Ready to adopt guide
I’ve found the perfect greyhound for me. What now?
There’s nothing quite like being prepared. From getting the right kit, to supporting you to settle them into their new home, we’ve got you covered.
Lead and collar
Your greyhound’s narrow head and neck mean they need a special ‘fish shaped’ collar to stay comfortable while going for walkies. Ensure it fits properly – it should sit just behind their ears at the thinnest part of the neck and be loose enough to get two fingers beneath it.
Never use an extendable lead – if your retired racer fancies a quick run, remember they’re always faster than you are. You need to protect their delicate neck from a sudden yank – and yourself.
Muzzle
Ever wondered why greyhounds wear muzzles? Until you’re confident about how they’ll feel and behave around other animals, it’s a good idea to fit them with a comfortable muzzle when you’re out and about. The greyhound rehoming centre or trainer should provide you with a ‘box’ muzzle, with plenty of room to pant in and drink through.
While they might look a bit uncomfortable, greyhounds are used to wearing muzzles from their time at the racetrack and it shouldn’t upset them.
Other items
- Raised water and food bowl
- Soft, comfy bedding both inside and outside their indoor kennel/crate
- Toys and chews
- A coat for cold and wet weather – their thin skin and low body fat mean they struggle to keep warm when it’s chilly
- Clean towels for drying off after wet walks
ID and microchip
Imagine the worry of losing your beloved greyhound during a walk in the park. If they do decide to follow their nose, ensuring they have suitable identification can help bring him home. It’s also a legal requirement. All dogs must always wear an ID tag on their collar when out and about. This should include your name and address.
All retired greyhounds are registered with GBGB’s microchip database – Microdog ID. When you adopt a greyhound, ensure you update their details with your own name and address and transfer the registration to a Defra compliant, commercial microchip company such as PETtrac, Chipworks, identibase or Animal Tracker.
Register with a vet
Whether it’s time for routine health checks and annual vaccinations, or they need emergency treatment, your greyhound must be registered with a vet close to home. Their trainer or greyhound rehoming centre should provide you with their full medical history, including the dates of latest boosters, flea and worming treatments and any previous injuries or medications.
Pet insurance
If your greyhound gets sick or injured, having pet insurance could be crucial to ensuring they get the treatment they need. Vets bills for any animal can be expensive, but with plenty of plans on the market, you can find the right policy for you and your new best friend.
”“They're an absolute privilege to own. The joy is ours. We’re the lucky ones.”
MarkAdopted Wolfie and Sandy
Owning a dog can sometimes feel a bit like having a toddler around the house, and some of our everyday human items should be kept out of reach.
- Tuck away any electrical wires until you’re sure they won’t be chewed.
- Stick coloured tape on large glass doors to avoid collisions. The cleaner the glass, the harder it is to see!
- Check your garden is secure and there are no gaps in fences or hedges.
- Are your garden tools safely stored away?
- Check your garden for any sharp bits of fencing, stumps or plant supports.
- Fill any holes in the garden to avoid slips or injuries.
- Look out for hazardous plants, indoors and out.
- Is your rubbish and food waste securely out of reach?
Poisonous substances
Numerous household items and some of our favourite foods – chocolate, coffee, grapes, avocados – are toxic for dogs, so do your homework and check that any harmful substances and products in your home are kept well out of reach of curious noses.
If you have young children, make sure you supervise snack and mealtimes to avoid your dog eating anything they shouldn’t. If you think they might have accidentally gobbled anything harmful, contact your vet immediately.
Whether you live in a basement flat, or in a busy house with young children, your greyhound rehoming centre will take time and care to match you with your perfect greyhound. But whether you bring home a goofy character, a bouncy ball of energy or a couch potato, being in a human home is a brand-new experience for them, with unfamiliar sights, sounds and smells. Having grown up in kennels, they all need a little time to adjust.
Toilet training
When you first arrive home, take them outside to a designated poop spot. Praise and offer treats when they do their business. Repeat this process every hour or so for the first day before establishing a routine.
Consider visitors
While you might be itching to introduce your new greyhound to friends and family, it’s a good idea to wait for a few days, or until they are settled, before having guests. One step at a time.
Help them explore
Take your greyhound around their new home on the lead first, before taking it off and allowing them to discover their new surroundings and have a good sniff.
There are lots of everyday things we take for granted that they have never seen or heard before, like the sound of a washing machine, or even using the stairs, so they may need some understanding and gentle encouragement at first.
Be patient
Like people, some dogs settle more quickly in a new home than others, and it’s normal for your greyhound to be anxious at first. He may not have much of an appetite, he may pace, pant or chew. Be patient and give him time to get used to his new surroundings.
