Greyhounds have a branding problem.
Long, lean legs. An aerodynamic build capable of reaching speeds of up to 65 kilometres per hour. From the outside, everything about greyhounds suggests a dog that requires endless exercise, acres of backyard, and an owner with the energy to match.
The reality is, according to almost everyone who has lived with one (this writer included), they are considerably less athletic.
For a breed famous for its athletic prowess, greyhounds spend a remarkable amount of time asleep. Most owners quickly discover that while they can have incredible bursts of athleticism, they’re equally committed to conserving energy whenever possible.
A typical day in the life of a grey generally consists of a short walk — 20 minutes is usually plenty — followed by a nap, another nap, perhaps a strategic relocation to a sunnier patch, then bed.
It’s this gap between perception and reality that Greyhounds As Pets WA hopes to close this month, with adoption fees reduced from $200.00 to $75.00 throughout June. And once you start unpicking the myths, a very different picture begins to emerge.
Myth #1: Greyhounds aren’t a good fit for families
Before adopting Evy, Halan’s biggest concern wasn’t temperament — it was size.
A single mum with two school-aged children, she’d previously only owned smaller dogs and wasn’t entirely convinced that a full-grown grey would feel manageable for family life. That (very valid) concern didn’t last long.
“We originally planned to only foster Evy, but it did not take long before we all became very attached to her,” says Halan. “She fit into our family so naturally, and it quickly felt like she already belonged with us.”
School drop-offs and pick-ups have become a regular part of her day, while workdays are typically spent snoozing at home or searching for treats hidden around the garden.
“When I need to work full days away, she is comfortable staying at home on her own and spends most of that time sleeping,” says Halan.
“I quickly learned that greyhounds are incredibly gentle and easy-going,” she says. “Evy has been easier to train than any of our previous dogs.”
In fact, she’s become somewhat of an overachiever since she was adopted in February of this year. Sit, bow, shake, spin, play dead — if there’s a treat involved, Evy is more than happy to demonstrate her entire repertoire.
Myth #2: Greyhounds don’t suit busy schedules
For Yvonne and her husband, a greyhound was always high on the shortlist. The full-time workers wanted a larger breed with a calm temperament that wouldn’t require hours of daily exercise. After meeting Sheeran (no relation to Ed, that we know of) through Greyhounds As Pets WA in October last year, they left with a new family member the very same day.
Like many prospective adopters, Yvonne assumed greyhounds would need far more activity than they actually do, and that the transition from foster dog to permanent pet would come with a steeper learning curve. Instead, Sheeran took to it almost immediately.
“He’s been an absolute dream,” says Yvonne. “He settled in so quickly and was roaching in his favourite spot on the sofa within a few hours of us bringing him home.”
Roaching, for the uninitiated, is a uniquely greyhound resting position in which they lie flat on their backs with all four legs in the air. The name comes from their uncanny resemblance to a very relaxed (or more likely a very defeated) cockroach.
“There are days when he’s left alone for up to ten hours, and he takes it completely in his stride. He snoozes throughout the day and only really wakes up about an hour before we get home.”
“On weekends, we’ve taken him to pubs or cafés, and he will happily lie on his mat. We’ve even managed a couple of weekends away with him, including a trip to Margaret River where he joined us on a day tour of the wineries.”
Myth #3: Greyhounds only suit very specific households
If there’s a common thread running through every greyhound owner’s story, it’s surprise.
Surprise at how quickly they adapt to home life. Surprise at how little exercise they actually need. And surprise at just how naturally they become part of the household.
Throughout June, Greyhounds As Pets WA has reduced adoption fees from $200.00 to $75.00 for approved applicants who submit an application during June and take home a dog before Friday, July 31st.
There are greyhounds currently available and ready to transition into pet life, so if you’ve been considering adding a dog to your household, now might be the perfect time to discover why it’s love at first roach for so many owners.
As Yvonne says, “Any doubts you may have will be rewarded ten-fold with the love and affection a greyhound will give you.”
To explore available dogs or submit an application, visit: greyhoundsaspets.com.au
