Greyhounds are something truly special. Elegant, affectionate and surprisingly relaxed, these beautiful dogs can make wonderful companions once they retire from racing.
If you’re considering adopting a Greyhound in South Australia, you may have questions about what life with a Greyhound is really like. How much exercise do they need? Are they good with children? Can they be left alone? What do they eat? And, of course, how much grooming do they require?
To help answer some of those questions, we spoke with Ashley, KompleteCare’s Head of People and Culture, who has bred and trained Greyhounds for many years. His family has been involved with Greyhounds since 1975, giving him decades of experience with the breed.
Why Are Greyhounds Such Great Pets?
One of the biggest misconceptions about Greyhounds is that because they are bred for racing, they must be constantly energetic.
According to Ashley, that’s far from the reality.
“They’re very lazy dogs,” he explains, describing them as often happy with a short walk before spending the rest of the day sleeping or following their humans around.
Ashley says his Greyhounds can be “a little bit like shadows” because they love attention and enjoy being close to people.
This is one of the things that makes Greyhounds so appealing as pets. They may be capable of incredible bursts of speed, but inside the home, many are perfectly content to curl up on the couch or even take over your bed!
As Ashley puts it, they “become your family.”
Finding the Right Greyhound for Your Family
When adopting a Greyhound in South Australia, remember that every dog has its own personality.
Some Greyhounds may be outgoing and adventurous, while others may be quieter and more relaxed. Some may be comfortable around children or other animals, while others may need a household better suited to their individual temperament.
Ashley explains that Greyhounds in adoption programs such as GAP SA (Greyhounds as Pets South Australia) are assessed for a range of characteristics. This can include whether they are shy or outgoing, how they interact with people, whether they jump or lick, and whether they have experienced previous injuries or other considerations.
This assessment helps adoption organisations understand each dog’s personality and find a suitable home.
GAP SA (Greyhounds as Pets South Australia) is an excellent place to begin your adoption journey. Their team works with Greyhounds and prospective adopters to help create suitable matches.
What Is GAP SA?
Greyhounds As Pets SA, commonly known as GAP SA, is an adoption program designed to help Greyhounds transition into life as pets.
As Ashley explains, Greyhounds can begin transitioning into an adoption program around the end of their racing careers, where they are prepared to move into a home environment and become someone’s companion.
GAP SA also supports the adoption process, with Greyhounds receiving health checks and other preparation before going to their new homes.
Ashley says that dogs adopted through the GAP program can also receive items such as leads, collars and food to help them get started.
If you’re interested in adopting a Greyhound in South Australia, GAP SA is a great place to learn more about available dogs and the adoption process.
Visit Greyhound as Pets South Australia here to learn more about adopting a Greyhound today.
How Much Exercise Does a Greyhound Need?
This might be one of the biggest surprises for first-time Greyhound owners.
You might expect a dog bred for speed to require hours of running every day. Ashley’s experience suggests otherwise.
He says her Greyhounds generally need only around five to ten minutes of walking before they’re ready to settle down for the day.
Of course, this doesn’t mean every Greyhound has the same exercise needs. Their age, health, personality and individual preferences all need to be considered.
Ashley also explains that while they’re relaxed at home, Greyhounds can certainly become motivated when it’s time to run. At home, his dogs enjoy chasing things like tennis balls and soccer balls.
The key is finding the right balance between exercise, enrichment, and rest for your individual dog.
What About Children and Other Pets?
One of the most important considerations when adopting a Greyhound in South Australia is whether your new dog will fit comfortably into your existing household.
Ashley has extensive personal experience raising Greyhounds alongside children. He explained that his children grew up with Greyhounds, and now his grandchildren have too.
However, this shouldn’t be interpreted as meaning every Greyhound will automatically suit every family.
The individual dog’s temperament and history matter. This is why the assessment and matching process is so important.
If you already have children, cats or other dogs, discuss your household with the adoption organisation so they can help identify a suitable Greyhound.
What Is It Like Having a Greyhound at Home?
Prepare to lose some couch space! Ashley says his Greyhounds will happily take over the couch or even the bed.
They can also be very affectionate and enjoy being close to their people.
For some newly adopted Greyhounds, however, adjusting to home life can take time. Ashley notes that some dogs can experience anxiety when left alone because they are accustomed to having other dogs around them in a kennel environment. With time and acclimatisation, many can adjust to their new surroundings.
Give your new Greyhound patience, consistency and a safe environment while they learn their new routine.
What Does a Greyhound Cost to Look After?
Before adopting a Greyhound in South Australia, think beyond the initial adoption cost.
You’ll need to budget for regular expenses such as quality food, routine veterinary care, parasite prevention, vaccinations, dental care, bedding and equipment, toys and enrichment, grooming, and, like any pet, unexpected veterinary expenses.
The good news is that Greyhounds generally aren’t considered particularly high maintenance when it comes to everyday care.
Ashley describes them as very easy to look after, particularly because their short coats require relatively little upkeep.
Of course, individual costs can vary considerably depending on the dog’s age, health and needs.
Greyhound Grooming: What Do They Need?
This brings us to one of the easiest parts of caring for a Greyhound: their coat!
Greyhounds have short, sleek coats, meaning they don’t require the extensive clipping or styling that some other breeds do.
Ashley recommends regular brushing and says that, in his experience, a wash approximately once a month can help keep them neat and tidy.
He also recommends a standard dog brush, with a soft side and a side with small metal pins to help remove dead hair.
However, grooming isn’t just about keeping your Greyhound looking good.
Regular grooming helps keep their coat clean, maintain their nails, clean their ears, and watch for changes in their skin.
Let Top Dawg Take Care of the Grooming
At Top Dawg Grooming, we know that every dog deserves to feel comfortable, cared for and pampered.
While Greyhounds may not need complicated haircuts, they can still benefit from professional grooming services such as bathing, brushing, nail care and ear cleaning.
For a newly adopted Greyhound, grooming can also be an opportunity to introduce them gradually to new experiences and handling in a calm and positive environment.
Our professional groomers can help keep your Greyhound’s short coat clean, healthy, and looking its best, while considering their individual comfort and temperament.
Whether your Greyhound needs a regular freshen-up or simply a good bath after a particularly adventurous day, Top Dawg is here to help.
Give Them Time to Become Part of the Family
Perhaps the most important thing to remember when adopting a Greyhound in South Australia is that you’re not just bringing home a dog; you’re welcoming a new family member.
Ashley has seen this firsthand throughout his decades with Greyhounds.
He describes the dogs as becoming deeply attached to their families, and his household has continued to keep Greyhounds as pets, including retired racers. One of their Greyhounds has even remained part of the family after losing a leg.
For Ashley, the relationship is simple: “They become your family.”
That sentiment perhaps sums up Greyhound adoption better than anything else.
Ready to Adopt a Greyhound?
If you’ve been thinking about adopting a Greyhound in South Australia, take the next step and learn more about the dogs currently looking for homes.
Start by contacting GAP SA and talking to their team about your lifestyle, household and what you’re looking for in a companion. The right Greyhound may be waiting for you.
And once you’ve welcomed your new family member home, don’t forget about their grooming needs.
From baths and brushing to nail and ear care, Top Dawg Grooming can help keep your Greyhound looking and feeling their best.
Because while Greyhounds might be famous for being fast, at home they’re often much more interested in one thing: Finding the comfiest spot on your couch.