Retired racers placed through the Colonial Greyhound Adoption, Inc. program are usually between 18 months and 5 years of age. The majority of "retirees" are intelligent, friendly, quiet, clean, gentle and good-natured. They are eager to please and respond positively to any attention given to them. They are highly socialized with adult people - their trainers and kennel keepers - and other Greyhounds.

It is important to know, if you are considering adoption, that these dogs have never lived within a home environment - inside a house. They have no experience with everything we take for granted: household furniture and appliances, a ringing telephone, televisions, vacuum cleaners, sliding glass door, hardwood floors, hair dryers, etc. Their world has been limited to a kennel. They have never had a home, been a pet or known individual affection.

A new owner's commitment is the responsibility to patiently and compassionately help them to adapt to a totally new life - to learn how to be a pet and to adjust to a home. In time, retirees learn how to love in return and reward their new owners with never-ending affection! It is our policy that our experienced adoption coordinators act as a support team to guide and assist new owner's thought this adjustment period.

HOW ARE THEY?

With Children: Retired racing Greyhounds are not as playful as puppies, of course, being mature dogs, but can be tolerant of well-behaved older children (over age 6). Because these dogs have had no exposure to living with small children, families with infants and children younger than 6 years of age and encouraged to delay their adoption interest until the children are older.

With Other Pets: Greyhounds are friendly by nature and socialize well as a result of their encounters with other Greyhounds in the racing kennel. However, careful consideration is made when other breed pets are present in a home. The breed and personality, as well as age, of the other pet must be considered. There can be situations where the existing pet would not be a suitable companion to a Greyhound.

All the retirees are screened for a particular home situation. Particular care is taken when a cat is a pet in the home. There are no 100% guarantees that the Greyhound would be safe with a cat or any small animal within the home.

HOW ABOUT?

Housebreaking: Retired racing Greyhounds are "kennel trained" not housebroken. They are used to being "turned-out" several times a day to relieve themselves. This is a routine that they are accustomed to. Crate training and the development of a new "routine" for them is the most affective method of helping them to become housebroken. Mature dogs learn quickly. All new owners are required to crate train.

Exercise: There is a misperception that Greyhounds are high energy and over active dogs. As "career" dogs, they raced for a total of 28-30 SECONDS before returning to the kennel for 48 hrs of rest! As sprinters, they need extensive recovery time. All Greyhounds owners refer to their dogs as "couch potatoes". They are often lazy and enjoy curling-up on a big soft bed. They all enjoy frequent long walks, which of course is healthy for both dog and owner. It is not necessary nor recommended that they be encouraged to run at "full speed". After all, they are "retirees."

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