Yes! Greyhounds make great pets.
Greyhounds are unique and adaptable companions that can suit a wide range of households and lifestyles. With their sweet nature, low-maintenance grooming needs, minimal genetic health issues, and easygoing temperament, greyhounds make an excellent choice for a first dog or a 50th dog.
Whether you’re living in a busy family home, a quiet rural setting, or an apartment, there’s likely a greyhound that would love to fit right into your life. These human oriented dogs are just as happy being part of a big family as they are lounging beside a solo human.
When you adopt a greyhound through Greyhounds as Pets WA (GAP), you’re not just getting a new furry family member, it means receiving continuing support, a thoughtfully assessed companion, and joining a passionate community.
GAP has a team of animal behaviourists who will assess every dog admitted to the program. They curate individualised training programs for all greyhounds to ensure they are well prepared for life in the home as a pet.
GAP takes a steady and considered approach to preparing dogs for home life. This may include time in foster care, to ease the transition and set up success with their new families.
Yes! Greyhounds are known for their adaptability and calm nature in different environments.
Every greyhound that enters GAP is evaluated and will develop a profile used to match them to the most suitable home environment, increasing the chance of successful transition to pet life.
Contrary to what a lot of people think, greyhounds are more like sprinters than marathon runners. This means most of them only require a 15-20 minute walk each day. Greyhounds can sleep for up to 20 hours a day so are great for families and busy working people.
Like with any breed, there are exceptions to the rule and some greyhounds will require exercise dependent on their energy levels and age.
There is a greyhound suitable to everyone’s activity level and home environment.
Greyhounds require much less room than other breeds of a similar size and will often be found curled up somewhere in the home. We have greyhounds living in studio apartments, units, and townhouses, as well as large homes and rural properties. They are well suited to most environments.
The WA Government has amended the Dog Act 1976 and pet greyhounds are no longer required to wear muzzles in public .
However, everyone fostering to adopt or fostering a greyhound through GAP is issued a wire muzzle to be worn at all times in public areas, including when on walks during the foster period.
Anyone wishing to leave the muzzle on when introducing a greyhound to other pets, children, or new environments can rest assured the dog is used to wearing one. It does not hurt and they can drink normally while wearing it.
No.
Under current Western Australian legislation, greyhounds must remain on leash at all times in public areas.
This requirement applies to all greyhounds including those that have been granted a green collar. Importantly this also includes spaces that are often assumed to be suitable for off-lead exercise such as dog beaches, enclosed dog parks and designated dog exercise areas that are public.
There are still several safe and appropriate alternatives available for adopters who wish to provide off-lead time.
Most greyhounds do not come toilet trained but they are generally very clean dogs. Living in a kennel environment, most dogs do not like to soil their sleeping quarters and will wait until let out to relieve themselves.
When first brought into the home, the greyhound should be treated in a similar manner to a puppy being housebroken. Take the dog outside every couple of hours for the first week or so, especially after meals, play and long naps.
You will receive a GAP Training Guide when taking your greyhound home that goes through toilet training steps.
https://s46782.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/GAP-Training-Guide.pdf
While greyhounds may not have had much exposure to children during their racing career, their passive and gentle nature does make them a fantastic family pet.
We always recommend that children are never left unsupervised around any dog. It’s important that children are taught how to respectfully coexist with dogs, particularly larger breeds. This includes how to appropriately interact, play, and participate in activities like feeding and handling. Building mutual respect between children and dogs creates a safer and more positive environment for everyone.
Like all breeds, greyhounds have individual personalities and varying levels of sociability. Some are playful and outgoing, while others are more reserved. However, greyhounds as a breed are generally calm and tolerant towards other dogs. All greyhounds in our program are assessed for their behaviour around small breeds, and many live happily alongside smaller canine companions.
GAP aims to ensure the greyhounds going through our program have had some exposure to other breeds of dog. Common sense should be used during the introductory period and separate feeding is always recommended in a multi-pet household.
Like all breeds, some greyhounds are more compatible with some types of animals than others. We have had many greyhounds join homes with livestock, cats and even free roaming chooks.
During the greyhound’s time at GAP, we try to expose them to as many different situations as possible so we can understand how each dog will respond. Then we can provide advice on the best living arrangements for individual dogs, including their compatibility with other pets.
Many will learn to accept other pets if introduced slowly and carefully, always with strict supervision.
Both!
It depends on what kind of dog you are looking for. We tend to match greyhounds to homes based on the individual personality of the dog and the adopter’s requirements rather than gender. There is no hard and fast rule as to whether you should get a male (if you already have a female) and vice versa. We have many happy families living with two female dogs, two male dogs, one of each, or an uneven mix of genders. It all depends on the dogs’ personalities, which is why we offer all adopters a trial period before finalising any paperwork.
For an average sized greyhound, it is recommended to feed a good quality dry food twice daily according to the manufacturers’ recommendations . You may then adjust as required to maintain an ideal body condition. This is usually about one to two cups of biscuits.
For variety and interest, you can combine this with fresh meat, tinned sardines, vegetables, pasta, rice and eggs.
If you intend to feed a dry-food only diet, please ensure it is labelled as ‘complete’ to ensure your greyhound is getting a balanced intake of all necessary dietary requirements. More in-depth feeding suggestions can be found in our re-homing manual which will come with your greyhound.
Our dogs usually range from two to five years old. We do occasionally get puppies and older dogs into the program.
The average lifespan of a greyhound is 12 to 14 years.
They are quite a healthy breed, with few inherited health conditions due to centuries of selective breeding. Many of the medical problems that are common in dogs of similar size (such as hip dysplasia) do not commonly occur in greyhounds.
Greyhounds can have sensitivities to anaesthetics, so it is best to take them to a vet that has breed-specific experience if an anaesthetic is required.
Other ailments found in this breed may include minor digestion related conditions, bloat, corns, or Pannus (an eye condition which is easily controlled with daily drops).
The adoption fee for all our greyhounds is $200 which includes a dog that is vet-checked, vaccinated, microchipped, de-sexed, wormed and updated dental care.
Greyhounds that are rehomed via GAP have been through a behavioural assessment.
GAP also provides all adopted greyhounds with a lead and muzzle, in case there are situations where this may be useful such as when introducing your greyhound to other animals.
Should the situation arise where you need to find your greyhound a new home, regardless of the amount of time passed since the adoption, please contact GAP for assistance. GAP is committed to ensuring the greyhound has a suitable home for the whole of its life.
