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Adopting the Older Greyhound© Judy A Tomlinson
Apr 8, 1997
Adopting the older Greyhound can be more difficult for greyhound adoption agencies.
When a Greyhound reaches 8 years of age they are considered to be "geriatric". They
may not have as many years left as the younger ones, but they surely know how to win
your heart. They can be so appreciative of a permanent home, and a soft bed to lay on!
They may have been shuffled around often at an earlier age. There are various reasons
that folks do not want to adopt an older hound. There may be more physical problems, or
it may be that the person is reluctant because of the fear of becoming too attached to a
dog who might not be with them as long. Those who have adopted an older dog will
usually tell of wonderful experiences and deep affection felt for these seniors of the
canine world.
Some signs to watch for in your older Greyhound might be--
1. Their sleeping routine might become longer, and sleep may be deeper than in the
earlier days.
2. They may become less playful--liking to lay in the sun for longer periods of time.
3. Some Greys can become less patient when dealing with playful puppies or
rambunctious children. Physically you need to be attentive to any changes in their health. The sight is one area
that could become a problem. Some Greys have impaired vision, and some may develop
Cataracts. The Cataracts can be removed if severe. Many dogs with impaired vision
and/or hearing acquire a greater sense of smell, for example. They learn to develop their
other senses in much the same way that humans with impaired vision or hearing do. If
you have a dog who is not seeing as well as before, you can help them by keeping the
furniture in the same place and keeping a nightlight on for them. One other problem may
be loss of bladder control. To make clean-up easier, some people remove their carpets. It
is also a good idea to have a dog bed with a plastic-covered foam pad inside and a fleece
cover outside that can be removed for washing. Since many ex-racers have had their
share of injuries during their career, arthritis is a disease they are inclined towards. Your
veterinarian can suggest medication in this instance to help make them more
comfortable. The immune system in an older dog may be less effective. It is important to shield these
dogs from infectious diseases. Also the physical and metabolic rates will decrease. They
will need fewer calories to maintain the same weight. If fed the same amount as when
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