Greyhounds high maintenance?

Question

Obviously a dog is going to require maintenance and responsibility in general. but are retired racing greyhounds especially high maintenance?

Answer 1

Greyhounds are most definitely NOT high maintenance dogs! They're very laid back, easy-going, intelligent and the quietest dog in the house possible. They are very easy to train because not only do they learn quickly, they really hate to be in trouble. People who like to yell, or use harsh methods with a dog should definitely stay away from greyhounds.

They also do not require or even want, a lot of exercise. Most retired racers are so happy to have a home that they don't want to run again. They need their really good walk or two a day, but they do not need a run.

They're easy to groom, but one of the few down sides to them is that a lot of greys have bad teeth - likely a combination of bad food and genetics, but they need their teeth brushed and likely cleaned regularly as well. You probably also know that they can't be let off leash in an unfenced area, ever. There's no way you can negate thousands of years of inherent behaviour with an 8 week obedience course. These dogs have been bred to run and you can not train their instinct out of them.

Having a house with 3 or 4 greys in it is much more relaxing than being in one of my friend's houses who has 1 hyper min pin.

Answer 2

Not really, no. Retired racing greyhounds are pretty low maintenance compared to many of the more popular breeds out there. yes, retired racers do face some challenges that non-racing greyhounds and other dogs raised in a home environment don't ever (or very rarely) have to deal with, like learning how to walk on floors. However, the adoption groups who adopt out retired racers do a LOT of work with these dogs before putting them up for adoption. They not only evaluate the dogs' temperaments but also teach them most of the basic skills that they will need to live in a household as a pet (like walking on floors or going up stairs).

As for exercise...they do not require nearly as much exercise as many people imagine. One of the reasons that I will probably never own a retired racer is that greyhounds actually aren't high energy enough for me and my current dogs (german shepherds...both of whom would run all day long if we asked them to, they'd run a greyhound into the ground). Sure, they like a good run now and then, but greyhounds are sprinters, not endurance runners and pet greyhounds will be perfectly happy with daily leash walks and the occasional run once a week or so. Just be sure not to let them off leash if you don't have a securely fenced area to do so...if they see a rabbit (or squirrel, or cat, or plastic bag blowing in the wind) they will be gone!

Answer 3

Not sure which greyhounds Sabina has met, but the two sound asleep on my floor right now, don't really fancy living with her if they have to go walking more than once or twice a day, LOL. Number one, they do tend to be quite lazy -they are retired, after all :) But they are so easygoing and loving pets. Much like cats in their behaviour. Go silly for a while, sleep for a long while. Repeat. Many are great with small fluffy dogs, but the rabbit would be expecting a bit much for most, I'd say. Warning: people tend to become addicted once they start adopting greyhounds. It's called Greyhound Obsessive Disorder :) Enjoy.

Answer 4

Depends what you mean by high maintenance.

They are lovely, gentle dogs, so behaviorally they are not usually difficult. If you are adopting from a greyhound rescue organization, they are likely to have carefully screened all the dogs for behavioral problems.

They are easy indoors, as they tend to be very mellow and lazy in the house, and don't have much hair to shed.

They have very, very short coats, so if you live in a cold climate they will need to wear a coat. Those paper-thin ears are also prone to frostbite. It may be a challenge to properly exercise the dog in winter weather. If you have any concerns of this nature, contact greyhound breeders in your area. Most of them are happy to give advice about their favorite breed, even if you don't plan on buying a puppy from them.

The most difficult thing with greyhounds anywhere is getting them enough exercise. They tend to be very mellow and lazy in the house, but they do need the opportunity to run and run and run. The problem is that, as sight hounds, they have a tendency to take off when something catches their attention. They run the risk of getting lost, or worse, of getting hit by a car. So the difficulty will be to find an area that's large enough for them to really stretch their limbs, but secure as well so you won't lose them to their own curiosity.

Some are impossible to keep in a household where there are cats or small dogs, because they have spent their entire lives chasing a small "animal" around a track. Once again, most rescue organization will test and rate their dogs as "small animal safe" or not.

Like most tall breeds with deep chests, they are prone to certain breed-specific health problems. Most purebred dogs have some diseases they are particularly susceptible to. Finally, be aware that a racing dogs might have suffered injuries on the track that will show up later as arthritis or other mobility-related problems.

But if you love the breed and are willing to put up with all their quirks, they do make wonderful pets.

Answer 5

Retired greyhounds require no more exercise than a greyhound who has never raced. They are low maintenance dogs who don't smell (due to lack of oil on the skin), they don't shed fur everywhere. Their muscles DON'T turn to fat as is stated above and they have a great temperament (although they do tend to be a bit lazy).

Answer 6

actually no. They have short almost odor free coats. inside they are almost comatose...lol....they need a chance to run free and stretch their legs in a SECURLY FENCED AREA (sorry that is the most important thing people must understand about these dogs. they can run from 0 to 40 mph in three strides. a throughbred racing horse runs at 43 mph. you will not be able to catch the dog if it sees something it wants to chase.) however for a mature dog of say 4 years a medium length walk everyday or so will suffice. they must be indoor dogs.
Thank you for thinking about retired racing greyhounds! as a breed they are among the sweetest most intelligent low key dog breed i have ever met.
for more information on retired racers please buy Retired Racing Greyhounds for Dummies. It is a fabulous resource and it will help you to decide if you are ready to take the plunge!

Answer 7

Actually, despite their size and ability to run, retired racing greyhounds are not difficult. The short coat is easy to care for, they love to lounge (big couch potatoes, really), and they are affectionate. The one caution is that, because they are sighthounds and may take off after anything moving that reminds them of prey, you should be prepared to always keep them in a fenced yard or on a leash. I do a lot of dog agility and greyhounds are not a common breed to see competing. They would rather be home on the couch!

By the way, muscle is muscle and fat is fat; one cannot become the other. As a personal trainer, I am sure of this.

Answer 8

Yes retired greyhounds are more high maintenance then normal greyhounds because they require more time and exercise. You know how someone has a lot of muscle but then they stop working out and it turns to fat? Well that's what would happen and they re not the type of dog to get obese cuz then they'll die.

Answer 9

Despite the numerous wrong answers, greyhounds (and other sighthounds) need LESS exercise time than a herding or sporting breed dog, unless you are trying to condition them to major stakes wins. The need to keep in mind that if it moves the grey will chase is true.

Answer 10

I feel bad for the retired race dogs, they have a hard time finding homes due to high energy and they aren't always very used to a house environment. It's rewarding to help one feel like a normal dog. Greyhounds are very, very smart dogs, and the smarter the dog, the more you have to work with them and kep them mentally stimulated.