozen or more
dogs in the kennel, adopted greyhounds are eager to please you,
and will soak up all the love you can give.  They are very sensitive
dogs, and can sense your moods quite easily by both your tone of
voice and demeanor.  You will find that when they aren't curled up
for naps, they like to follow you around the house and keep track
of where you are.  Greyhounds will become part of the family very
quickly.  Most are tolerant of children, and will walk away when
they have had enough.  Children must be taught to respect their
space.  As for other pets, having spent their entire lives with other
dogs in the kennel, most greyhounds will be very social animals and
get along well with other animal companions, cats included.