Adopting a Retired Racer

Oh gee, I wish there would be some responses to this! I am thinking about getting a second dog- an adopted racing greyhound. I currently have a greyhound mix, and she's just as cute as pie and a perfect pet.

Right now, my cat would never allow me to have a greyhound. But I love them and I hope one day I'll be able to adopt one. A friend of mine has three and she dotes over them so much I almost feel like I know them. They sound like amazing creatures.

Two of my neighbors have adopted retired greyhounds in the last year. They are both beautiful animals and have adjusted really well to life in my neighbors' family homes with children. I think it's a great way to get a wonderful pet! Good Luck if you get one.

our first greyhound was Ludo. a big and beautiful (we were told only 4 in every 100 greys reach that size) fawn boy. he was 3 when we got him, and just a lovely lovely boy. unbeleivably soppy. when he came home with us, he curled up and cuddled up to me the whole way home in the car, then on getting back his first big surprise was the doorstep. he stopped. he stared. he turned his head to one side. stared some more, then made an enormous bounce to get up the step. the first evening we had a bit of a problem. he was already perfectly house trained, and we were told he was always clean in his kennel. but dinner was another matter. we sat down to eat and he was trying to climb onto everyones lap and get their food. it wasn't naughtiness though. all the food he'd ever seen in his entire life was headed for his bowl, so it was only natural for him to assume our dinner was his too. he learned fairly quickly that it wasn't and was never a problem again. once I left a bacon sandwich on the table and came back to a plate of bacon. he'd stolen the bread. hehe. they used to feed the racers bread, and he always loved it. he used to occasionally try and steal from the bin. you'd hear the lid lift, tell him you'd heard him, and then you'd hear him drinking from his bowl, pretending he was only in the kitchen to get a drink, not the bin. he was always the loveliest natured dog, and we loved having him. he was a bit of a chaser, but fine with small dogs. just not with cats, rabbits or deer. but he was always a perfect gentleman on the lead. if you tightened the lead when you saw something chaseable he'd ignore it. we were very very sad when we lost him to bone cancer at 9 years old. we'll never go without a greyhound now. we currently have a greyhound, a deerhound and a lurcher. the current greyhound was very badly injured as a puppy, badly broken leg, so was never up to racing quality, so when we heard about him from friends that had racers at the same kennel as him we immediately offered him a home. (they had 3 racers, 9 ex racers of theirs living with them, and the current racers destined to live at home after racing too)

I have two retired greyhounds! They are the love of my life! I've had one since July 04 and fostered the second last July and ended up adopting her in September. They fit really well into our laid back lazy lifestyle (they sleep 22 hours a day) and get along with our cats. I definitely recommend a greyhound to anyone who is willing to abide by the living inside and always leash walked or fenced in rules!

I currently have a huge fawn greyhound beauty (Indra) that I rescueded through the local Greyhound rescue group. He is amazing. Greyhounds are loving couch potatoes that adore human affection and interaction. Indra is my second greyhound, I lost my first to old age after 14 glorious years. Both of my greyhounds loved our 3 cats and our children. They do not require any special treatment other than the fact that they can NEVER be off lead and you have to be aware of your doors and windows. If they get out, they may be gone forever. Also, when introducing your grey to your home, go slow. Take the time to make him aware of doors, stairs, new sounds, etc. They adjust fairly quickly! And beware.. he may take over your bed, and definately your heart!

I haven't yet, but if the opportunity arose, I'd certainly consider it.

We adopted a greyhound 7 years ago and he is a lovely dog. He had been racing in Ireland and we do not know what happened to him. He was afraid of everythiong when we got him. It took a while for him to get used to being in a house but he is very happy now and lying on the sofa while I write this. He is now 12 years old and has a bit of arthritis in his back legs which they are prone to. Apart from that he is very fit for his age. They are very worth wile dogs to have. They give you a lot of love and are very gentle dogs.

I am glad to hear all of the postive responses about adopting a retired racing greyhound. We are getting ready to go to an adoption viewing at the race track in our area. I am very excited. however, I have had a few people warn me that they can be very nice dosile dogs but turn quickly. Possibly because they have been abused in training to be a racer. I have also heard that (and i have not researched this at all ) that greyhounds as with dalmations and dobermans, brains continue to grow creating pressure as they get oder against their skull , causing them to snap at people they normally are very kind to. I would love to hear some responses. I have read a couple of books and can't wait to go see some of these beautiful dogs. I am currently training to be a personal trainer, I love to walk/jog and look forward to long walks with (Mito, if we get one) around our 2 acres. I will have several leashes!! I understand that they can never never be off leash or tied up outside so please don't slam me on that one. thanks for your imput. sharon