Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Q:      How much is the adoption fee?

A:        Around £150. As a Charity we do not sell our dogs but we do accept donations and all the money donated goes to the care, rehoming and needs of the dogs we help. We don’t specify the amount, but we hope you will think around £150 is a fair donation.

Q:      What do you get for the £150 donation?

A:        Before you rehome a dog, it has been fully vet checked, microchipped, vaccinated, parasite treated and neutered. All our dogs come with a muzzle, a lead, a collar, 4 weeks of free pet insurance with Petplan and a voucher for the next parasite treatment against fleas and worms. All the money you donate goes straight back to rehome more dogs.

Q:      What is the Adoption Process?

A:        Whether you call us on 07873 381470 or send an online contact form, we will ask you some questions to understand which available greyhound might be best suited to you. We may email you an Enquiry Form to complete and ask you to return it to us at enquiries@dcgr.org.uk and then we will call you to discuss our dogs.

We may ask to visit you at home with available and suitable dogs, or we may ask you to meet us to view dogs. When we are all happy that the match is right, your dog will be available to rehome within days. Unless by special arrangement, we don’t hold dogs on reserve for more than a few days so we ask you to be sure you are ready for a dog before you meet those available to avoid disappointment.

Q:      What kind of dogs do you rehome?

A:        At DCGR we usually have around a dozen dogs looking for homes. Most have been bred as Racing Greyhounds but not all have raced. Most are adult hounds between 3-5 years old but younger and older dogs are often also waiting for homes. Most dogs have not lived in a home before and are more used to kennel experiences but will adapt well to households given some time and patience to settle in to their new life.

A large breed, Greyhounds can be between 27- 30 inches tall (68-76cm) and weigh 55-88 pounds (25-40kilograms) and come in many different coat colours including Black, White, Brindle, Blue and Fawn.

Q:      How long do Greyhounds live for?

A:        On average a greyhound can live around 12-15 years. As with all dogs a regular vet check-up is essential along with good diet, exercise and general care.

Q:      Can I adopt a greyhound if there are children and other pets in the household?

A:        Yes. We treat each adoption request individually and try to match the right dog to your situation. All the members of the household should meet the dog prior to adoption to see that everyone is comfortable with the match.

Q:      Do greyhounds need a lot of exercise?

A:        No. Each dog will have different requirements, but on average 2 walks per day around 20 minutes long will be all they need. However, many dogs will also love longer or more adventurous outings and we will hope to match your energy levels with theirs.

Q:      Why do greyhounds need warm jackets in cold weather?

A:        In comparison to other dogs, Greyhounds have very little body fat under very fine fur. They can get cold (and hot) more quickly than other breeds and the general rule is: If you need a coat to go out, so do they! They appreciate a warm soft bed for sleeping in for the same reason. The warm hound will sleep more soundly too which is good for everyone!

Q:      Why do you rehome dogs with Muzzles? Are they dangerous?

A:        No. In most cases greyhounds are quiet, affectionate and loyal family animals. They belong to the Sighthound group of dogs and have a natural chasing instinct which may have been enforced during many years training in a racing career. They are used to wearing muzzles in their everyday lives and there are many things in your greyhound’s new life they will have never encountered. They may have limited socialisation with other dog breeds, never seen bicycles or livestock.

We give you a muzzle on adoption and hope you will use it as you get to know your dog and as your dog learns what is expected of them, what is good to chase (tennis balls not cats!) and to safely meet all those new experiences. You may never use the muzzle after a short time of settling in but it is the best piece of equipment to have on standby for many uses including to stop your dog licking a wound or eating dangerous or unwanted things from the ground.

Q:      What do Greyhounds eat and how much?

A:        Like us, Greyhounds need a balanced diet and can be fed dry, wet or raw food. The dogs in our care will have been fed a dry, complete, kibble dog food around 400-600g per day over 2 meals which can include supplements like fruit, vegetable or meat toppings and treats. But there are also some foods which can be dangerous for dogs to eat like chocolate, avocado, anything from the onion family, alcohol and anything from the grape and raisin family. Be sure to check the packaging of the food you wish to feed your dog for the advised amount based on the size, age and activity levels of your dog. It’s very easy to overfeed a greyhound. They should be slim and sleek in order to have the best quality and quantity of life. Often a good starting point for a weight check is to be sure you can feel all the ribs of your dog when you lightly run your hand over them and see the pins of the hip bones and last ribs clearly. You can show your dog love in many ways but too much food is not advised.

Q:      Do Greyhounds need a lot of grooming?

A:       No. Greyhounds are large breed dogs but do not need a lot of grooming care. Their coats are short, fine and sleek with no undercoat so grooming is very simple, just a few minutes a week. And their skin doesn’t produce much oil so they do not require many baths per year. As with all dogs, nail trimming and dental hygiene is important but in most areas the greyhound is not a time consuming or difficult breed to look after.

Q:      What are greyhounds like to live with?

A:        Greyhounds are usually quiet dogs who rarely bark. Most have placid and calm temperaments and are content to be around you without much commotion. They are often described as 45mile per hour couch potatoes for their love of snoozing and will happily sleep in most situations. But they also love to run and it’s exhilarating to see when they do. You may find them having a fast run in the garden zooming around for 2 minutes and then back to their bed for 2 hours.

Most greyhounds are affectionate and loyal, intelligent and gentle. Easy to care for they don’t take much work to please but they do like a cosy bed to stretch out in. Greyhounds are generally very happy to live with children and can enjoy the company of other pets too. They are often very easy to walk on the lead and despite their physical size are often very laid-back animals… often to be found laid back on the sofa with all 4 legs in the air.