Greyhounds and the cold
Greyhounds have relatively thin skin and very little body fat. This is great for helping them cool down after a run, but it also means that they are susceptible to cold weather.
The need to maintain their vital organs at a fairly constant temperature means that the body has to work harder during the winter to keep warm. This can affect diet and potentially cause injury when exercising.
If the greyhound’s core temperature drops, its body automatically tries to keep the important organs warm by restricting the blood flow to the skin and extremities. You will have experienced cold fingers and hands on a very brisk morning, along with the exposed skin that’s cool to the touch and which turns bluish. This same process happens in greyhounds to try to conserve heat when the outside temperature is low.
If this is not enough to maintain the core temperature, the body will try to generate heat by shivering, which is an involuntary muscle activity. Shivering is an indicator of significant temperature change within the body, and it uses up quite a bit of energy to create the muscle contractions.
Past this point the dog enters into hypothermia (hypo– meaning ‘below’, –thermia meaning ‘temperature’).
For the greyhound, being cold is not only uncomfortable, but it can mean that they lose condition due to the change in their energy requirements. Now they not only have to fuel their normal activity but also have to use energy to create warmth just to function normally on the inside. This may mean they need more calories in their daily diet.
Cold muscles are also more susceptible to injuries, ranging from minor tears to more serious ones.
What can you do?
Make sure that your greyhounds are kept warm when the weather is cold.
For greyhounds that sleep outside, a bed that is well off the cold ground, and making sure that your kennel building is not leaking or subject to draughts.
Make sure that each dog has a clean and dry kennel to sleep in. Winter weather does not make it easy to keep things clean and dry, but wet dogs, wet bedding, and wet kennels can lead to very cold greyhounds.
You might need to put a warm coat or jacket on the dogs, especially in the evenings and overnight. Make sure that coats are regularly inspected for damage, and are not tied on so tight that they are uncomfortable when the greyhound curls up, nor so loose that the dogs are constantly getting tangled in them. All coats and jackets should be regularly cleaned too – male dogs are notorious for peeing on the edges of their coats!
Watch your dog’s weight
It may be that your greyhounds will need more food to maintain their weight in the winter time. Monitoring skin and coat condition and body weight will quickly tell you if something isn’t right. Keeping them warm may not completely stop changes in condition, but it will help.
By paying attention to your greyhounds needs during winter, you will save yourself time and money and avoid injuries and illness.
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Meet our dogs ready for adoption
All greyhounds adopted from GAP are de-sexed, vaccinated, microchipped, wormed and health checked.
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Amigo
Barry ARP
Meet Barry, this handsome boy is friendly and outgoing with lots of energy. He is enthusiastic about life with his helicopter tail. Barry may suit a household with medium or large dogs and may suit living with kids 10+. Because of his boisterous energy he will require a backyard.
This dog is part of our Assisted Rehoming Program (ARP). ARP dogs are kept with their racing owners until they find an adoptive home, at which point they are brought back into GAP. This means that should you be interested in adopting this dog, we are bringing the dog into GAP on the understanding that you will be adopting them. As such, you will not be able to meet any other dogs, as you otherwise would be able to.
Charlotte
Paris
Ruby ARP
Ruby, Ruby, Ruby, Ruby! Do ya, do ya, do ya, do ya! Know what you're doing doing to me! You and me, could it be, could it be? Ruby iso nly 3 years old but she is premature greying, but it happens to the best of us! Ruby is a quiet, gentle girl who is personable, but not overly needy for affection. She may suit living with or without a canine brother of any size,children aged 5 years and older and she may even suit apartment living.
This dog is part of our Assisted Rehoming Program (ARP). ARP dogs are kept with their racing owners until they find an adoptive home, at which point they are brought back into GAP. This means that should you be interested in adopting this dog, we are bringing the dog into GAP on the understanding that you will be adopting them. As such, you will not be able to meet any other dogs, as you otherwise would be able to.
Ric ARP
Ric is full of royal freshness and just a little bit “up to no good” in the best way. This very handsome boy is cheeky, friendly, outgoing and confident, with a big personality to match. Ric is a big character and may be a little too much for some dogs, so alike-minded, confident canine friend would suit him best. He may suit a home with medium or large dogs and dog-savvy kids aged 10+. If you’re ready for charm, confidence, and Fresh Prince energy — Ric’s your guy!
This dog is part of our Assisted Rehoming Program (ARP). ARP dogs are kept with their racing owners until they find an adoptive home, at which point they are brought back into GAP. This means that should you be interested in adopting this dog, we are bringing the dog into GAP on the understanding that you will be adopting them. As such, you will not be able to meet any other dogs, as you otherwise would be able to.
Milky Bar
Spense ARP
Spence is a pretty female greyhound with a sweet, affectionate nature and a playful, puppyish energy that shines through in everything she does. She’s full of life,excitable in the best way, and loves to have fun, whether it’s zooming aroundthe yard, playing games, or soaking up attention from her favourite people.Spence forms strong bonds and enjoys being part of an active household where she can express her joyful personality.
Spence is best suited to a home with children aged 10 and over or adults who can match her lively spirit and provide appropriate guidance. She would do well as the only dog or with a robust medium to large canine companion, but she isn’t suited to living with cats or frail, older dogs or people due to her enthusiasm. Spence will thrive in a home with a backyard where she can burn off energy and play. With the right environment, she’ll grow into a wonderfully loving and entertaining companion. Spence is part of our Assisted Rehoming Program (ARP). We have behavioural and health assessed this lovely dog, and they will remain with their racing owners until they find an adoptive home, atwhich point they are brought back into GAP. This means that should you be interested in adopting this dog, we are bringing the dog into GAP on the understanding that you will be adopting this particular dog, and no other dogs currently in our care.
Delta ARP
Darling Delta is ready take flight onto finding her new home! She is sweet, puppyish and personable but she can be a little shy at first so a home thats able to let her settle in at her pace will be the best home for her. We think she may suit living with or without another male companion of any size and children 10 years and over.
This dog is part of our Assisted Rehoming Program (ARP). ARP dogs are kept with their racing owners until they find an adoptive home, at which point they are brought back into GAP. This means that should you be interested in adopting this dog, we are bringing the dog into GAP on the understanding that you will be adopting them. As such, you will not be able to meet any other dogs, as you otherwise would be able to.
Barney ARP
Just like his friendly counterpart, Barney, is a happy, friendly, affectionate and sweet boy that melts your heart when he looks up at you lovingly. He will be a family favourite and everyone will love hanging out with Barney! We think he may suit living with another companion medium in size or larger and children 5 and over.
This dog is part of our Assisted Rehoming Program (ARP). ARP dogs are kept with their racing owners until they find an adoptive home, at which point they are brought back into GAP. This means that should you be interested in adopting this dog, we are bringing the dog into GAP on the understanding that you will be adopting them. As such, you will not be able to meet any other dogs, as you otherwise would be able to.