Why Retired Racing Greyhounds Make the Best Pets: A Pawrent's Perspective
As Greyhound pawrents to two retired racers, I can say with certainty that these gentle giants make incredible pets. our girl, Zephyr, and our boy, Teddy, have filled our home with so much love, laughter, and the occasional zoomie.
Gentle Giants with a Heart of Gold
When Zephyr first came home, we were struck by her gentle, affectionate nature. As soon as we signed the adoption form, she jumped right into our car – and right into our hearts. Despite her history as an athlete, she quickly adapted to the quiet pace of our home. She did experience some separation anxiety at first, but with training, patience, and a consistent routine, she learned to feel secure when we weren’t home.
Teddy, our second greyhound, is just like his name – a big, cuddly teddy bear who curl up on our couch on the first day like he had been doing it all his life. Greyhounds thrive on human companionship and are wonderful with kids, seniors, and even other pets when properly introduced.
They Don’t Take Up Much Space
At first, I worried about whether a tall dog like Zephyr would fit into our home. But we quickly learned that greyhounds are surprisingly compact. They’re perfectly content in smaller homes or even apartments, as long as they have a comfy spot to lounge. Teddy loves curling up into the smallest corner of the couch – it’s amazing how much he can fold himself up! Their quiet and polite nature also makes them ideal for urban living.
Easy to Care For
One of the things I love about being a greyhound mom is how low-maintenance they are. Zephyr and Teddy don’t need hours of running every day, despite their history as racers. A 20-30 minute walk is usually enough to keep them happy. They also enjoy a bit of playtime – Teddy, in particular, loves his zoomies on the grass, while Zephyr prefers her little bursts of energy on the bed.
Unique Personalities and Quirks
One of the joys of having greyhounds is discovering their unique personalities. Zephyr is the queen of elegance, while Teddy is the goofy, playful one. They both have their quirks – like Zephyr’s habit of stealing cushions for her “nest” and Teddy’s adorable “greyhound roach” sleeping position (on his back with legs in the air). And those soulful eyes? They get me every time.
Dressing them up!
One of the best parts about having a greyhound is getting to dress them up – and trust me, it’s a lot of fun! Greyhounds can get chilly, especially in the winter months. They enjoy snuggling up in cozy coats or pajamas, and it’s so cute watching them prance around in their little outfits.
Adopt a Greyhound in New Zealand
If my experience has inspired you to consider adopting a greyhound, there are some amazing organizations in New Zealand that can help. We adopted Zephyr through Greyhounds as Pets (GAP) and Teddy through May Hounds, and I can’t speak highly enough about both groups. And other great places we know to adopt a Greyhound are Kiwikiwi Hounds and Nightrave. These are the people who truly understand greyhounds, work closely with trainers, and know the breed inside and out.
A Forever Friend Awaits
Becoming greyhound parents has been one of the most rewarding experiences of our life. Zephyr and Teddy have brought so much love, laughter, and adventures into our home. Whether you’re looking for a laid-back companion for cozy nights or a sweet, gentle soul to share life’s little moments, a greyhound is sure to fill your heart with happiness.
