Ten Reasons to Adopt a Greyhound and Change your Life
Greyhounds are very adaptable and this is one of my most favourite of all the Ten Reasons to Adopt a Greyhound!
From the moment I signed the adoption papers for Sabrina (aka Beanie) until almost 12 hours later when we finally arrived home – she rolled with everything!
Beanie experienced the Pacific Ocean for the first time and she absolutely loved it.
She travelled in her crate in the back of my SUV for almost 12 hours without a peep.
She had bathroom breaks in a few different places without a fuss.
Finally, sailing on her first ever ferry boat and she just took it all in.
Top Practical Reasons to Adopt a Greyhound
No. 1 Greyhounds Learn Quickly and can adapt to any situation
Greyhounds might come from a sheltered life in their Greyhound Racing kennels, but they’re very quick learners and most are super adaptable dogs!
Everything will be new to them when they join your family in their new home.
For instance, when Sabrina first arrived, she had never climbed stairs. But within a very short time, she was going up and down like a pro!
I did show her how to safely go up and down on the (outdoor) stairs at the local high school and we went up and down those once or twice a day while on our walk.
This was key to her trusting the huge staircase in her new home.
At first, Sabrina didn’t know how to play with toys, which was a bit sad. But I introduced her to some fun squeaky toys, and soon she was throwing her stuffed dinosaur toy around the room!
Watching her chase a piece of fluff or a butterfly in the garden has been for me such an experience of incredible joy.
I did have to teach her it was OK to take food from me and even five years later Sabrina is still cautious about taking a treat from my hand. This was obviously from someone from her Greyhound Racing days who had to have taught her not to take food from anyone’s hand.
Even when we moved from the city Victoria on Vancouver Island to the big city of Vancouver she didn’t seem to mind!
The one thing we did proactively was take her to a hotel a few months beforehand so when we stayed there during our move she would be familiar with the hustle and bustle of a busy city hotel.
And most important having her ride in the elevator and get accustomed to noisy traffic was high on the socialization list.
Turns out in the end, we moved during the pandemic and had a Five-Star hotel all to ourselves with the exception of a couple other families that were also moving.
Sabrina loved that hotel and all the staff there. If you are ever planning a holiday to Victoria on Vancouver Island I highly recommend the Magnolia Hotel.
No. 2 Greyhounds are Used to Being Handled
Greyhounds are often pretty comfortable being handled, which makes veterinarian visits and at-home care much easier.
These are some of the special things I do to keep Sabrina groomed and healthy:
I brush and (scale when needed) Sabrina’s teeth twice weekly.
Her nails are Dremmeled twice a week.
Her ears are checked for debris and loose hair regularly and I use a gentle coconut oil ear cleanser.
I vacume her coat once or twice a week. Sabrina goes crazy for this and absolutely loves it.
She loves both an outdoor bath in the summer and playing in the garden sprinklers.
Greyhounds just want to feel safe and loved
No. 3 Greyhounds Are the Perfect Companions
Despite their cruel pasts, Greyhounds are incredibly sweet and love being close to their humans.
When they first come to live with you, some will quickly form strong bonds. Others, like Sabrina, will take longer.
Sabrina has a big heart and has plenty of love to share with others too! She adores my family and friends.
While I work from home, she’s a great companion, either happily resting in her bed with her favourite stuffy or next to my feet at the desk.
I find Sabrina to be extremely intuitive to my feelings.
If I am upset, not feeling well or even sad, she will stick to me like glue but not in a needy way. What she will do is curl up at my feet but she makes sure she is only slightly touching them.
Most Greyhounds I’ve met are pretty quiet and rarely bark.
If you’re like me and prefer a peaceful home, a Greyhound might be just what you’re looking for!
I actually wasn’t sure if Sabrina could bark at all for the first few months.
She saves her bark and her growl for when she’s in protection mode like the time there was an intruder in our back yard.
Most recently, Sabrina protected me while we were surrounded by three coyotes.
Don’t Underestimate the Greyhound and what they may be capable of!
No. 4 Greyhounds Are Very Smart and Trainable
Some Greyhounds can be shy and this can be misinterpreted for being aloof or unfriendly.
Greyhounds who have newly arrived to pet life can be shy - they just need time, kindness and patience to gain confidence.
To be honest, while Sabrina has long grown out of her shyness, she can be aloof at times.
But, that is just fine with me as I look at it as her way of protecting herself or sending a message to me that she is unsure of that person.
Or she just doesn’t trust the situation that person presents.
Either way, it’s just part of the Greyhound and their very complex personality that makes them so special.
Having said all that, Greyhounds typically are very friendly, willing to please, and very smart!
With a little patience and consistent positive reinforcement, they can learn commands quickly.
