Adopting Ex-Racing Greyhounds: Athletes That Make Surprisingly Perfect Pets - Maritsa Inglessis

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Greyhound adoption might not be on your radar if you think retired racing dogs need endless exercise or won't settle into normal life. But what if the reality was completely different — and these gentle, intelligent souls made some of the easiest, most affectionate companions you could ask for? Maritsa Inglessis shares what it's really like to welcome ex-racing greyhounds into your home, from the moment they see a TV for the first time to learning that sofas are, in fact, the best place on earth.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

Why greyhounds are nicknamed "45 mile an hour couch potatoes" and how little exercise they actually need compared to what most people assume

What it looks like when a dog who spent their whole life in racing kennels steps into a home for the first time — stairs, washing machines, sofas and all

How greyhounds compare to other rescue dogs in temperament, intelligence and how quickly they adapt to the good life

Why their thin skin and low body fat mean they genuinely need coats in winter and careful temperature management in summer

What to know about their prey drive, especially around small fluffy dogs or cats, and how that plays out on walks

Why finding a vet experienced with greyhounds matters — their blood markers and physiology are different enough to cause confusion

Where to look if you're considering adopting a retired racer, and what kind of history you should ask for before bringing one home

A FAVOURITE MOMENT

"Howard took about one or two weeks to learn that he could actually get up onto the sofa and sit on it. Now he won't actually get off it." — Maritsa