A greyhound is one of the most wonderful, and appreciative dogs you can ever have. I guarantee you will love them the first time you see one. It is so wonderful that you want to adopt a greyhound. Thousands of retired greyhounds are killed each year because they do not have anyone who will adopt them. Greyhounds are a very calm, gentle breed. They like to run around outside for awhile each day. Hopefully you won't mind a torn up yard because when they run, they dig up a bunch of grass and dirt. Greyhounds can reach speeds up to and exceeding 45 mph in three strides.
Greyhounds really do need a fenced in yard to run around in. Never chain a greyhound up outside. If the hound decided to run after some prey, such as a rabbit, its starting speed is so fast, it would snap its neck. Never use invisible fencing. Should they decide to take off, greyhounds are so fast, and so focued on what they are after, that they will go right through the barrier and get severly shocked. Also, greyhounds that run away are hard to catch, and often get lost.
They also enjoy daily walks. Many greyhounds suffer from spinal injuries that become a problem when they get older, so you may need to get your greyhound a harness to attach the leash to versus on the collar if this happens. Many greyhounds are not cat and small dog friendly. They often see these animals as prey to catch, so be careful when you take it for a walk.
It is also common for greyhounds to develop thyroid problems when they get older, but thyroid medication will take care of it - you just need to be willng to spend the money on all necessary medications.
Many greyhounds like to play tag outside. Both my female and male greyhounds like to play hide-and-go-seek. Many of them also like to chase a ball with people. They also like to play with toys that resemble prey, such as a stuffed squirrel that squeaks. However, it is very rare that you will be able to teach a greyhound to do tricks, as they never learned any as puppies.
Greyhounds are nicknamed the "couch potato" because they love to lie on the couch or a soft dog bed most of the day. So, be sure to get it a comfy dog bed. For this reason, you need not worry about their energy level, as another person suggested. They don't have the longevity as other breeds do. They enjoy daily walks and to play in the yard for a short while, then they are just happy laying around and being cuddled.
Greyhounds are a very unique breed of dog, as they have almost human like personalities, each dog is very different. This is why most greyhound adoption organizations do not like to adopt out a dog based on a potential owner's request for a certain color or gender. You don't love your family members because of how they look, or if they are a boy or a girl. You love them for who they are. Also, because these hounds are sooo sensitive, you should never yell at, or hit one. Most of these dogs have been very abused and neglected during their life on a track, so if you do this, you will damage your relationship with the grey. Just speak with them in a firm voice if it is not listening to you. Greyhounds will tend to withdraw versus becoming agressive in unusual/stressful situations. You will seldom hear a greyhound bark or growl, and will NEVER bite unless it is provoked in some way.
The food that I recommend to get is Ultra. It is an all-natural dog foodand gentle on their sensitive tummies. My greyhounds' vet, who used to be a vet at a greyhound race track, recommends this brand. Generally, greyhounds will eat about 2 1/2 to 3 cups of food twice daily. If possible, it helps to put their food on a pet food table, (found at most pet supply stores). This is because their necks are so long, that when they get older, they sometimes have a hard time swallowing and choke. The table will help with this.
Be sure you choose a vet for your greyhound that is well educated about greyhounds. This breed needs to be cared for very differently than other dogs. The average life of a greyhound is about 12 years.
Most greyhounds have bad teeth because they are malnourised from their life on a track. So, in order to keep up with their dental care, brush their teeth daily with a soft brissle brush and toothpaste made for dogs. Don't worry, it won't bite you! It will probably just stand there and let you brush.These dogs do shed, so to help, they should be brushed daily with a soft, knobbed brush. Greyhounds LOVE this! Greyhounds' skin is very sensitive, so when you bathe it,(limited to about once a month), be sure to use a hypo-allergenic shampoo made for dogs.
If you live in a place where it gets cold, you might want to consider buying your greyhound a coat, especially when letting them out to go potty and for walks. These dogs do not have a lot of fat to help them keep warm, so they tend to get cold more easily than most breeds of dogs. I highly recommend buying one from: www.houndtogs.com
I bought from this company as well as another one. Hound togs are far superior and you will get your money's worth.
If you need mosquito/insect repellent for your greyhound, Avon Skin So Soft lotion works wonderfully. Just be sure to put enough of it on, all over the body, or else it will be ineffective.
You will also notice that most greyhounds do not have a lot of fur on their rear end. This is because on the race track, they are kept in kennels so small, that their rear end constantly rubs against the cage.
Now, when you adopt a greyhound, you may need to teach it to walk up steps. You will also need to teach it about windows, (if a grey sees something it wants to catch outside a window, it will try to go right though it). This is because on the track, they only walk on dirt and otherwise, are kept in a kennel. They do not know what stairs or windows are when they first come off the track. My male greyhound, smashed into our deck door. Luckily, it was just the screen that was closed and not the actual glass door. Because of this, and for their own safety, you will need to put them in a kennel when you leave until they become adjusted to their new home, (then you can leave them out). However, if the greyhound you adopt has already lived in a foster home for a while, you probably will not need to worry about these things.
You will NOT need to take it to obedinece classes. They are very well-mannered dogs. However, when going potty, the greyhound will have to learn which door to use, and how to let you know that it has to go potty. They learn quickly, just watch for signals that might mean it has to go and let it out at least 5 times a day.
The process of adopting a greyhound can be a little lengthy. First, you will have to speak with a greyhound adoption councelor. This person will require you to fill out an adoption application, with references. Then, s/he will come by your house to make sure it is greyhound safe, and to suggest any changes that should be made, (the changes, if any, are usually very easy to make). The adoption councelor will also speak with you about your and your family's personalities and lifestyles. This person will then introduce you to some greyhounds that s/he thinks will fit in well with your family.
I recommend reading "Adopting the Racing Greyhound" by Cynthia Branigan. It has a lot of good intoductory info. It is what I read when I first adopted one. Additionally, most greyhound adoption organizations will require you to read this book or one like it. Check it out from your library if you don't want to buy it.
I also recommend going to a greyhound meet-and-greet. These are usually held at your local pet supply store. Check with your local store, (usually at PetSmart and Petco, if you have those stores near you), or a local greyhound rescue organization to find out when one would be held.