Is a Greyhound the Dog for You?

If you’ve ever encountered someone who works with Greyhounds, you’ve probably experienced firsthand how fiercely protective these people are of their former-racing friends. That’s because Greyhounds are very gentle animals, so they need to find a home with “parents” who are going to look out for their best interests. If you’re thinking about adopting a Greyhound, you should do a little research and talk to a representative at a rescue foundation. Here are some instances where adopting a Greyhound might not be the best fit for you.

1. You have young children. Greyhounds have very thin skin and they can get hurt easily. As you probably know, when a dog gets hurt, it is likely to nip or even bite. You don’t want to be in a situation where you have to give up your dog because there was an incident. That’s not a good situation for anyone. Having said that, though, Greyhounds are generally very gentle and not prone to biting when they’re unprovoked.

2. You’re looking for a dog that can be kept of the leash. This is one thing that is non-negotiable. These dogs are part of a class called sight hounds, which basically means that it’s in their blood to chase animals. If your Greyhound is off the leash and something catches its eye, it’ll bolt. And when I say bolt, I mean it. These dogs can run up to 40 miles per hour.

3. You don’t have a lot of free time. Although Greyhounds are generally low maintenance, they are dogs. Dogs are social animals and they need affection. If you don’t have enough time to dedicate to a dog, don’t get a Greyhound (or any other breed, for that matter).

And there’s one more thing that I thought was important to note. Although they are bred for racing, Greyhounds don’t necessarily enjoy running all the time. Some do; some don’t. Ask your rescue organization about the activity level of each dog before you bring it home. It’s always a good idea to find the right match upfront.