Greyhounds, even retired racing greyhounds, are generally long-lived. The average life span of a greyhound is between 10 and 13 years, but some individuals of the breed can live up to 15 years. Part of the reason for greyhounds’ longevity is the lack of major genetic health problems that sometimes plague other breeds.
Though greyhounds are typically very healthy dogs, a few health problems are commonly seen in the breed. Greyhounds can be susceptible to bone cancer, particularly in the legs, and are prone to cuts and lacerations in their delicate skin. Retired racing greyhounds may have injuries from their racing days that can impact their longevity, including muscle, hock and foot issues.
A. Greyhounds do not need to be muzzled at all times, but we do recommend that you keep your greyhound muzzled when out and about, at least until you are confident of their behaviour around other breeds. They are quite used to it and associate it with pleasurable walks. If you feel you need to let your dog off the lead, a confined space and the wearing of a muzzle is recommended. We provide a collar, lead and muzzle with every greyhound that we home.
A. Most greyhounds get on well with other dogs and many live with other breeds. Common sense and careful introductions are the key. If you have another dog, speak to our volunteers who will usually recommend that you bring them down to the kennels to help pick their new greyhound friend.
Greyhounds are very adaptable and our homing policies are flexible*. Our dedicated volunteers work hard to match the right greyhound with the right family; even if you work, have children, cant walk very far or have other pets, we consider all circumstances and look at all situations individually, so its always worth getting in touch with your local branch.
Did you know the greyhound is one of the oldest breeds in history? These noble dogs have been traced back over 4,000 years to early cave drawings and are the only breed mentioned in the Bible. By giving a greyhound a home, you are taking on a true thoroughbred and a breed that has been “mans’ best friend” for thousands of years!
A. Greyhounds are sighthounds and it is their instinct to chase. Despite this, some greyhounds can be trained to live happily with cats and other small pets (and sometimes, they even become the best of friends!). If you have a cat or another small pet, make sure to discuss this with your local branch who will be able to let you know if they have any greyhounds that they think will be suitable.
What About Retired Race Dogs? Do They Have The Same Lifespan?
Fortunately, yes! Even retired track stars have the same average life expectancy. Greyhounds are typically retired from racing when they are two to five years old, although sometimes older dogs will be available for adoption.
They might require a bit more exercise throughout their lives to maintain their trim physique, but their overall life expectancy should not be affected by having been a racer.
Comparison: Lifespan of Dog Breeds | How Long Will Your Dog Live?
Just as people face certain ailments as they age, so do our beloved Greyhounds. This is something that unfortunately we face much sooner with our dogs since they age about seven times faster than humans. To put this in perspective, a ten year old Greyhound is equivalent in years to a seventy year old person. Greyhounds age particularly fast due to their large body size, poor nutrition and sanitation during their formative years at the track, and from the extreme exertion placed on their bodies from years of racing. Therefore, a Greyhound is considered to be a “senior citizen” by approximately seven or eight years of age. The following is a description of some common problems encountered in senior Greyhounds, including diseases, available treatments, and measures that can be taken for early for screening and prevention of disease.
