Greyhounds do not know how to defend themselves except by flight and will often "freeze" if attacked. They are the fastest dog in the world. Occasionally, we have also received older females, 7 – 8 years of age, that were used for breeding stock. When studying form all regular 'race-goers' will pay particular attention to the 'breeding lines' of all competing greyhounds and should always note when a former 'top class bitch' has produced offspring to a 'classic winning sire'. In fact, a racing Greyhound needs careful medical attention to ensure it is always at optimum health to get a guarantee of peak performance. Racing greyhounds can be bought directly from registered owners. GREYHOUNDS. How big is a Greyhound? How long does a Greyhound race? The greyhounds who do make it to the track are put at significant risk of sustaining serious injuries, such as broken hocks or legs, or head trauma, during training and racing. During the summer months, the dog’s day will start at 5:00 or 5:30 AM to try and beat the heat as much as possible. Greyhounds are used to traveling and adapt quickly to riding in cars. It is through the generosity of our donors and volunteers that we are able to find homes for as many retired racing greyhounds as possible. There are are couple of behaviors that they both exhibit that make me think they remember their younger days. My uncle used to race Greyhounds and when he gave up the kennels he kept his remaining dogs as pets,sadly the last two have both gone now but Rosie was 15 and Ron was 14.Both went downhill very quick and within 4 weeks of eachother. Some greyhounds do not qualify for racing after initial training. Always walk your Greyhound on his leash and keep him close to you during the walk. They know other Greyhounds but may be perplexed, frightened, or simply ignore other breeds. All greyhounds less than 24 months old are classified as puppies and will at approximately 12 months old be introduced to the idea of racing, after initial schooling trials most juvenile dogs that achieve a 'grading in time' will make their race debuts between 15 - 18 months of age. During a 30 second race, a Greyhound circulates its entire blood volume four to five times. The Greyhound, though, is a unique sighthound developed more for track racing than for hunting. DO walk your greyhound in the early morning or evening. There are two types, which vary somewhat in size: Racing Greyhounds are usually 25 to 29 inches tall, and show Greyhounds are slightly larger, at 26 to 30 inches in height. How long do Greyhounds live? The Greyhound’s heart can beat five times per second during a race. Greyhounds usually race about twice a week in either a sprint race (usually about 550 yards), or a distance race in which the distance can vary depending on the track. If she's a race bitch, you can keep her in work and race her if you wish. Greyhounds are sight hounds. If you are looking to back a dog over a long distance, such as a marathon race, experienced dogs, usually over three or even four years, are a more sensible choice. How big do greyhounds get? Male greyhounds generally stand 26 to 34 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh between 65 and 85 pounds. They do not know cats. DO work your adult greyhound for 1.5km-3km for the first few weeks and work them up to 4km-8km over time. I suspect so. They do well in families with children, as long as the children are taught to treat the dog properly with politeness and appropriate respect. The rest are typically retired from racing by 3 – 4 years of age. If they start to limp or look uncomfortable, check to see if there are any objects stuck in between the pads of their paws. How old are retired racing greyhounds and how long do they live? by Clifton Gray. 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