Frequently Asked Questions
Adoption process
How long is the adoption process?
We generally say an average of anywhere between 1-3 months, however this can vary depending on different factors - for example, if you have small dogs and children.
It will also depend on the dogs we have in the kennel - dogs that are more straightforward will typically find homes more quickly, whereas those that are more complex in their behaviour can take longer to home. The adoption process is also influenced by when we get new arrivals at the kennels.
How much does it cost?
The adoption fee is a minimum of £190, and this includes:
Four weeks’ free pet insurance
A leather collar and lead
Vaccinations up to date
Flea and worming up to date
Muzzle
There will be others things you will need, such as a bed, harness, toys etc but you can budget for this as you wish.
Homing environment
Do you home to families with children?
Yes - we home to families with young children and teenagers as we believe it’s all about finding the right dog to pair with you and your lifestyle. It may just take slightly longer to find a suitable match.
Do you home to people that live in a flat?
Yes - we home to people in flats that have a garden, a communal garden or no garden at all. Again, it’s all about finding the right dog to live in this space. The thing to remember is that if you don’t have a garden or enclosed secure space you will have to take your dog to the toilet on a lead - even in the pouring rain!
Do you home to people that already have other dogs?
Yes - we home to people who already have dogs - again it’s about finding the right match for you.
We won’t just home any dog to you if you have another dog, especially if it is a small dog. We test each greyhound’s behaviour around other dogs - including medium-sized and small breeds - before they go up for adoption.
Greyhound behaviour and needs
Is there much difference in characteristics between male and female greyhounds?
There isn’t typically much difference between male and female - females tend to be smaller, but you can get some big females and small males.
In terms of their personality, they all have such different personalities so it’s really best to see a mixture of them all to make your decision.
How much exercise do greyhounds need?
Despite what most people think, greyhounds don’t need a huge amount of exercise - generally, around two 20-minute walks a day will suit most greyhounds fine.
They use their energy in short bursts - like a sprinter rather than a marathon runner. This doesn’t mean they won’t be able to go on a four-mile walk on the weekend, for example - they would just need building up to this.
Can you let a greyhound off the lead?
Greyhounds are like any other sighthound which means they are fast and have a built-in instinct which makes them want to chase - especially with those that have raced and trained to run around a track after a lure.
Any dog that goes off the lead shouldn’t be off the lead until they have great recall. The problem with greyhounds is you may have perfect recall in an enclosed field, however when you throw other dogs/distractions into the mix this can go wrong, as their prey drive can sometimes override the want/need to come back to you.
People also believe they need to run free due to being a ‘running dog’ - but it’s important to remember that they use up their energy in one go, so if you go on a walk and let them off lead, you will have to go back to the car within 10 minutes as they will be exhausted.
You can hire enclosed fields now for 50 minutes to let them run free in a secure environment with just yourselves so that you don’t have a fear of them running away or chasing after something they shouldn’t.
What bed will my greyhound need?
We would always advise against starting out with an expensive bed, as you won’t know at that stage what the dog will like and whether they will want to curl up, spread out or live on the sofa!
So we suggest starting off with an old duvet/quilt or blankets and making them a little rest area that they can re arrange - this is a simple and cheap way to test what they like while you work on their training.
What questions should you be asking?
A lot of people ask us what questions they should be asking or what information they should know before adopting a greyhound. We’ve compiled some useful questions that people regularly ask and information we will tell them when adopting:
Can you afford the upkeep of the dog, including vet bills, insurance and food?
Getting any dog isn’t a quick process or an easy decision - make sure you have done your research about greyhounds and the cost of things.
This helps you know what you are looking for when you get to the rehoming centre to ensure that everyone’s time is well-spent.
Are you looking at dogs at different rehoming centres?
If you are looking at dogs at different centres, be open and honest with both centres that this is the case, as the centres dedicate valuable time to showing the dogs to prospective adopters.
Key questions to ask…
In the excitement of it all when viewing dogs and inevitably falling in love, it is easy to forget to ask vital questions such as:
What is their history - have they been in a home before, or even more than once? Why did they come back?
What assessments have been done at the kennels?
Do they share a kennel with another dog? This one is important in that you may want to get a companion for them in future or are looking to adopt so you have a friend for a dog already in the home.
If the dog is kennelled on its own, is this because they like their own personal space? Do they guard the bed, or is it simply that there isn’t currently a suitable partner for them?
Does the dog have any pre-existing medical conditions or injuries?
Do they have any allergies or intolerances?
Do they have any likes, dislikes or are they afraid of anything? This may seem like a bit of a silly question. However some dogs won’t like certain things such as their ears being touched, leaning over them - tiny things you may not think of.
How much exercise are they currently used to and what do they need in the home?
Why is this dog suitable for us? This one is important! A lot of rescue and rehoming centres will let you view dogs generally, often showing you several in the hope that you chose one, and don’t necessarily have a ‘matching’ process. However, not every dog is suitable for every home - make sure to ask the staff’s opinion as to why the dog they are showing you is appropriate for your specific home situation.
Make sure to ask questions, consider all aspects of what it will be like to introduce the dog into your home and what ongoing training or arrangements you will need in place.
Can I reserve more than one dog?
At the kennels if you narrow the choice down between two dogs, you can partially reserve them both whilst you go away and have a chat about which one would be a better fit.
Once you have chosen, we ask you to let us know within two days, then the dog you choose will be fully reserved for you and no one else will be able to see them.
Take your time…
Taking home a new family member is as exciting as it is terrifying, but what you don’t want is to have to return the dog to the rehoming centre because you dived in too quickly.
Don’t get carried away on the day and jump into things that may not work out, but also be sure to tell the centre if you aren’t sure on the dogs you have seen, as they may have others that suit yours needs more.
However, if you don’t express your opinions on the dogs you have seen the team will be unsure - we also try not to show you too many dogs, as this can be overwhelming!