Why do Greyhounds need to be rescued? Most of the Greyhounds you are going to see in your lifetime are going to be retired racing Greyhounds. These are the dogs that actually race or were bred to race, at the dog tracks. They are not bred as 'pets' and usually are not 'show' dogs in the traditional sense. You aren't going to find them being sold at pet stores and very rarely will you ever see a Greyhound puppy. Most Greyhounds are bred for the racing industry, period. When they are no longer racing, or are not being used in a breeding program, they need to be re-homed. A race dog owner doesn't usually keep a dog that doesn't 'earn' it's keep. That's where Greyhound Adoption comes in.

Greyhounds for adoption can range in age from 2 to 5 and have a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years. Senior's (7+) and brood mommas (those dogs that were used for breeding) are also available. Males are usually 26 to 30 inches high and between 65 and 85 pounds, females are usually 23 to 26 inches high and between 50 and 65 pounds. Their hair is extremely short and they shed very minimally. Most people who are allergic to dog hair are not usually allergic to Greyhounds.

Greyhounds are part of the sight hound family and can see up to ½ mile away. They are the fastest dogs on earth and are capable of reaching up to 45 miles per hour in just three strides! They can sustain speeds of 30 mph for as much as a mile, but greyhounds are sprinters -- not long-distance runners. For this reason, they can NEVER be let off the leash unless in a fully fenced in area. No matter how well a Greyhound follows commands, NEVER allow him off the leash. The Greyhound is one of the few breeds that still retains the instincts of long ago and even the best trained Greyhound may run into the street after a squirrel and get hit by a car. Instincts generally overrule training. Don't let your Greyhound become a statistic.

Greyhounds come in many colors - brindle, black, white, fawn, red or a combination of these colors. They are extremely intelligent dogs and can adapt in their new environment rather quickly. They are very social animals and most love to be cuddled! Greyhounds are lean by nature, with very low body fat, and at first they may seem undernourished to people who are not accustomed to seeing these athletic dogs in a home setting. You may get tired of the amount of times that someone tells you that you need to feed your dog! Just remember, your Greyhound is naturally lean; making him fat will lead to other health problems. Many people think that Greyhounds are "hyper" or extremely active dogs -- however, they are just the opposite! Although they do love to stretch their long legs from time to time, Greyhounds often actually need less exercise than many other large dog breeds. Since Greyhounds are sprinters, a 20-minute walk each day will usually burn off their energy. In fact, many Greyhound owners will tell you that their hounds became quite lazy once their racing days are over. They truly enjoy napping on soft beds or mats for most of the day, and many retired hounds can live happily in city apartments and suburbs as well as in country homes. They take their retirement seriously!

The more love and affection you give your Greyhound, the more you receive in return! Be prepared to stop often during your walks, Greyhounds are traffic stoppers! People will want to ask questions and pet the dogs. Best of all, you will experience the greatest love of all from your Greyhound ~ unconditional love.

Looking to adopt a Greyhound or foster one? If so, please check out Philadelphia Greyhound Connection. They have one of the best adoption groups around! You don't just adopt a dog through Philadelphia Greyhound Connection, you also get a lifetime of support for you and your new family member. They hold awareness events every weekend at local Petcos, PetSmarts, and are at Boscov's in the Neshaminy Mall once a month. They have picnics, playdates, and also have a range of items for both you & your Greyhound. A portion of all GreyWolf Collars sold thru Philadelphia Greyhound Connection goes directly to PGC. We are committed to helping PGC make a better life for all the retired racing Greyhounds that come through their door. Please click on their logo below to go directly to their site & see all the beautiful Greyhounds that are available for adoption & see some of the ones that have already found their forever homes!