I’ve taught Sabrina several commands, including hand signals, and it’s so rewarding to see her catch on so fast.
Training sessions can be a fun way to bond and keep their minds active!
After having three Doberman Pinschers, I had to completely change the way that I trained with Sabrina.
I always speak softly, if Sabrina gets overwhelmed I take a break.
And I use lots of treats and encouragement.
Training for a Greyhound like Sabrina is best in short snippets. No more than five minutes at a time.
It’s ok to use the word No but very minimally as in Sabrina’s case she is very sensitive to negativity.
I like to look at training from Sabrina’s point of view: Much like a game of ‘What is in it for me?’
No. 5 They’re Easy to Keep Clean and they Smell Good
Greyhounds have short coats that are super easy to maintain with a regular brushing.
If they do get muddy, you can simply sponge off the mud with a damp towel.
There is no need for constant baths! I only bathe Sabrina about once every six months, if that.
Sabrina has virtually no odour, except that I always say she smells delicious like sugared donuts.
Even when she is wet from rain or running through the garden sprinklers she has no odour!
Secretly this is another of my favourite Reason to Adopt a Greyhound!!
greyhounds are known to make silly faces to keep you entertained
even more Reasons to Adopt a Greyhound
No. 6 wonderful leash manners
For a large dog, Greyhounds are surprisingly gentle and don’t tend to pull their leash, making walks a breeze!
While I wouldn’t recommend giving a large dog to a child or someone who might struggle physically, most adults will find them manageable.
For example, Sabrina weighs about 30 kg, which is fine for most people.
Just keep in mind that many Greyhounds may be a bit nervous in new environments, so it’s important to build their confidence gradually using positive reinforcement.
No. 7 Greyhounds are Master Nappers
You might have heard that Greyhounds can sleep up to 20 hours a day, and I can confirm that’s true!
Sabrina loves her lazy mornings - she’ll get up for breakfast and a quick bathroom break, then back to bed for an hour or two, then its either a 30 minute run or a 50 minute walk.
It’s wonderful because it means I can get things done around the house while she happily snoozes away.
As long as you provide a proper walk, a comfy bed or a spot on your couch, they’ll be perfectly content to relax until it’s time for the next adventure.
Keep in mind that a proper walk differs from one Greyhound to another. Some will be more active and will require longer walks and some will be on the lazier side and will need a shorter walk.
No. 8 Greyhounds Are Gentle and Calm
Despite their racing backgrounds, many Greyhounds are surprisingly calm and gentle.
They tend to have a mellow demeanor, making them great companions for relaxing days at home.
Sabrina is a perfect example, after her walk, she’s usually happy to chill out and enjoy a lazy afternoon with me.
Or tuck up into a ball and hang out in the office with me.
One of the best Reasons to Adopt a Greyhound - is to save a very deserving life!
Please Consider Rescuing an Ex-Racing Greyhound
No. 9 They Are Incredibly Deserving
This point might just be the most important.
Governments in countries like Australia, England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland are still backing the risky business of Greyhound racing.
Even though the general public of most of those countries is revulsed by it.
Sadly, Ireland continues to lead in the breeding and exporting of Racing Greyhounds.
Breeding some 20,000 Greyhounds and live exporting them somewhere in the number of 8,000 hounds to countries like England and Australia.
And, in some countries, like Australia, new racetracks are being built in parks, neighborhoods, and wetlands, all funded by taxpayers' money.
The Greyhounds that don’t make the cut to become a money making racer face unfortunate fates—some are abandoned or end up in shelters waiting for homes.
Still many have absolutely no place to go.
Some Greyhounds simply and without any regard have their lives taken from them.
The dogs that do race have tough and often violent lives in kennels, and if they’re injured or not fast enough, they’re typically discarded.
Usually in ways not for the faint of heart because not one of these countries consider the Greyhound a dog.
What this means is that given the Greyhound is not a dog it does not have any animal welfare law on the books to protect it.
It’s heartbreaking that this is the case in these countries, especially when you see how loving and sweet Greyhounds like Sabrina can be.
They truly deserve a loving home where they can be spoiled and shown the world.
No. 10 Greyhounds Are a Rescue Success Story
By adopting a Greyhound, you’re giving a loving home to a dog who truly deserves it.
Many of them come from very difficult and often cruel backgrounds in either the racing or hunting industries, and finding a forever home can change their lives for the better.
Watching a Greyhound do Zoomies in the snow for the first time or play with a new toy is one of the most beautiful sights you’ll ever see.
Their joy and freedom are truly heartwarming. And I promise that you’ll feel that happiness in your own heart too!
Adopting a greyhound can truly transform your life as well, bringing joy, love, and companionship into your home!
I hope you will consider one of the many, if not all of the Reasons to Adopt a Greyhound and one day adopt your own Greyhound!
