Frequently Asked Questions

  • $380.

    Your Greyhound will come with a new collar, lead and muzzle. If they have acquired a favourite toy and/or blanket – this will join them on their new adventure!

    You will also get an adoption pack containing their vet book, a Raw Essentials voucher and a FurBaby Treat Bag.

    Your Greyhound also comes having had a full health check. This includes being desexed, have had a dental, and be fully vaccinated. Have peace of mind they will be added to the companion animal register (microchip database for pets) too.

    This cost includes GST.

  • This gives the Greyhound time to adjust to pet life after living in a racing kennel environment. It provides us information about how they behave in a home situation, crucial for building their adoption profile.

    • Alpha 1

    • Doggone Attitude (Training and walking groups)

    • K9 Fundamentals (Training and Greyhound specific courses)

    • Positive Paws (Training)

    • Confident Canines Dog Training

    • Clevedon Canines (Walks & House Visits)

    • Takanini Veterinary Associates (North Island Based)

    • Vetora Cambridge (North Island Based)

    • Cambridge Vets (North Island Based)

    • Kohimarama Veterinary Clinic (North Island Based)

    • NZ Veterinary Dentistry Hamilton (North Island Based)

    • Steve McGill (Greyhound Specialist Matamata) (North Island Based)

    • Shirley Veterinary Clinic (South Island Based)

  • As Deb Edlin puts it - They are a must have in the Greyhound toolbox. So why are they necessary? Because they reduce the risk of harm. All harm.

    • They prevent skin tears between greys in play. Greys are thin skinned. Tears can range from a small nick, to a large tear requiring aesthetic, sutures, drains, and pain meds. They must be worn by dogs when racing. And they are worn by multiple dogs in yards.

    • They prevent a dog from latching on in any situation. Especially useful for all dogs in an off leash scenario, i.e. at the beach, dog park, or any situation where control is limited.

    • They prevent dogs from eating unwanted items they may encounter on walks, or when free ranging. Dogs will eat all manner of things, from fresh poop, to carcasses that have been baited. This behaviour is dangerous. Dogs die.

    • Children and strangers, both a proverbial pain. Three quarters of New Zealand households do not have a dog. That's a very high number of Kiwi's without dog knowledge. Sadly, their behaviour can cause them to be bitten. Biting a human is a serious event. A muzzle protects your dog from possible death, and any possible victim from harm.

    • They are a necessity when dealing with a dog in pain. A muzzle prevents a dog from biting you when you are treating an injury, or investigating an illness, or moving an injured dog.

    • Scary muzzles can reduce the number of unwanted encounters on walks. If you don't want company, this is an option.

    • In the event of an eminent attack by an un-muzzled dog, whip your dog's muzzle off as soon as you believe a situation is about to go south. It might not eventuate, but if it does, your dog at least has a fighting chance. A deterrent such as an umbrella, air horn or rape whistle/siren can help defuse potential situations.

    • Useful in preventing a dog from licking a wound or suture site.

    • Greyhounds can breathe and drink while wearing a muzzle.

    • Complacency kills.

  • Thanks to Deb Edlin for this advice:

    “My Greyhound hates the crate” - I hear this statement often, but, do they really? If you didn't already know this, all racing greys are crated when travelling, crated while waiting to race, most live in kennels during their careers. They are also crated when visiting vet clinics. They are crated in foster. Crates have always been part of their lives. Crates are about safety and security.

    Crate behaviour is often misunderstood. There are those who believe crating is cruel, and will never entertain the thought that a crate is of any benefit to the grey they have just adopted. Other owners allow themselves to be played. Greys are extremely intuitive, they know exactly which buttons to push to get what they want, when they want it. Of course they would rather be out than in. Your job as a mum and dad, is to lead.

    Crates are a great tool when used correctly:

    • Observation: It allows your dog to observe their new family and surrounding environment, in safety. Gives your dog time to form an opinion without pressure.

    • Visitors: Can be viewed as a threat, especially when they are accompanied by children, large or small. A child's behaviour and noise levels can cause heightened responses in all dogs, greys no exception. If a child has no experience with dogs, a situation can quickly turn dangerous.

    You are responsible for your dog at all times, crating allows your dog to still remain in an environment in safety.

    • Travelling: Again, safety with minimal restriction. Crates should be secured, just like car seats. In an accident, they will move. You may opt for a harness, all good, but they are not that comfortable on long trips.

    • Portability: Portable crates can travel with you, to work, on holiday, sleepovers with friends. They can be taken to a sitter’s home. This means you don't have to leave your dog or pay for others to care for your dog when you are away.

    • Unsupervised separation: There are times when you will have to leave your dog alone. Short trip to the shops, hairdresser appointment, etc. Knowing your dog is safe inside the crate, gives you piece of mind, and prevents your dog from causing damage to your home when left alone.

    • Sleep: For those who don't want a dog sleeping on your bed at night, a crate allows the dog to sleep near you while separated.

    • Storms and fireworks: Crates are great tools. Cover the crate with lots of duvets to dull the noise, and flashes. Play music. Use calming products. Place a distraction in the crate, a toy, peanut butter Kong, a bone for example. Keep the crate close to you.

