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About the Breed

For thousands of years greyhounds have been bred to hunt by outrunning their prey. They were not intended to be solitary hunters, but to work with other dogs. Switching from hunting to racing has kept this aspect of their personality very much alive. The fastest breed of dog, greyhounds can reach a top speed of 45 miles per hour, and can average more than 30 miles per hour for distances up to one mile. Selective breeding has given the greyhound an athlete's body with the grace of a dancer. At the same time, the need to anticipate the evasive maneuvers of their prey has endowed the Greyhound with a high degree of intelligence.

The greyhound has a long neck and head, with a barely noticeable stop, or bridge to his nose. The ears are small and usually folded flat back against the neck. Their ears have a variety of poses, from straight up, to laid back flat against their neck ("rose bud" ears), to semi-pricked ears like a Collie's.

The back is long and muscular with an arch over the loin. The deep chest and narrow waist give the greyhound its distinctive silhouette. The legs are long and powerful. The feet are small and compact, with well knuckled toes. The tail is long and curved.

The coat of a greyhound is short and smooth. Greyhounds come in an endless variety of colors, including white, fawn (tan), cream, red (rust), black, blue (gray), many shades of brindle, and with patches of these colors on white. Their most common color is brindle, black tiger stripes on a lighter background. The most common brindle is fawn, and most have a black mask. Their coat length differs from dog to dog, and some will have a thicker, teddy bear coat while others have a short, slick coat with just some feathering on the buttocks. They have virtually no body fat. In general, greyhounds are very clean and do not require a lot of grooming.

Three separate breeding lines exist: racing, coursing and show greyhounds. Racing greyhounds are bred for speed, coursing greys for a combination of speed, endurance, and courage, and show greys for appearance. A show greyhound typically stands 26-30 inches at the shoulder and weighs 60-85 pounds. Bitches average around 10 to 15 pounds less than dogs. The average lifespan is twelve to fourteen years. Track greyhounds are usually 25-29 inches and 50-80 pounds. The AKC standard specifies 65-70 pounds for males, 60-65 for females as ideal. The modern coursing dog is 20 percent heavier than his ancestors 30 years ago. Modern track dogs are considerably more flat-sided than the greyhounds ofpre-modern coursing days.

GPA/OC&GLA Greyhounds

Greyhounds placed through our program usually are between 18 months and four years old. These ex-racers are intelligent, quiet, clean, gentle, good-natured, adaptable dogs who adjust readily to their new home environment. They are eager to please and respond positively to any attention. They seem grateful for their new homes and regard their new owners with never-ending affection. They do not require a great deal of space to run, as many people think, but they do need exercise. Inside the house they enjoy curling up in a corner on a soft blanket.

Since greyhound racing is illegal in California, most of our dogs come from out of state. The majority come from the Caliente racetrack in Tijuana, Mexico, but we have taken dogs from Arizona, Colorado, and Idaho as well. We also from time to time rescue       greyhounds left at local animal shelters. Our first commitment is to former racers, but we will try to help any greyhound in need.

Greyhounds spend most of their lives in the company of other dogs, their trainers, and handlers. Greyhounds have all the advantages of breeding and training when it comes to being a good pet. Their sociability generally makes them great with other pets (including cats!). Their temperament makes them wonderful around children and friends. Their intelligence and breed make them perfect house pets, clean, quiet, and a loving companion. Whether you are a family looking for a playful friend, or an individual looking for a devoted companion, a well-mannered greyhound could be just the pet for you. Because greyhounds have been raised in kennels, a careful introduction into a suitable home environment is a must for successful placements.