What is the history of the greyhound?

Greyhounds are the oldest purebred canine, originating as a hunting breed in the Middle East over 8,000 years ago.  Today’s modern greyhounds are the result of careful, controlled breeding in England where they were associated with nobility, royalty and prestige. Some notable past owners included Queen Victoria and King Henry VIII.  They are the fastest dog in the world.  Built for speed and agility, they can reach top speeds of up to 70kph during a race.  Greyhounds are sight hounds. They can see clearly up to 1 kilometre and have amazing peripheral vision of 270 degrees.

Do greyhounds make good pets?

Greyhounds are quiet, well-mannered, and very easy to live with.  Every greyhound is very individual but the breed can be summed up as friendly, lazy, calm, playful, easy-going, independent, affectionate, loving, trusting and good-natured.

Do retired racing greyhounds adjust quickly to life as a pet?

Yes.  Following retirement, greyhounds are placed in foster care by GAP SA for one to two months to expose them to as many new experiences as possible.  The dogs are usually settled in a family environment well before the foster period is over and are sometimes settled in the day they begin foster care

Do greyhounds get along with other dogs?

Yes, greyhounds love canine company and most of them are likely to make friends with any other pet dogs you have at home. We recommend doing a meet and greet with any pets you have to ensure a smooth transition.

Are greyhounds good with other animals?

Typically greyhounds are good with other animals. The greyhound’s suitability with other animals will be assessed throughout the foster care period.  Extra care is always required when introducing any new pet to an animal for the first time.  As is the case with all breeds of dogs, some may not be suited to living with other animals.  GAP SA strives to best match a greyhound to your individual living situation.

Are greyhounds good with children?

Greyhounds have a very gentle and quiet disposition and are typically patient and sensitive with children.  As with any dog, education of children is vital, however a greyhound will normally walk away from an agitative child rather than growling or snapping.  Children should be taught to respect the greyhound and not disturb them when they are sleeping or eating.  We recommend actively supervising when dogs and children are together in the home.

Do retired greyhounds require a lot of exercise?

No, a 20-30 minute daily walk is enough for the greyhound, who will then happily snug up on their bed or on the couch for a well-earned nap!

How old are the greyhounds in the program and how long do they live for?

Greyhounds coming into the program are usually 2 to 5 years old. The expected life span of a greyhound is anywhere between 12 - 15 years. The adaptable, stable and loving nature of the greyhound makes for an easy transition to companion dog regardless of age.  

Do greyhounds have to be muzzled in public?

Yes, unless you have an exemption status granted by the GAP green collar.
When our greyhounds complete their green collar, we provide you with the muzzle exemption safety certificate and a GAP green collar. Your greyhound will always have to wear its GAP green collar at public places, which allows the greyhound to be un-muzzled.    

Can be greyhounds be let off lead in public?

No, greyhounds legally cannot be let off lead in public, even in a dog park. You can only have your greyhound off leash on private property.

Are the greyhounds for adoption house-trained?

Greyhounds are intelligent, clean animals that learn very quickly.  They have been house-trained whilst in foster care. However, with any new pet, within a new environment some accidents can be expected until a new routine has been established.

How big are greyhounds?

Greyhounds come in a range of shapes and sizes. However, males usually weigh between 28-37kg and can be as tall as 60 - 75 cm at the shoulder and females generally weigh between 24 - 30kg and stand between 55 - 70cm at the shoulder.

How many different types of colour are there?

Greyhounds come in a variety of colours including brindle, fawn, black, white, black and white, white with brindle, red fawn, blue fawn, light fawn and blue.

Do females make for a better pet than males?

There is little difference between males and females behaviourally. Female greyhounds can tend to be more independent, while males are generally more affectionate.

I’d love to adopt or foster a greyhound.  How do I go about it?

Please visit our Adoption and Foster pages to find your perfect greyhound!

Should you have any questions in regards to foster care or adoption, you can call us on 8243 7124.