Hector’s Greyhound Rescue don’t often rehome greyhounds with families that have young children. However, if the family has previous experience in owning sighthounds and the child has grown up around them, then we are willing to discuss whether we have any suitable sighthounds for rehoming.
All of our rescued greyhounds are profiled by Hector's and this means that we are able to work with you to find the right dog for you.
Every Hector’s hound is rehomed subject to a home check, carried out by one of our dedicated volunteers. Hector’s volunteers need to ensure that you can provide a safe and secure home environment, to make certain that you can meet the dog’s basic needs.
Greyhounds have a reputation for having high energy-levels but most owners will tell you their favourite activity is sleeping! They are known worldwide for being 45mph couch potatoes; typically, only being active for a few hours every day. They are a very tolerant, non-aggressive breed that -with supervision from an adult- will allow children to handle them in a variety of ways.
Most retired greyhounds have come straight off the track without ever coming into contact with children before, they can adjust well providing both parties are supported to learn how to play and interact with one another. Greyhounds are very laid-back characters but can be sensitive to touch, in those first few months they may struggle to make the transition from a working dog to family pet when small children try to express their affection by hugging or clinging. Due to their love of rest and relaxation, greyhounds can be very aloof creatures and lack interest in the kind of play and interaction that a young child may seek in a family pet, they don’t have the body fat or a thick coat that allows them to enjoy rough play like other breeds. Greyhounds are more likely to walk away from a teasing child than to snap at them, but they have their limits and -like any dog- could potentially growl, bark or snap if they have endured an overwhelming amount of attention.
Greyhounds are classed as large-breed dogs and are significantly bigger than small children. Though not commonly known for being hyperactive or boisterous, when greyhounds become excited, they can be very fast, prey-driven and extremely strong. Racing greyhounds were taught (since they were puppies) to chase small furry things. This means you may have to look out for small dogs walking off their lead and be aware that the sighting of a squirrel or a cat may result in a moderate amount of excitement -and pulling- when out walking. Now would be a good point to mention that they are the second fastest accelerating land animal on the planet, second to the cheetah. There will be times when you get a glimpse of that 0-45mph in the house when they hear food being prepared or their leads coming out, or a loved one pull up outside and they won’t think twice about barging past anyone in their way.
Greyhounds really are a unique breed, to anyone thinking of adopting one there is a huge greyhound community -worldwide- that would happily talk about how wonderful they are as pets despite any posed risks. Providing young children -with the help of their parents- follow guidance on how best to behave around these magnificent creatures, most hounds will completely win the hearts of the whole family. A greyhound is no more of a danger to a minor than any dog taken in to be a family pet, they just need time and space to adjust to their new lives.