Yes!  Most greyhounds are quiet, clean, laid-back, easygoing and affectionate dogs. Contrary to what you might think, they don’t zoom around the house, breaking furniture or crashing into walls! In fact, greyhounds are one of the best breeds of dog to choose as a companion animal and house pet (greyhounds are not suited to living as outdoor dogs).  They adapt well to home life including apartment-living. Most are social with other dogs.  Greyhounds can run fast when outdoors, of course, but most ex-racers are happy to saunter around the house and yard in your footsteps, or curl up in a comfy spot for a snooze. They are big dogs with a small footprint. And they reward their new adopters with affection and a sense of trusting, deep companionship.

 

 

Greyhounds are considered to be a large-size breed of dog. Using height at the shoulder as a reference, male greyhounds stand 26-30 inches tall and weigh upwards of 65 pounds. Females stand 23-26 inches tall and weigh upwards of 50 pounds. They are big dogs with a small footprint, laid-back and quiet, happy to curl up in a comfy spot and relax.

 

Greyhounds from racetracks are turned-out in groups and have developed a habit of relieving themselves outdoors. They are clean dogs by nature and know how to keep their living area unsoiled.  These factors, combined with specific advice from a trained GAC representative at the time of adoption, help transition the newly adopted greyhound into life as a cherished and easily house-trained pet.

GAC has placed many greyhounds into families with children and other pets.  Most greyhounds are great with kids, although, like any other breed of dog, even the gentlest greyhound has his limits if confronted with a child who is unruly.

Our Adoption Center experts evaluate every greyhound in the adoption program.  Only greyhounds who like kids, and are gentle toward them, are placed in homes with children.  We want the dog to be happy with his new family, and the family to be happy with their new greyhound.

In addition to screening greyhounds for “kid-friendliness” each dog is temperament tested around small animals, including cats and other breeds of dog.

Thousands of greyhounds have been successfully placed in homes with cats.  GAC experts can even determine which greyhounds awaiting adoption are more likely to be okay with birds or even pet rabbits.

The greyhound racing industry produces a surplus of greyhounds every year and those that are not rescued are killed. GAC takes in ex-racing greyhounds (typically two to five years old), as well as seniors, puppies, greyhound mixes and non-racing greyhounds, ill or injured greyhounds, and those that are shy, challenging or otherwise may be overlooked or left behind. We keep all our dogs for as long as it takes to find the right home.

 

The answer often comes as a surprise:  No, they don’t.  In fact greyhounds are content to hang around on the sofa or their comfy dog beds most of the time.   They do need regular exercise though, but probably less than most active breeds.

Regular walks are enough.  After all, greyhounds are built for sprinting short distances, not for endurance running.