Start your adoption journey

The process of adopting a greyhound typically involves several steps. First, you will need to fill out an application form that provides information about your living situation, experience with pets, and your preferences for a dog. After your application is reviewed, you may be contacted for an interview to discuss your application in more detail. Once approved, you will be invited to meet the greyhounds available for adoption. This is a crucial step as it allows you to find a dog that matches your lifestyle and personality. After selecting a greyhound, you will complete the adoption paperwork and pay any associated fees.

Finally, you will receive guidance on how to transition your new pet into your home, including tips on training and care.

Before adopting a greyhound, it's important to consider several factors. Greyhounds are known for their gentle and calm demeanor, but they do require regular exercise and mental stimulation. Ensure you have a safe space for them to run and play. Additionally, consider your lifestyle and how much time you can dedicate to a new pet. Greyhounds can adapt to various living situations, but they thrive in homes where they receive love and attention. It's also essential to think about any other pets you may have and how they will interact with a new greyhound.

Lastly, be prepared for the financial responsibilities of pet ownership, including food, veterinary care, and other supplies.

Retired racing greyhounds are very tolerant with children. If a child becomes overbearing, the dog will usually walk away rather than snap or growl. As with all breeds of dogs, small children should never be left unsupervised with your greyhound. It’s also vitally important that you teach your children to respect the dog. Children poking dogs, falling on them or pulling tails should NEVER be allowed. Children should also be taught to respect the dog’s space around food and bedding. Homes with young children should also provide the greyhound with a “time out” area – this is a quiet space where the greyhound can get away from the children for a rest. Children should be taught that this area is off limits.

The average lifespan of a greyhound is typically between 10 to 14 years. Like all breeds, their lifespan can be influenced by various factors, including genetics, diet, and overall health care. Regular veterinary check-ups, a balanced diet, and proper exercise can contribute to a longer, healthier life for your greyhound. It's essential to be aware of common health issues that may affect the breed, such as bloat and hip dysplasia, and to take preventive measures.

By providing a loving and supportive environment, you can help ensure your greyhound lives a full and happy life.

No. Greyhounds are sprinters and as such, tire very quickly. They enjoy, but are not dependent on, moderate exercise. In most homes, the shared experience of a short brisk walk once a day is enough to keep both the adopter and the adoptee in good physical health. They can make good jogging companions, but only after they are properly conditioned for long distances.

It depends on the dog. While some greyhounds are not suitable for homes with small animals such as cats and rabbits, a lot are. At GAP we behaviourally assess our greyhounds very thoroughly to ensure that a correct match between greyhound and adopter is achieved. Care should be taken when introducing your new greyhound to your other animals and they should never be left alone together until you are sure there are no problems.

Male greyhounds are larger than females, weighing from 30 to 45kg and standing from 65 to 75cm at the shoulder. The females can weigh from 25 to 35kg and stand from 60 to 70cm at the shoulder.

No. There is little difference between males and females, except that the males are larger. Female greyhounds tend to be more independent and stubborn, while males are generally more affectionate and easy going.

Greyhounds are quiet, well mannered, and very easy to live with. They are friendly, affectionate, lazy, calm, clean, loving, trusting and good-natured.

All adoptions should be undertaken with the expectation that your new pet will be with you for life. However, GAP will always reclaim greyhounds should your situation change or in the unlikely event that you are unhappy with the dog.

The most common colours are black, brindle and fawn. Other colours include blue and white, and a combination of these colours (e.g. black and white). It is important to note that GAP does not select dogs by colour.

Most of our dogs are house-trained before being adopted. Greyhounds are intelligent, clean animals who learn very quickly. As they are already kennel trained, house-training is usually quickly learnt. You should, however, expect some accidents until a routine has been established.

In public places, absolutely not! It is both illegal and extremely dangerous to allow a greyhound to run off lead. This includes off leash dog parks. Greyhounds are one of the fastest land mammals, with speeds reaching 67 kph. Horses, by comparison, have been known to reach 70 kph. If you think that you will simply run and catch your greyhound if he bolts, consider this: a sprinting man can run only 44 kph. Therefore, catching a running greyhound is only slightly less difficult than catching a running horse – impossible. Greyhounds have been bred for thousands of years for one thing: speed. In the case of retired racers, the situation is more acute because they have had the speed and chase mentality reinforced in them from the moment they were born. Once a greyhound spots something in the distance, they will be off to investigate and more times than not they won’t come back. Greyhounds also have no road sense and can easily run out on the road and get hit by a car. Due to the speed at which they run, greyhounds can quickly get lost or seriously injured or killed should they step in a pot hole, hit a stick or fence or slip on uneven ground.

No. Greyhounds are placid, friendly animals who are not protective about their property or people. They tend not to bark, and rarely alert owners to the arrival of strangers at their home.

The Victorian Government approved changes to the greyhound muzzling laws and effective 1 January 2019, retired greyhound owners can choose to have their greyhounds muzzle free in public. Note: Greyhounds who successfully pass the GAP program will continue to undergo a thorough temperament assessment to ensure they are safe around small dogs and okay to be muzzle free in public.

Yes. Greyhounds are fostered by GAP for around one month to expose them to as many new things as possible, and the dogs are quite settled in a family environment well before the foster time is through. Greyhounds thrive on human companionship and bond very quickly. Bonding usually only takes a matter of days, and becoming accustomed to a new routine and environment generally only takes a few weeks. The older greyhounds tend to be better mannered from the start while the younger dogs are generally more curious and active.

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