    • Injury and Illness: You have just spent money at the vet to fix your dog. The vet said in his best vet voice, "Now this is important! When you get home, keep your dog calm/quiet, restrict movement to on lead toileting, ONLY!" NO, NO, NO! That doesn't mean just don't let your dog outside or let your dog jump on and off the couch.

    You need to crate. Your dog needs to rest to recover. Letting your dog wander around your home slows the process. It can reverse the process. When you crate you decrease the risk of broken stitches, internal bleeding, re-setting bones, etc. That's more treatment, more money, prolonged pain, and one pissed off vet.

    • Asset: That is what a crate is. Used correctly it is a Godsend. It literally saves lives. It is not a punishment! It's a friend.

    Don't treat to get the dog in. Put the dog in and leave. Treat and praise when the dog is calm, quiet, and laying down, that's the behaviour you want to achieve. Reward that behaviour every 15 minutes. After an hour, release the dog and give full praise with no treats. Repeat this process often, lengthening the time between treating.

    If you treat to get the dog in, the dog will associate that with the action. If he whines and you let him out, same thing. You set yourself up to fail. It can take two weeks to crate train, but it will happen.

    • Be a leader! Your dog’s life depends on you. Not the vet, the visitor, the dogs walking, the kid next door. Just you.

  • Upon your adoption you will receive a 'starter pack' which will include some foods your Greyhound has already been fed, and loves! This starter pack may contain:

    • CopRice (Working Dog Beef) available at HR Fisken’s.

    • MightyMix (Frozen Concentrate)

    • Possyum (Dog Roll)

    • Raw Essentials (Discount voucher)

    Head to our “What We Do - Adoption” page to read more about the feeding options Greyhounds thrive on.

    • MightyMix do a green-lipped mussel tonic (powder) for those after an addition to your Greyhounds meals.

    • Olives Kitchen do a 'Doggy Daily' super food supplement, to improve gut health amongst other things.

    • Floofin'Fabulous can provide your Greyhound with the ultimate massage experience.

    • Canine Healing Hands massage and laser treatments can help with post operative care for a speedy recovery.

    • Essential Enrichment will cover all things needed for your newest family member’s mental wellbeing.

    • Fur Love for all your Greyhound pampering products.

    • Our May Hounds online store can offer a range of items. From collars in an assortment of colours, to t-shirts for both us hoomans and Greyhounds. You can also find the millers muzzle and adorable Greyhound keepsakes.

    • Caff10 have a beautiful range of handcrafted clothing, coats and collars to tell your Greyhound apart from the rest.

    • Premium Petware offer a wide range of items to spoil your Greyhound with.

    • Bathing depends on your activity level. If your Greyhound loves the outdoors, and finds themselves making a bit of a mess, you may need to wash when required. If they need a bath and you are set up to do so at home - get yourself some dog friendly shampoo, or nip down to your local Animates to use their DIY Dog Wash. Otherwise for those couch potatoes you may wish to wash every 6-8 weeks. For any in-between clean ups needed - FurLove offer great no wash products.

    • We do recommend having nail clippers or a dremel at home for those nails that get just a little too long, or every 2 weeks. Again this does depend on if your greyhound prefers pavement or grass walking.

    • Brushing your Greyhound is a great bonding opportunity, as it will strengthen your relationship and promote general wellbeing and blood flow stimulation. Equip yourself with a brush or even a hand mitt to do this daily or even weekly.

    • If your Greyhound can handle teeth brushing we recommend once or twice a week.
      - Animates sell dog-friendly toothpaste.
      - Try C.E.T or Prozym toothpaste.
      - ProDen Plaque Off
      - Maxiguard Gel
      - Oral Chews (eg Greenies, Veggie Dents, venison tendons etc.)
      - Bones (weekly) Ensure raw/uncooked. When buying a toothbrush we recommend a soft option from the supermarket.

    • Visit the GreatMates website to get the background on Greyhounds.

    • Susan Garrett Training (Online)

    • Spirit Dog Training (Online)

    • Facebook Groups
      - Greyhound Health Repository
      - Canine Arthritis Management

    • Greyhound for Dummies by Lee Livingood

    • Canine Body Language: A Photographic Guide Interpreting the Native Language of the Domestic Dog written by Brenda Aloff is available on Amazon.

  • Absolutely! The below Facebook groups provide educational information as well as joining the greater Greyhound community.

    • Canine NeuroPark in Christchurch offers a sensory enrichment paradise. Designed to safely allow your Greyhound to explore and blossom, this park can be rented and all proceeds go towards helping canine rehoming charities.

    • Follow our Facebook page to see where our next monthly walk will be held.

  • The below link is a good visual guide on introducing your Greyhound to a cat. You can use this in conjunction with the small animal training guide that is supplied with your adoption pack. Please note, we highly recommend the use of a muzzle. Remember to take it slow, as each Greyhound and cat will adapt to each other differently.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f101gwCdiWU

  • Absolutely not!

    When asked this question while attending any events, we tend to have role model who we laugh and point at. Greyhounds are loungers – giant cats who prefer to sleep all day. Ideal apartment dogs, they really don’t need much space. A plump bed, or a comfortable couch and you’ve got yourself a happy dog!

    In terms of exercise, a walk around the block, or up and down your street may be sufficient for your Greyhound. Or if you are wanting a decent stroll or hike, give time for them to build stamina and then you have an exercising companion!