Home : Groups : It's Raining DOGS! Dog Lovers Group

Should We Adopt a Greyhound ?

My wife, daughter and I are considering adopting a Greyhound. We met with the agency people many months ago and are still kicking around the idea. I've owned dogs and cats in the past when we lived on 10 acres, and they were free to roam the property. Now, we're in the city with a home and fenced yard. My understanding is that Greyhounds are strictly indoor pets, so we wonder how much damage and inconvenience they would bring.

Also, as we come and go a lot, is the Greyhound a good choice that can be left alone for 3-4 hours at a time? Or any pet for that matter?

We've read a couple of books on Greyhounds that answer many questions, but I'd love to hear from those of you that own or have owned them. I think we'd make terrific owners and am leaning toward adopting before summer. We're open to altering our lifestyle and home to one of these outstanding dogs.

Any input is greatly appreciated.

Bob Volanti Coldwell Banker Premier Real Estate

Clovis, Ca www.getbobv.com

Posted by Bob Volanti Fresno and Clovis, Ca Realtor on 03/31/2008 01:40 PM

Comments (17)

17 Comments on Should We Adopt a Greyhound ?

MAR

2008

Hi Bob,

I'm a greyhound owner and volunteer for one of the rescue kennels. You sound the the perfect human for a grey! As long as you select a dog that doesn't appear to have separation anxiety issues, you should be fine. The agency in your area should be able to tell you a bit about the personality of each dog that is available. Spend a little time with a few of them, and you will know who is calm and who is a bit more "high-maintenance". My Kayce came into my home without a singe issue - no "accidents", no chewing, nothing! I leave her alone for up to 8 hours (we worked up to that so she understands that mommy always comes back). I live in a townhouse without a fenced yard, and she doesn't mind a bit. She gets regular walks and a nice soft doggie bed, and she's happy as can be.

I good rescue organization should let you foster first if you want to try it out, or "foster-to-adopt", meaning you get a week or ten days before the adoption is final in case it doesn't work out.

As you can tell, I think they are the most wonderful pets! Please give one a try - they need you!

greyhound with toys

Kayce with her toys and blankets

Thank You Dawn,

You've convinced me. Kayce's an excellent salesperson too! How could I resist ?

My wife bought a dog bed at Costco a couple of months ago, and we have it in our family room ready to meet it's pet. Your answers were what I needed to hear. We'll sign up this evening.

We were told that they will come to our house and check us out as prospective owners and it could be up to a month before we welcome our new family member. Last night we took a walk and imagined how excited we'd be to have a Greyhound with us and how the Greyhound would love the Cottonwood Dog Park and surrounding trails, just blocks from our house.

Thanks again for your help and dedication to the rescue of these wonderful dogs, and thank Kayce too for being a great ambassador.

Bob Volanti Coldwell Banker Premier Real Estate

Clovis, Ca www.getbobv.com

Aloha Bob,

My partner has rescued a Greyhound in the past and will do it again when the time is right. You are asking the right questions, and from my partners experience they make wonderful additions to the family.

Good luck,

Yeah Bob! Let me know how it goes! And get lots of squeaky toys... greyhound with toy

Thanks Kimo for your reply and I hope you're right.

Aloha from Central California

It sounjds as if you would be a great home for a retired Greyhound. Hope you get one!

Dawn,

We signed up tonight and will wait to hear from the agency folks. We're excited and are ready to welcome a new addition to our family. Those pics of Kayce get us even more revved up, as we try to imagine what our pet will look like.

Heck, even buying supplies, toys and such is a treat. Thanks again.

APR

2008

Thank You for the compliment Gayle. Glad you stopped by. We hope so too as you can tell.

Hello Bob - You will not find a better pet. We adopted Racey Grey in 2001 and she passed away last year, but in her brief time on earth she was responsible for the adoption of six greyhounds. Everyone who came in contact with her fell in love with her, including our 95 lb. Rhodesian Ridgeback, Jonah!

Coldwell Banker Supports Greyhounds, Northwest Florida Real Estate, Robin Shrman

Racey was not a pretty girl when she came to live with us. She was about three years old, showed signs of abuse and was very shy. Jonah was a big help in her growing accustomed to being a pet. She shied away from my husband and son for about six months, but gradually came to trust them.

We have a fenced back yard and once a day Racey and Jonah would run - and I mean run - like a couple of crazy things in big circles. Racey was all "fast twitch" muscles and she was amazing at cornering and zig-zagging. Jonah could never catch her although he always tried. After their 5 to 10 minute run they both passed out on their beds. That's about all the exercise she ever needed.

Racey always had a smile on her face. Really - everyone commented that she smiled. When we walked on the road she always went and found the yellow line and walked right down the middle of it. She loved ice cream. She loved Jonah. She loved us!

Bless you for adopting one of these precious dogs. You will never be sorry.

Bob - Here's a tip for your greyhound that I forgot to include in my previous post. At our Ridgeback breeder's suggestion we began giving them flax seed oil capsules with their food (twice a day), along with a half spoon of kelp. Her coat really improved (Mr. Ridgeback already had a pretty coat, but it became more shiny). We also discovered something called Prozyme that I order over the Internet. It helps with digestion so keeps the air smelling sweet (Well . . . these are large dogs after all!).

We never had any accidents or problems with destruction. Racey didn't know what to do with toys for months, but eventually adopted a pink bunny as her baby.

Robin,

Thanks very much for the advice and the great photos too ! I have not heard one bad thing yet about these wonderful dogs. Although they seem to prove the axiom of "better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all". My wife, teenage daughter and I are looking forward to the day of adoption, and today, April Fools Day, my wife woke me up at 5:30 am to tell me the Greyhound people were here! I excitedly got up! April Fools .

Thanks again for your post, and help.

I think I would like your wife - great prank! :-)

Thanks Dawn, you would like her. My first thought was "boy these people are fast and maybe we shouldn't have put contact us anytime on the form".

Have a great day!

APR

2008

Hi Bob,

When is the big day?

Greyhounds are wonderful dogs. I had a whippet and it was the ultimate couch potato. Be prepared for the fact that they will not want to lie on the floor. They are so bony that it is not comfortable. Also like any sight hound do not let them run off leash. If they see something to chase they will be gone in a heartbeat and by the time they stop they can be far from home and not know where they are. I also have founf that they like stuffed animals and soft toys. Greyhound rescue in some areas will not let you have a dog unless you have a six foot high fence.

Good luck and enjoy!

Thank you for the advice Pam. Good to know. I think our fencing is about 7 feet so we should be ok.

Dawn,

I talked with Jim from the adoption center. This weekend we have a "Big Hat Days" in Clovis. The adoption center will have a booth and Jim and staff will be there. I'll take some pics on Saturday. He's coming to our house next week to check us out, and he thinks from our conversations, that we'll be ok'd.

So, as I told my daughter, "we're getting closer". Could be up to a month to get the right fit, he says. I let him know that as first time owners, I'll leave it up to him to find the right fit for us. I'll keep you posted and watch for the pics Saturday eve. Thank you for your help and interest.

Leave a response…

Name:

Email:
(optional)

Comment:

What does the graphic say?