Adopting a Retired Greyhound or Spanish Galgo

Greyhounds have been bred and trained to chase, and it behoves us, as higher beings, to protect both the greyhound and other small creatures around him, like cats, birds, and small dogs, and to teach him with kindness that another type of behaviour now pleases his master. A greyhound wants most of all to love and be loved and, given the chance, he will prove to be a wonderful companion, almost disbelieving of the attention he receives from you. Scores of greyhound rescuers have been surprised by the joy of greyhound ownership, some sacrificing much of their lives to dedicate themselves to these creatures, so gentle and beautiful, so misunderstood and in many countries, so mistreated by those who exploit and discard them.

• Use a special greyhound collar tightening it cosily just behind the ears at the narrowest point of the neck, complete with disc with your address and phone number from the moment of adoption and never remove it. Keep your dog securely on a lead of about 1.25m (44ins) winding it securely round your hand. Your dog will walk gently beside you at your pace but do not be complacent, as the sight of something moving in the distance can trigger your dog to take off like a jet engine. Be aware from the start that your dog may still view small animals as fair game. Wearing a muzzle is a safe way of testing his ‘keenness’ with safety. In time your dog will settle down. Only consider releasing him in an open area after at least 3 months and only after rigorous recall training, or perhaps never.

• Females should weigh approximately 26-29 kg and males, 30-35 kg. Meals are best divided and fed 2/3 times a day. A male greyhound will eat the equivalent of a small ‘washing-up bowl’ size of food daily and usually eats what he needs and no more. Most dog foods except the richest tinned foods, are acceptable, but dried foods should be soaked first otherwise greyhounds cannot swallow, with their long gullets, what they need. Dry food can also swell dangerously in the stomach causing bloat (gastric torsion), prevalent in deep-chested dogs. An adequately fed dog is a contented, quiet dog.

• A warm, soft bed, away from the hubbub of the family, is essential for his thin skin and bony prominences. Remember they may need a coat/pyjamas if you turn off your heating at night as they have no fat for insulation. Greyhounds love their comforts and quiet, reliable human companionship!

• In first few days of adoption, you are advised not to encourage too close a bond (like allowing your new dog to follow you everywhere). This can lead to serious ‘attachment ’ problems later when your dog may become distressed, noisy or destructive in your absence. There is plenty of time later for showing your emotions and protectiveness when your dog has acquired self-confidence. Having said this, everyone in the house would get a better night’s sleep the first two or three nights if a human sleeps within the ‘hearing’ of the dog, for example, with the dog on the landing near an open bedroom door.

• Sterilisation avoids emotional instability, pregnancy and pyometra in the female dog and the testosterone problems of seeking a mate, and dominance in the males. Breeding from ex-racing greyhounds is much frowned on by us rescuers who already have many thousands of unwanted adult greyhounds on our hands. A greyhound has a different physiology from other dogs. The lack of body fat means he is unable to excrete certain drugs like barbiturates and other anaesthetic agents, so special care needs to be taken by your vet if your greyhound undergoes surgery. Greyhounds have worn muzzles much of their lives and hence their teeth may need attention and benefit from dental cleaning under anaesthetic.