Greyhounds make terrific pets. They are affectionate, friendly dogs that thrive on attention and human companionship. Raised with their littermates and large numbers of greyhounds at the racetrack where they competed for affection, greyhounds love becoming the center of attention as companion pets. Due to their nonthreatening nature they are not considered good watch dogs.

Greyhound males stand 26 to 30 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh between 65 and 85 pounds. Females stand 23 to 26 inches at the shoulder and weigh 55 to 70 pounds.  They come in a wide and wonderful spectrum of black, white, shades of brindle, fawn, red, blue or any astounding combination of these!

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Greyhounds placed through the GPA Las Vegas program are usually between 2 and 6 years old. There are also senior greyhounds retired from breeding programs available for adoption to special homes. These purebred athletes enjoy many years of good health. With proper care, they have a life expectancy of 12 years or more.

No!  Greyhounds are the fastest breed of dog but they are sprinters without a lot of endurance. They are very laid back as you can observe at our Meet and Greets. As with any dog, individual activity levels vary depending on age, health and temperament. They do not require a great deal of space to run, as many people think, but they do need exercise and stimulation for a happy, well balanced life. Exercising with daily walks and occasional opportunities to run in a safe, fenced area is all that's required. Inside the house, they are known to be “Olympic Sleepers” so most commonly you will find them curled up on a soft bed, snoozing. They are also fondly referred to as "couch potatoes" spending most of the day relaxing and sleeping. Greyhounds can never be trusted off-lead in an unfenced area since they have been bred and trained to think independently and chase objects of fascination!

While racing, greyhounds are "kennel broken," which means they are trained not to relieve themselves in their living area. They are clean dogs by nature and would prefer to relieve themselves outdoors when given a choice. These two factors, combined with specific advice from a trained GPA representative at the time of adoption, lead to an easy transition into life as a house pet.

Greyhound coats are short and sleek, so they stay sweet-smelling for long periods between baths. As with any short-haired dog, they do shed year round to varying degrees depending on the climate they live in. While frequent bathing is unnecessary, they enjoy and require an occasional brushing with a hound glove.

How are greyhounds with kids? Greyhounds generally are not suitable for families with children under six years old. These "skinny" dogs cannot tolerate rough play due to their sensitive and delicate skin, sleek fur, and little body fat. Their natural speed, strength, and athleticism are not the best combination with babies, young children, or persons unsteady on their feet, as they could easily be tipped over by a playful greyhound!

Greyhounds are friendly by nature and socialize well with most family pets as a result of encounters with other greyhounds in the racing kennel. Even cats and small dogs are often easily accepted as family members. GPA chapters have successfully placed thousands of greyhounds with happy owners who also have cats and small dogs. We get to know each and every dog as an individual and do our best to match the dog's personality to an ideal home environment.

A nominal adoption fee helps to defray the expenses GPA has incurred on behalf of the dog: spay/neuter procedure, vaccinations, dental cleaning, medical testing, etc. Caring for a greyhound costs on average $1000 per year including their food, treats, toys, and routine medical maintenance like dental cleanings and vaccinations.
 

To Adopt a Greyhound

If you have been thinking about getting a pet, adopting a GPA Las Vegas greyhound may be right for you. You will be rewarded with many years of love and enjoyment. Adoption applications can be obtained on this site, by calling 702.392.5822 or e-mailing us. A local GPA Las Vegas representative will contact you when your completed application is returned to us.

There is plentiful information on this website and good web links!  There are excellent books to help you decide if a greyhound is the right choice for you.  We recommend reading: "Adopting the Retired Racing Greyhound" by Cynthia Branigan, "Retired Racing Greyhounds, For Dummies" by Lee Livingood, "Greyhounds" by Carolyn Coille, and "Childproofing Your Dog" by Brian Kilcommons for homes with children.

Greyhounds are pretty quiet on the whole when we see them being walked in my village. Who would think that these noble and striking dogs can change instantly into a speeding bullet. Never mind Superman. Is it a bird, is it a plane? – well, no actually – it is a purpose built dog. Laid back, calm creatures that can make terrific pets, here are a few insights into the sighthound world from Susan at the Lincolnshire Greyhound Trust.

Greyhounds are thought to be one of the oldest breeds of dogs, with their ancestry being traced back as far as ancient Egypt. Here are some interesting facts that you may not know…

1. Greyhounds are the fastest breed of dog in existence. They can reach speeds of up to 45 miles per hour over a short distance.

2. In 1014 AD the English Forest Laws stated that only noblemen could own and hunt with Greyhounds. To kill a greyhound was punishable by death, the same sentence as for murder.

3. Racing Greyhounds are bred for speed. Therefore, they are not susceptible to the congenital defects or temperament problems of many other pedigree breeds of dog. Generally only the fastest, healthiest and most even tempered animals are used as breeding stock.

4. The monarchy has always had a keen interest in dogs and both Queen Victoria and King Henry VIII kept greyhounds. Queen Victoria even painted several pictures of her greyhounds.

5. Most greyhounds are physically unable to sit. A few can manage the sit, but for most the length of their back and their heavily muscled hind legs make the position impossible or at the least uncomfortable.

6. Greyhounds have a short and almost odorless coat which molts' less compared to other breed of dog. This means that sometimes greyhounds can be suited to live with people who are commonly allergic to other breeds of dog.

7. Greyhounds have stereoscopic vision, which means they are ideally suited to seeing moving objects. It is not uncommon for a greyhound to focus purely on the object it is chasing and subsequently “not see” the tree trunk or fence it runs into!

8. The Greyhound is the only breed of dog mentioned in The Bible. Proverbs 30, verses 29-31.

9. The collective noun for a group of greyhounds is a leash. Personally, though, we think a giggle of greyhounds sums up a group of them more appropriately!

There is plentiful information on this website and good web links!  From the Lincolnshire Greyhound Trust.

Compliments of The Greyhound Gang.