Why Greyhounds Are the Perfect Low-Maintenance Companion: 18 Compelling Reasons

Are you looking for a laid back, gentle, clean, affectionate dog? Do you need a dog that’s good for apartments?

A Greyhound might be the right dog for you.

Despite being known for racing, Greyhounds are actually one of the most laid back breeds around. If you’re looking for a low maintenance dog a Greyhound could be the right dog for you.

Greyhounds make excellent companions — give them love and a warm place to sleep and they’ll repay your kindness by becoming your best friend for life.

18 Awesome Reasons to Adopt a Greyhound

April is adopt a Greyhound month and I wanted to celebrate by showcasing why they make the perfect companion for nearly any family. Despite the fact that many Greyhounds have come from a neglected life on the racing track these dogs are highly adaptable to a home environment. Give them some love, affection, and a nice warm place to nap and they’ll be your best friend for life.

Although there are a small number of Greyhounds bred for the show ring most adoptable Greyhounds are retired racers. So when you adopt a Greyhound you’re not only gaining a best friend – you’re helping support the community of people dedicated to giving these guys a second chance after a rough start to life.

Next time you’re looking to add a canine companion to your family consider a Greyhound. It’s hard to find a more laid back, gentle, quiet, and adaptable dog. Here’s a list of 18 excellent reasons to adopt a Greyhound.

1. Greyhounds Make Great Apartment Dogs

They’re quiet indoors, laid back, and love to lounge around in their favorite comfy spot. They’ll be happy to lay around all day while you go to work. They require less exercise than many other breeds.

2. Greyhounds Have Excellent Manners

They’re very gentle dogs and are naturally reserved. Greyhounds have wonderful manners indoors – they’re quiet, clean, gentle, and mild mannered. If you’re looking a dog that’s easygoing and known for being well mannered when meeting new people a Greyhound will make a perfect companion.

3. Greyhounds Can Enjoy Your Active Lifestyle

They love to go out on adventures with their family. Whether you enjoy hiking, jogging, or exploring new parks your Greyhound will love to be part of the adventure. Their polite and gentle nature makes them excellent buddies for travel and meeting new people and pets. When adopting through a rescue organization they’ll be able to match you with a dog that matches your active lifestyle.

4. Greyhounds Are Professional Couch Potatoes

Give your Greyhound a nice warm, comfy spot to lay in and they’re good. Many Greyhounds sleep as much as 16 – 18 hours a day. You will also be amazed by their ability to sleep in very odd positions. Known as “roaching” Greyhounds will lay on their back and have their long legs extended at all different angles.

5. Greyhounds Are Extremely Laid Back

They’re perfect for those who love to enjoy a nice daily walk and a relaxing evening at home.

6. Greyhounds Make Wonderful Family Pets

Due to their gentle nature Greyhounds make excellent companions for the whole family. Retired racers adapt well and thrive in a home environment. They’re Sweet, gentle, loving, clean, quiet, and smart – making them excellent family pets.

7. You’ll Be Joining a Supportive Community

Those who have adopted Greyhounds belong to a special group of people devoted to this wonderful breed. Instead of just adopting a new best friend you’ll be joining a community that sticks together to help dogs in need. You’ll find yourself with a new set of friends that are willing to lend a hand and help with any questions or concerns you might have.

8. Greyhounds Are Very Affectionate

Who doesn’t love a canine cuddle buddy? While temperaments vary by individual dog most love to follow their human companions around and cherish human affection. You’ll always have a companion happy to be right by your side and ready for a nice cuddle.

9. Greyhounds Are Easy to Groom (Low Maintenance)

Their short coat is sleek and easy to care for – easily maintained by weekly grooming and an occasional bath. They’re shedding is considered average.

Due to their short hair and thin skin Greyhounds are indoor dogs only:

10. When You Adopt a Greyhound You’re Saving a Life

As with other rescue dogs when you adopt a Greyhound you’re saving a dog in need. By adopting you’re helping to make room for these rescues to help other animals in need. Many people who have adopted or rescued an animal are amazed by their gratefulness; they love nothing more than being given a second chance.

11. Greyhounds Are Mild Mannered and Gentle

A lot of us like to sit back and relax after a long day at work – your Greyhound will gladly join you on the couch. They won’t even complain if you end up watching a Golden Girls marathon – just being close to you is reward enough for them.

12. They Come in a Variety of Stunning Colors

These beautiful dogs come a variety of colors from white to black, brindle to grey, tan to red, and any combination of these colors with white spots.

13. Greyhounds Are Considered a Healthy, Robust, Long Lived Breed

Compared with other breeds of the same size Greyhounds have an longer average life expectancy of 10-13 years. Due to their selective and careful breeding for the track their health concerns are considered minimal compared to other breeds of the same size.

14. You Can Choose the Perfect Dog For Your Lifestyle

Adopting an adult Greyhound means you can choose a dog that will fit right in with your family. Do you have cats? Children? Other dogs? Work long hours? The rescue agency will be able to make a match based on your current situation.

Can dogs get any cuter or more perfect than this?

15. Greyhounds Are Polite When Meeting New People

If you’d like a dog you can take with you to the market or park a Greyhound will make an excellent partner. They’re known for being very gentle and polite when meeting new people an dogs. They’re not known for being aggressive or pushy. Their polite nature makes outings with them easy and nearly effortless.

16. Greyhounds Are Great For First Time Dog Owners

Getting your first dog is overwhelming so make it easy on yourself and choose a laid back companion like a Greyhound. They’re a low maintenance breed that is highly adaptable to living in any home environment including apartments. When you welcome a Greyhound into your home you’ll gain a companion for life. Contact a local Greyhound rescue agency and they’ll help you find your perfect match.

17. Greyhounds Are Quiet & Relaxed

Greyhounds don’t bark much which is one of the reasons why they popular dogs for apartments and condos. If course if you have a barking dog already they can pick up on those behaviors.

18. Greyhounds Adapt Quickly Into Their New Homes

Even though most retired racing Greyhounds have spent much of their life in a kennel they’re quite adapt at fitting into a new home environment. Being calm, quiet, having patience, and establishing a routine will help your new Greyhound feel at east in his new home.

Resources & Recommended Reading

• Greyhound Adoption Agency Directory – Browse by state or country
• Still More Reasons You Should Adopt a Greyhound
• One Very Good Reason To Adopt a Greyhound
• 30 Reasons Greyhounds Are Gentle Giants And You Should Adopt One

Please share if you agree. Help spread the word about how amazing Greyhounds are and let’s help find these awesome retired dogs the loving forever homes they deserve.