One of the most common problems faced by aging Greyhounds is arthritis which is caused by a breakdown of cartilage in their joints. Cartilage functions as a cushion between the bones, so when the cushion is destroyed, the bones rub against each other which leads to inflammation and pain. The cartilage can be destroyed from normal weight bearing over time, from injury to the joints, or from malformation of joints due to poor breeding. Any dog can develop arthritis, but Greyhounds are at a higher risk as they are large breed dogs that have most likely sustained racing injuries and have been bred irresponsibly. Symptoms of arthritis include stiffness when walking, difficulty rising, reluctance to jump or climb stairs, and crying during movements. While some degree of arthritis will be expected, the severity and pain can be reduced with care at home and from your veterinarian. Keeping your dog at a lean body weight is important since excess body fat can place additional stress on the joints. Senior pets should be fed an appropriate amount of a good quality pet food as determined by your vet, and should not be fed table food or treats that are high in calories. Slow, controlled exercise, such as 15-20 minute leash walks 2-3 times per day, is important in maintaining a healthy body weight as well as keeping joints the joints lubricated and preventing stiffness. Finally, there are medications that can help prevent and alleviate the pain of arthritis. Greyhounds of any age can take a daily joint supplement containing Glucosamine/Chondroitin Sulfate to decrease the severity of this disease. This supplement can be found at most pet stores and veterinary clinics and is also found as an ingredient in some of the commercial pet foods. It works by helping to repair and restore the damaged cartilage within the joints and does not require a prescription. Prescription medications that decrease inflammation and pain associated with arthritis such as Rimadyl or Deramaxx are also available to help keep your pet comfortable. Your veterinarian will decide when these are appropriate and may require periodic bloodwork to monitor for side effects if your dog needs to take this type of medication on a daily basis. Arthritis can be a painful but manageable disease if detected and treated early and consistently.
Cancer is another common ailment faced by the aging Greyhound, particularly bone cancer. Osteosarcoma is the most common type of bone cancer in Greyhounds and usually occurs in carpus (wrist), shoulder, or stifle (knee). Symptoms of bone cancer can look very similar to those of arthritis. Therefore, it is imperative that you take your Greyhound to the vet if you notice any signs of limping or pain as these two diseases can only be distinguished via x-rays of the joints and bones. Bone cancer is extremely painful and aggressive. If not diagnosed early, it can spread to other areas of the body making prognosis for survival very poor. If diagnosed early, aggressive treatment is necessary to prevent spread of the disease and pain for the dog. Ideally, the affected limb must be amputated to alleviate the source of the cancer and the painful area of bone, followed by chemotherapy to destroy any cancerous cells that may have escaped into the bloodstream. Some dogs do very well with this type of treatment and do not experience the side effects from chemotherapy such as hair loss like in humans. However, not all dogs are good candidates for these procedures and this will be a very personal decision between you and your veterinarian if your Greyhound is diagnosed with this disease. Other types of cancer can also occur in Greyhounds, so alert your vet at the first signs of illness, and schedule your senior pet with him/her for regular checkups and routine lab tests at least twice a year.
Finally, senior Greyhounds can suffer from failure of one of more of their organs such as heart, kidney, or liver. Some Greyhounds are born with or develop a heart murmur (abnormal flow of blood through the heart). A heart murmur can be detected by your veterinarian when listening to your dog’s heart with their stethoscope. Murmurs can eventually lead to an accumulation of fluid in the lungs, known as heart failure. Symptoms of heart disease include coughing, difficulty breathing, weakness, or lethargy. If your dog has a murmur or any of these signs, your vet can do chest x-rays or an ultrasound of the heart to determine the cause and severity of the disease. There are many different heart medications and low sodium diets available to help prevent and treat heart disease if this should become necessary. The easiest way to prevent heart disease is by testing your Greyhound for heartworm disease annually and keeping them on monthly heartworm prevention. Liver or kidney failure can cause your Greyhound to exhibit symptoms such as vomiting, poor appetite, increased drinking or urinating, weight loss, or jaundice. If detected early through routine blood screens, these diseases can be managed with special diets and medications as prescribed by your vet. Yearly dental cleanings and home dental care can help prevent some types of organ diseases by minimizing spread of bacteria from the mouth into the bloodstream. Good quality food and vitamins as recommended by your vet can also keep organs healthy and functioning well.
While we cannot keep our Greyhounds from aging, we can help them to lead a quality life well into their senior years. Make sure to have your senior Greyhound examined at least every 6 months by your vet, including routine lab tests to screen for disease. Monitor your Greyhound closely for any changes in behavior or health and report changes immediately to your vet. Most diseases can be managed or treated more successfully if diagnosed early. As in human health care, eating healthy, exercising, and regular preventive care can increase longevity and quality of life in our Pets as well!