What is the Right Age Greyhound For You?

Adopting a puppy of any breed is often thought of as a great way to get a dog that is more or less a ‘clean slate’, and you can instil good habits early on.

However, getting a puppy is a huge responsibility, and in today's busy world, it's very difficult to find the time and resources to conduct the kind of appropriate socialisation and exposure to set your dog up to be a happy and emotionally resilient adult.

So, in that way, adopting an adult greyhound can be a lot easier because you do not have to deal with that early puppyhood and the pressure of needing to set up a strict socialisation and exposure schedule.

Let’s explore the topic further.

While puppies tend to be more energetic than adult greyhounds, they don't necessarily require long walks. Instead, they may exhibit shorter yet more intense bursts of energy. Long walks can also be detrimental to the growth of young puppies as their bones and connective tissues are still developing.

As they are still in the learning process, puppies display a wider range of behavior than adult dogs. This includes social behavior towards other dogs and people, which may be less refined than that of adult greyhounds.

Overall, puppies are more curious and exploratory in their behavior.

After the adolescence stage, there will be little difference in behaviour between young and old greyhounds.

As mentioned, puppies tend to be more exploratory and exhibit a wider range of behaviours than adult dogs.

Additionally, since they are not yet accustomed to your daily routine and lifestyle, you may encounter frustrating behaviors such as indoor toileting.

Overall, the main differences in behaviour between adult and puppy greyhounds are their energy levels, socialisation, and overall maturity and predictability.

The Greyhound's Pets Program ensures that all greyhounds, regardless of age, undergo health checks, and receive appropriate treatment, such as joint or dental support.

Age does not determine the level of care provided, as a dog's health can vary significantly.

Contrary to popular belief, older dogs are not inherently less healthy than younger ones. Each dog's health status depends on their individual circumstances.

When you apply to adopt a greyhound, we will ask questions to match your preferences with a greyhound that will work well with your lifestyle, and vice versa 🙂

Socialisation is a crucial developmental process that occurs during early puppyhood. It involves the puppy learning how to appropriately interact with other dogs, other species, and people.

While adults can also engage in social interaction, it is not considered socialisation in a scientific sense. During socialisation, even just a few experiences meeting other dogs or encountering new environments can significantly shape a dog's lifelong emotional associations with particular stimuli or objects.

In contrast, for adult dogs, the socialisation process has already occurred. As a result, they generally have a well-formed understanding of their comfort level with certain things or situations. However, adult dogs that have not been exposed to much during their early life may be more fearful of new things than a puppy that has been exposed to a range of environments and social interactions.

Although it is possible to change an adult dog's behaviour or emotional associations, it often requires more effort than what would typically be needed for a younger dog.

Not necessarily.

While senior dogs may require more joint support and specialised diets or supplements, these needs are not vastly different from those of an average adult dog.

Senior greyhounds may have lower energy levels and prefer shorter walks instead of one long walk, but this varies depending on the individual dog and its health status. It's essential to consult with a veterinarian during annual health check-ups to ensure that the dog's unique needs are met.

At our adoption appointments, we provide adopters with a comprehensive understanding of the specific greyhound's needs, as well as any findings from our treating veterinarians during the dog's examination.

We also have a plethora of digital resources that offer guidance on how to care for greyhounds of all ages.

Regardless of age, once you adopt a dog from us, we are committed to providing you with as much behavioural or general support as you require.

We are happy to offer you all the information and resources you need to assist you in caring for your new best mate. Our goal is to ensure that anyone who adopts a greyhound is well-prepared to care for their specific needs.