Frequently Asked Questions

Greyhounds wear muzzles during a race for two reasons.

• The muzzles enable race officials determine the outcome of a photo-finish race.

  • A photo-finish race is one in which two hounds appear to have crossed the finish line at the same time. 

  • The muzzle, because of its colours and construction, allows the officials to use a photo and see which greyhound’s nose passed the finish line first.

• The muzzles protect the greyhounds from injury during the excitement of the race, because greyhounds can be very competitive while on the track. 

  • Despite their competitive nature, greyhounds are usually very gentle and docile creatures in the home.

Most healthy greyhounds will enjoy a lifespan of 12 to 14 years.

Most greyhound males are between 26 and 30 inches tall at the shoulder, and weigh between 55 and 85 pounds.

Females are usually slightly smaller, standing 23 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder and they weigh between 50 to 75 pounds.

Most greyhounds begin their career at approximately 16 months and may finish their racing career between the ages of 2 and 4 years.

If you are interested in adopting one of these exceptional creatures you should forward us a completed application. After which, a representative will do the reference checks and then contact you for a home visit. The representatives will bring one of their own dogs to your home to evaluate the reaction of your family and current pets and the personality of a dog that would fit your needs. We will also go into more detail about helping to transition the greyhound to its new life as a companion animal. If you choose to proceed with the adoption after this step, a dog will be selected for you. The duration of the process depends upon whether or not we have foster hounds available or if we are waiting for new hounds to arrive from Australia. But we will keep you informed throughout the process.

Our adoption fee is $650.00.

• The hounds have been spayed or neutered, have had a dental, have received their vaccinations and are microchipped.

• We send all of our hounds into their new homes with a muzzle, a matching martingale leash and collar set (1" nylon) as well as a braided leather tag collar.

NEVER! Greyhounds are sighthounds and can see movement up to a kilometer away. It is impossible to know what may catch their attention and cause them run away. 

• A greyhound should never be let off-leash unless it is a fully fenced area.  It only takes a second for a tragic accident. Greyhounds are accustomed to walking on a leash and enjoy the exercise.

 With few exceptions, greyhounds should not be considered guard dogs.  In general, greyhounds don’t bark and tend to greet both friends and strangers in the same happy manner. 

Some of the greyhounds may have had some level of house training, but you must expect to house train your hound in its new surroundings.

Australian greyhounds are maintained in outdoor paddocks so they are used to toileting whenever they need to – they don’t have a schedule and they have never needed to ask to go out. In time, they will learn how to let you know, but first you need to take responsibility for establishing a schedule in place of the regular turn-out your dog is used to. And you will need to learn their body language to know when they are signaling that they need to go outside to potty.

Greyhounds are affectionate, friendly dogs who thrive on attention and human companionship.  As a result, they make wonderful and loving pets.

As a general rule, greyhounds are gentle and reasonably patient with children – and they tend to walk away from situations that distress them.  However, a greyhound is a dog, like any dog, and will have its limits, causing it to growl or snap.

No dog should ever be left alone (not even for just a second) with children under the age of 10 without adult supervision.

Greyhounds are very social, and usually enjoy the company of most animals, including other breeds of dog. Cats are something very new to greyhounds so extra time and patience may be required to properly introduce them. Approximately 70% of the greyhounds we’ve placed over the years have lived with cats. But introducing them has to be done in stages, and safe exit strategies must be in place for your cat. The group in Australia that we have partnered with does check to see if the hounds are “cat workable” but caution must still be taken through the introductory process.

Greyhounds are usually quiet and laid-back, and most would be excellent apartment dogs. However, like people, they do have different personalities and some may not be well suited for apartment living. 

If you live in an apartment, your landlord will be contacted prior to placement of a greyhound with you.

Greyhounds are not considered to be an energetic dog that requires a great deal of exercise.  In fact, one of their nicknames is "40 mile-an hour couch potatoes".  However, like every breed of dog, they do require some daily exercise, and we recommend that they receive at least 30 minutes of walking (on-leash) each day. Walks are an important way to provide mental stimulation for your hound – most will enjoy the chance to check out new smells and have exposure to sounds and scents.

One of the joys of having greyhounds is that they easily adapt to the lifestyle of their new owners, and many enjoy jogging.  However, racing greyhounds are trained as sprinters and not long-distance runners.  It will take some time to ensure your greyhound is used to long walks or jogs. 

Greyhounds are housedogs. They are comfortable where you are comfortable, and should not be left outside alone for extensive periods in any weather conditions.

It is recommended that your greyhound have a winter coat (at minimum).  Raincoats and sweaters or light coats should also be considered for cool spring/fall weather. 

Many greyhounds learn to love the snow, but be sure to check between their feet for pieces of ice, a build-up of snow and salt after a walk or their romp in the yard.

You can expect a gentle and loving canine companion, who with a little time and patience, will become a much-loved addition to your family.  However, you must remember that everything about its home environment is foreign, and it should be expected that your new hound will be confused and very curious by its new surroundings.  Proper house manners and etiquette have to be learned, but because greyhounds are very intelligent, they will learn quickly.

Routine is the norm for greyhounds both prior to and during their racing careers.  As a result, greyhounds will adapt more readily and feel more comfortable is a routine is established and adhered to for feeding, relieving themselves and resting. 

The best medical care is preventative in nature. Your hound should have, at a minimum, an annual vet examination to ensure all vaccinations are kept current. Your greyhound should be checked for heartworm as well as other internal parasites and tick-borne diseases. Your hound must be placed on heartworm and tick preventative medication during the spring, summer and fall months. There are different medications available, but you should discuss with your vet which is the best option for your hound based upon your lifestyle.  

Each annual check-up should also include a CBC (complete blood count) as well as a urine and fecal sample.  The results of these tests provide valuable information to your vet as they monitor the health of your greyhound. 

NO! Greyhounds, like all sighthounds, are smart and sensitive dogs who respond best to positive reinforcement and force free training. E-collars and prong collars are considered aversive training tools and should NEVER be used on greyhounds or any other dogs.

Force free training is the method of training dogs without using force, coercion, threats or inflicting pain. Force free training is all about being kind to your hound and rewarding it for doing what you want – you set your hound up for success and then reinforce desirable behaviours rather than punishing undesirable ones. Force free training does not use any form of punishment – so hounds are not hurt, scared or stressed when they don’t do what is desired by the human. Prong collars and e-collars are never used, nor is any form of physical punishment. Dogs don’t need to be punished to learn, they learn just as quickly and more effectively without any punishment. The Greyhound Supporters does not promote or endorse the use of any aversive training methods.