When considering dogs for adoption, or more specifically greyhound adoption or whippet adoption, most people recognize whippets and greyhounds as being similar breeds.  Some even know that we are sighthounds. Actually, there are many sighthound breeds.  After you’ve read this article, check out my article on some of my sighthound cousins.

If you are researching dogs for adoption, greyhounds and whippets are the two fastest dog breeds in the world, but we also love to kick back and relax.  Because of this, some people call us “40 mile-per-hour couch potatoes,” a title we justly deserve.  To give you an idea of our size, greyhound boys run about 70 to 80 pounds and girls about 60 pounds.  We whippets are about half that size.  At 42 pounds, I’m considered a large male whippet.

So let’s consider three main reasons why you should consider greyhound adoption or whippet adoption:

• I want a dog to walk with – We love and need regular exercise, but don’t require a large yard to be happy. Frequent walks, and the occasional dash through the house, are all we really need.  Those of us whippets and greyhounds who still race, however, appreciate longer walks and the occasional run in an enclosed area.

• I want a loving companion – We whippets and our greyhound cousins are known to be sweet dogs.  We love to cuddle and spend time with our family.  As racers, however, we have almost no body fat and very little fur, which makes us very susceptible to extreme heat and cold.   We should never be left outdoors for prolonged periods.  Our thin fur has a big upside for your housekeeping since we shed minimally.

• I’m looking for a fun, competitive hobby – For over a thousand years, our canine ancestors chased game, a skill that has been honed today for dog racing.  If you’re looking for dogs for adoption, we come with a hobby for our masters! Organized by local clubs and national organizations, we compete today in dog racing by chasing a mechanical lure on straight, oval or zigzag courses.  Search the Internet for a local club or contact either the North American Whippet Racing Association or Large Gazehound Racing Association.

One word about our chasing.  Once outdoors, most of us will take off after small animals.  Because we don’t stop for traffic, you will need to keep us on lead or in a confined area whenever we are outdoors.

Greyhound Adoption – Greyhounds are Special!

Well, most of them think they are special. I must admit some do have special needs. If you’re considering greyhound adoption.  Many, if not most, greyhounds spent much of their early lives at the racetrack, often living in a crate.  Consequently, they didn’t have the same opportunities to learn about living in a human world. Greyhound adoption of a dog right off the track requires someone with the patience to build the human connection.

How Do I Adopt One?

Most greyhounds are what we call “rescue dogs.”  Some big-hearted person gave him or her a home once their track racing career was done.  If you’ve decided to make a greyhound part of your family, you might begin by looking up the National Greyhound Adoption Program on the Internet.  But don’t stop there; put “greyhound adoption” plus your zip code into your favorite Internet search engine and that should get you to a local nonprofit helping with greyhound adoption.

Adopting a whippet is also a great idea, though we are less likely to be turned out after our racing careers are done.  You can check out the national organization, Whippet Rescue, or look for local whippet clubs in your area for whippet adoption.

Purchasing a greyhound or whippet is another way to join the fun, but be very careful.  As with all breeds, puppy mills, breeders only interested in a fast buck, are not worth your time or money.  One great way to find a quality breeder is to attend a local dog show, visit a whippet or greyhound club in your area or come to a race meet.  Search the internet for the breed name and your state.

In your search for dogs for adoption, I hope you’ve decided to open your home to a whippet, a greyhound or any of our sighthound cousins.  We are wonderful additions to most any family and will give you many years of love, affection and fun.

Feeling the Need for Speed…

- Tristan the Whippet

There are conflicting opinions regarding the origin of the Greyhound, from the Celts who believed that they came from Greece, to the Romans who believed that they came from Gaul (in Western Europe), with many varying opinions in between.

There are ancient pictures which date back to 6000BC in the city of Catal-Huyuk in present-day Turkey, depicting dogs very similar in type to Greyhounds. Pictures from 4000BC found on a funery vase in Iran also depict Greyhound-like dogs which suggest that these dogs were held in the highest regard. Ancient artists tended only to depict images of religious or social importance.

Appearance

Greyhounds have an extremely elegant and graceful appearance; slender but also strong. They are propelled by extremely strong hindquarters; when they run it appears effortless and truly beautiful.

It is a pleasure to watch these dogs race, with their long neck and face set on their long, slender frame.  Greyhounds come in a massive variety of colors; Black, red, white, blue, fawn, fallow, brindle or any of these colors broken up with white.

Temperament

Despite what most people think, these dogs can be real couch potatoes! Although they are capable of short bursts of speeds of up to 64km/hr, they are not blessed with great amounts of endurance, so love to get home after walks and sleep it off!

They are great family pets; kind and gentle with their families and very affectionate. They may be a little aloof with strangers, but never nasty.

However, their history must be remembered; they were bred to course and race and therefore have tendencies to chase and catch small things; this can include smaller dogs, cats and other small pets. They must be very carefully socialized with smaller dogs and extreme care should be taken around cats.

Grooming

With their short coats, they will only require a very minimal amount of time spent on grooming.

Exercise

Two 20-minute walks a day is ample for these dogs – they particularly enjoy getting home to relax after their walks!! Real care should be taken with allowing these dogs off lead – unless they are EXTREMELY well trained, they are liable to run off and chase any small thing that moves – and at 64km/h, there is no chance you’ll be able to catch them!!

Health Problems

Greyhounds can be prone to injury when expelling their pent up energy! They don’t really suffer from any genetic diseases; they can be a little sensitive to drugs although vets should be aware of this if treating them.