Finding Homes for Retired Racing Greyhounds

History of the greyhound breed

Greyhounds were originally bred as hunting dogs to chase hare, foxes, and deer. This breed can reach speeds of 40 to 45 miles per hour, making them the Ferraris of the dog world. Not surprisingly, Greyhounds made a name for themselves as racing dogs and are still used in racing today. They also participate in many other dog sports, including lure coursing, conformation, obedience, and agility. Beyond their grace and speed, people love them for their sweet, mild nature.

Greyhounds have a unique ability to perform a howl-like sound referred to as a "Roo".  

About The Dogs. Despite having lived in foster homes, newly adopted dogs may need help adjusting to their new homes. Some are social. Others are shy. Some may initially make housebreaking errors or need time to adjust to a new schedule. Most must be crated while owners are away, both for their safety and for the well-being of their new home. Some greyhounds do best in a home with another dog (any breed). Music City Greyhound Adoption takes its responsibility for placing dogs in appropriate, permanent homes very seriously. If we place a dog with you, we ask that you make a commitment to your hound for life.

The Greyhound is an ancient breed that originated in the Middle East and North Africa and has won the admiration of many different cultures. Greyhounds have been mentioned by Greeks, depicted in art by Egyptians, praised by a Roman poet, and are the only breed of dog mentioned in the Bible. Greyhounds found their way into Europe during the Dark Ages. They were so respected for their hunting prowess that the laws of the time protected royal game reserves by forbidding anyone living within 10 miles of the king's forests from owning a Greyhound. The Greyhound's popularity continued to grow in England, thanks to the popularity of coursing (the sport of chasing prey) and racing. Spanish explorers and British colonists brought them to the Americas where they thrived as well, coursing jackrabbits and coyotes on the wide-open plains. The Greyhound was one of the first breeds to appear in American dog shows, and the American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1885. The first official coursing race took place in 1886, and the National Coursing Association in the United States was founded in 1906.

Adopting a Greyhound FROM MCGA

Music City Greyhound Adoption

Is a Greyhound Right for You?

Adoption Fee. The adoption fee ($300) helps offset the cost of initial veterinary care for recently retired dogs. Each Music City greyhound has had the following services: spay/neuter, dental, heartworm screening and preventative, worming, vaccination updates if needed, screening for tick-borne infections and treatment and nail trimming. All of the greyhounds are adopted out with an information packet, tag collar, martingale collar, leash and muzzle. To begin the adoption process, we must receive your $50 deposit with your application. If your application is approved, this deposit will be applied to your adoption fee. If Music City Greyhound is not able to approve your application, your deposit will be returned. If you withdraw your application, your deposit is forfeited.

*Our adoption area is limited to Middle Tennessee, Northern Alabama and Southern Kentucky.* 

The Adoption Process. Usually within one to two weeks of receiving your Adoption Application and your $50 deposit, we will contact you for a twenty to thirty minute phone interview. A home visit is typically scheduled within two to three weeks after the phone interview. All persons who will be living in the home with the greyhound must be present for a home visit to occur. We are an all-volunteer organization, so home visits are done on weekends. Music City Greyhound representatives will generally bring at least two dogs we believe will be a good fit in your family. This affords you the opportunity of meeting more than one grey in person so that you can see the different personality of each dog and choose the one you feel is right for you.

Greyhounds are sighthounds, which means they can see about 1/2 mile away, and they have been bred for speed, so if they see something that interests them, they may be out of earshot before you can voice a command. As sighthounds, they don't have a "homing" instinct, so they will rarely find their way back home. For this reason, they must always be on a leash or in a securely fenced yard. They should never be tied outside or kept in a yard with only an invisible electric fence (which they will go right through). Greyhounds have very little body fat and short hair. They cannot tolerate extreme weather conditions - cold or hot. They need to be an indoor dog, spending the majority of their time inside the house with their family and not left outside for any length of time. They love to go on walks and play outside, but when play time is over, they will want/need to come back indoors. They do not require any more exercise than the average large dog. They are content to participate in whatever activity you are doing, whether that be taking a walk or watching television. Like any dog, they look forward to their daily walk(s) and most retired racers love a short run in a safely enclosed area. They are sprinters, not long distance runners, so usually after a few laps around the yard at high speed, they are ready to come indoors and take a nap. Greyhounds have a short smooth coat of hair that is easy to care for. They do shed, so a daily brushing will help keep the shedding to a minimum. They love being massaged with a rubber curry glove/hound mitt. They tend to have poor dental health, so talk with your vet about taking good care of their teeth. Daily brushing with toothpaste made for dogs (safe to swallow) and certain chew toys/bones can help minimize serious dental problems. Although most greyhounds do well with other dogs, you should always take precautions around smaller dogs. Greyhounds have been trained to chase small items and some have a strong prey drive. Always keep them muzzled when first meeting a small dog. Greyhounds have a gentle temperament. They are eager to please and don't respond well to harsh training methods. If you are interested in adopting a greyhound, please make sure to read "Retired Racing Greyhounds for Dummies", which we usually have available for sale at our Meet and Greets. We also recommend "Adopting the Racing Greyhound".