Greyhounds are sprinters and generally tire quickly. A 15-20 minute walk once a day is usually enough to keep your Greyhound in good physical health. Some Greyhounds enjoy doing a few quick sprints in the safety of their backyard, known as “zoomies,” but generally spend the rest of the day lounging in their favourite spot.

Most GAP Greyhounds are between 2 and 4 years old, but we often have Greyhounds available to adopt between 18 months to 10 years of age. Their adaptable nature predisposes an easy transition to a family pet at any age. Greyhounds typically live for 12 - 14 years.

Generally, our Greyhounds have no specific house training prior to adoption, but most acquire this skill quickly and easily. There may be some accidents whilst you establish a routine, but most Greyhounds will learn their toilet spot very quickly.

Greyhounds are usually very tolerant with children. As with all breeds of dog, small children should never be left unsupervised with your Greyhound. It’s also important that children learn to respect the dog and its personal space, especially around food and bedding. Homes with children should provide a ‘time out’ area – this is a quiet space where your dog can go without being disturbed. GAP staff can advise on a Greyhound suitable for adoption by a family with young children.

Greyhounds may have had limited socialisation with other dog breeds prior to their entry into GAP. We assess every dog individually and make decisions on their ideal homes based on how they interact with dogs of multiple sizes and of different breeds. If you have an existing dog and are looking for a sibling, the team at GAP can assist with making sure it's the right fit by supervising a meet and greet with your dog. Greyhounds should be introduced to other pets in the home with care, and supervised feeding is always recommended in a multi-pet household.

All adoptions should be undertaken with the expectation that your new pet will be with you for the rest of its life. However, your Greyhound can be surrendered back to GAP if your circumstances change. GAP considers the first three weeks of any adoption a settling-in period. We will contact you during this time to see how your match is settling and be available for support if needed.

Some Greyhounds are not suitable for homes with small animals such as cats and rabbits. GAP has a limited number of dogs available that have been deemed appropriate to live with cats. These Greyhounds are popular and generally adopted quickly. They are noted on the GAP website with a cat symbol. Adopters should follow instructions from GAP for introducing cats and other pets. It is not advisable for dogs to be unsupervised around poultry or smaller pets like rabbits and guinea pigs.

Many greyhounds have only experienced racing life prior to adoption, and transitioning into a home can be a new experience for them. They are an adaptable dog and usually adjust to their retirement with ease. There are several things a Greyhound needs from its new owner to adapt to their new pet home. These range from toilet training through to understanding what stairs are. GAP provides lifetime support to all adopters of Greyhounds and is on hand to answer any questions you may have.

Potential adopters should contact our supportive team at GAP, who facilitate a positive adoption experience and match a Greyhound to suit your situation and lifestyle. Adopting a Greyhound is a rewarding experience for anyone looking to welcome a pet into their lives.