This information is by no means exhaustive. If you have a specific query or information you require, please contact admin@coventrygreyhound.org.uk and we'll try to help you.
Greyhounds make fantastic pets. But then, if you're bringing your hound home, no doubt you believe that to be true already!
But what can you expect in the first hours, days, weeks and months of rehoming your hound? Please meet Rocket - the recently re-homed greyhound!
When you go to pick up Rocket, chances are he will have to travel in your car. The good news is that Rocket is probably used to travelling in a car as he's been driven to race tracks in his former life.
But you need to think carefully about safety - both yours and his. If you have an estate car, you could fit a safety cage or barrier. If he's going to be travelling on the back seat, you could consider a harness for him, which fits around your seat belts and restrains him. You can buy all these items from pet stores or via the internet.
We will assume Rocket has just retired from racing and is new to a home situation. Don't forget, he has lived in kennels for the whole of his life, so a house is unfamiliar to him.
He may find some things very scary - the washing machine, the vacuum, the tumble dryer may scare him witless. Rather than giving up on household chores (however tempting that may be), try to introduce these things gradually and in a very calm way. Chasing after Rocket with a fully charged up Dyson is not a good way to introduce him to your home!
Rocket may never have come across stairs before. Because of his physique, he may find it very difficult to negotiate stairs. If you don't want him to go upstairs, this is a good time to lay down the boundaries. You may find fitting a child-gate helps to stop him exploring them. If you don't mind him going upstairs then you may need to be patient with his efforts to go up - and especially down. (We know of one greyhound who quite successfully managed to go UPstairs, but never, ever managed to come DOWN! She was carried down each and every morning!).
Rocket will NOT need lots of exercise. Two 20 minute walks a day should be enough for him, with a few longer walks a week thrown in to keep him in good shape.
There are stories of greyhounds who have gone on to walk 10 miles a day with their owners, but these are few and far between. Rocket prefers comfort and sleep to endless hours hiking.
Rocket doesn't need to run every day. You will find that his recall is not good. Or even if it is good, he won't take a blind bit of notice of you if he spots a squirrel or a cat in the distance. Please be VERY careful when letting Rocket off the lead to run. If he spots a small furry thing running he'll chase it. It's what he's been trained to do. And he'll chase it over a road or onto a railway track, so beware.You'll also need to muzzle Rocket if he's off-lead. Some greyhounds, despite years of living quietly in a home and not chasing any small animals, suddenly turn and attack small furries. Don't risk Rocket being destroyed because of one freak moment - pop a muzzle on him.
Greyhounds do not need a special diet - they enjoy a mixed and varied diet and can thrive on complete dry foods which are readily available (such as Burgess Superdog Sensitive). Many greyhounds owners find that some meat mixed with the dry food keeps their hounds in tip-top condition. One of the best we've found is NatureDiet. Rocket will love you even more (and have a lovely healthy coat) if you give him things like sardines and vegetables too!
Please don't feed Rocket just before or after exercise. This can lead to Bloat (see below)
Rocket may be able to co-habit with smaller furries e.g. cats etc. However, the time to find this out is NOT when you've gone through the adoption process and brought him home to meet Flopsy the house-rabbit, Ginger the tomcat and Stan the jack russell terrier.
The rescue who rehomed Rocket to you will have asked you about your other animals. If they're a good rescue, they will have tested him with small furries. Even if they have - be very careful when introducing Rocket to Flopsy, Ginger and Stan. Make sure he has a muzzle on and there are escape routes for the small furries. If in any doubt, talk to the rescue and they will give you advice on how to make sure the introduction goes as smoothly as possible.
Rocket should be fine around children - the majority of greyhounds are gentle and placid and live quite happily even with the smallest of children. However, as with all breeds, common sense and adult supervision is the order of the day.
Before we say anything about Rocket's health - we'd like to say one word:
It is imperative to check that your vet is aware that Rocket will need a special anaesthetic before allowing him/her to treat him. Rocket will also need special pain control after operations, so talk to your vet about this when first registering Rocket with the practice. If they don't know what you're talking about - find another vet!
Now, we'd like to say another word out loud:
Rocket, like all greyhounds, is prone to a condition called gastric torsion or Bloat which is a serious condition which needs him to go STRAIGHT to the vet. How do you stop Rocket getting Bloat?
- raise his feed bowl off the ground (place it on a box or buy a special stand to feed him from
- don't exercise Rocket before or straight after a meal.
As with all dogs, it is important to keep Rocket's vaccinations up to date. Most rescues will have dealt with this prior to adoption but annual boosters are required. Rocket will also need worming every 4 - 6 months and de-fleaing every month or two. Your vet will be able to provide you with lotions and potions for this.
Rocket's teeth may not be too wonderful. Greyhounds who have raced may have poor teeth due to their diet. If in doubt, get your vet to look over Rocket's teeth. You'd do well to brush his teeth too - you can get special meat-flavoured tooth pastes and doggie tooth-brushes from your vet.
A rescue greyhound is worth taking a chance on. With patience and love they will repay your kindness ten fold. These dogs show a bond and devotion to their owners that can only be described as second to none.
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