The First Night
A gentle guide to introducing your hound to your home.
Taking things slowly
Bringing a sighthound into your home is a heartwarming experience, but it's essential to remember that this is a significant transition for your new companion. Many sighthounds, especially ex-racers, have never lived in a home environment. Here's how to make their first night as comfortable and stress-free as possible.
Preparing Your Home
Create a Safe Space:
Designate a quiet corner or room where your hound can retreat. Equip it with a comfortable bed, some toys, and perhaps a crate with the door open. This space serves as their sanctuary, helping them feel secure amidst unfamiliar surroundings.
Dog-Proof the Area:
Remove any items that could be harmful or tempting to chew. Think electrical cords, small objects, and food within reach. Remember, curiosity can lead to mischief!
Top Tip:
Use baby gates to limit access to certain areas, gradually expanding their territory as they become more comfortable.
Preparing the Family
Set Expectations:
Inform all household members about the importance of a calm environment. Loud noises, sudden movements, or overwhelming attention can be distressing for your new hound.
Educate on Interaction:
Teach children to approach gently, avoid hugging, and let the dog come to them. Respecting the dog's space is crucial in building trust.
Top Tip:
Establish a family routine for feeding, walks, and playtime to provide consistency and security.
Arrival Checklist
Before your hound steps paw into your home, ensure you have:
Food (preferably what they're used to as it avoids tummy upsets)
Food and water bowls (raised if possible)
Collar with ID tag
Leash or harness
Comfortable bed and blankets
A toy or two (most hounds don’t know what they are)
Coat (many rescues provide one)
Top Tip:
Some charities offer starter packs; always check what’s included and return any borrowed items when you're done. It means they can help the next hound in need.
Introducing the Home
Guided Tour:
Keep your hound on a lead and walk them through the house, allowing them to sniff and explore each room. This helps them have a nosy without feeling overwhelmed.
Highlight Key Areas:
Show them where they'll eat, sleep, and go outside. Familiarity with these spots can ease anxiety.
Top Tip:
Be patient. If they seem hesitant or scared, give them time and space to adjust at their own pace.
Toilet Training
Frequent Breaks:
Take your hound outside hourly, especially after meals and naps. Praise them when they go to reinforce positive behaviour.
Accidents Happen:
Expect some indoor mishaps. Clean them without fuss and avoid punishment, which can cause confusion.
Top Tip:
Use the same door and area for potty breaks to establish a routine.
Communication and Overwhelm
Language Barrier:
Remember, your hound may not understand commands or their new name immediately. Use consistent, gentle cues and be patient.
Body Language:
Pay attention to their signals. Signs of stress include yawning, pacing, or avoiding eye contact.
Understanding Their Past:
Your hound may have come from a racing background or experienced neglect. They're adapting to a completely new world.
Give Them Time:
Don't expect immediate affection or obedience. Building trust takes time and patience.
Top Tip:
Think of this period as a decompression phase. Allow your hound to adjust without pressure.
Settling in for the Night
Sleeping Arrangements:
Place their bed in a quiet, draft-free area. Some hounds may prefer to sleep near you initially for reassurance. Some might cry overnight - that’s normal. Remember that they’re new to your home and don’t quite understand what is going on.
Nighttime Routine:
Keep the evening calm. Avoid stimulating activities and provide a chew toy to help them relax.
Top Tip:
Playing soft music or white noise can mask unfamiliar sounds and soothe your hound to sleep.
Remember, every hound is unique. Some may adjust quickly, while others need more time. The key is patience, understanding, and lots of love. Welcome to the wonderful world of sighthound companionship!
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Nope. Greyhounds and many other sighthounds are world-class sprinters, not marathon runners. They're more ‘one zoomie, three naps’ than ‘hike every hill in Ireland’. Most are perfectly happy with a couple of short walks a day, and the occasional burst of dramatic galloping.
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They're actually the best house dogs. Even better in apartments as they won’t need to bother with the stairs! Quiet, clean, polite, and unnervingly good at doing nothing at all. Greyhounds in particular were practically designed for domestic life: minimal shedding, rarely bark, and they somehow take up all of the sofa with just one leg.
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It depends. Some sighthounds have a strong prey drive (especially if they’ve been encouraged to chase in training), but many can live happily with cats, small dogs, and even rabbits, with proper introductions and patience. It’s not a no, it’s a let’s see.
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Bless. These dogs are basically skin, bone, and drama. Without much body fat or a thick coat, sighthounds hate the cold and will 100% judge you if they’re not wearing a fleece. Or two. Unless, of course, they’re mixed with a hardy breed such as a terrier or collie. Get to know your dog and then make a decision.
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Oh, they’re clever. Selective, stubborn, and sometimes too clever. These dogs just don’t see the point in doing things that aren’t fun, comfortable, or treat-related. They’re problem-solvers, especially when the problem is: how can I get that snack without moving too much?
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Nope. While many greyhounds in Ireland and the UK are bred for racing, there are also non-racing greyhounds, lurchers (sighthound mixes), and whippets who’ve never set paw on a track. Each one’s story is different, but they all deserve soft landings and a lifetime of cuddles (at a time of place of their choosing, of course).
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The racing industry loves what these dogs can do, not who they are. Many are discarded once they’re no longer fast enough. Injuries, abandonment, and neglect are heartbreakingly common. That’s why we’re here: to give them a future beyond the finish line.
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Send us your favourite sighthound myth via the Contact Page, and we’ll add it to the list (with a side of sass).
What people think they know about sighthounds… and what’s actually true.
Myths & Misconceptions
The Sighthound Superpowers
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Speed
A greyhound can hit 45mph in a few strides. Most of them, however, would prefer not to.
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Grace
Even at rest, they carry themselves with a kind of quiet elegance. Until they flop off the sofa mid-roach.
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Sleep
Greyhounds are fast. For about four minutes a day. The rest of the time, they are Olympic-level nappers.
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Lurchers
Depending on what your hound is crossed with, you’re either nodding here or disagreeing!
Types of Sighthounds
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Greyhound
The OG of the sighthound world. Greyhounds are elegant, affectionate and surprisingly lazy for a dog that can outpace a motorbike. Most rescue greyhounds come from the racing industry, so they’ve got their own quirks and care needs.
Don’t be surprised if they’re scared of stairs, cling to you like Velcro, or try to nap in the fridge. They’re weird, quirky but absolutely adorable.
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Lurcher
Not a breed, but a type. Lurchers are usually a cross between a sighthound (like a greyhound or whippet) and something else – often a terrier, collie or staffie. This makes them a bit of a lucky dip, in the best possible way.
They can be scruffier, more playful, and sometimes a bit more energetic than their greyhound cousins. Lurchers are common in rescue centres across the UK and Ireland and are just as charming (and just as capable of outrageous lounging).
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Whippets
Whippets are basically pocket-sized greyhounds with heaps of sassiness and Mariah levels of demands. Still speedy, still snuggly, just a bit smaller and often a bit more energetic.
Some whippets are more sensitive or vocal than greys, but many of the same quirks apply. Coats in winter. Soft beds. Strong prey drive. Zero concept of personal space. Might end up demanding more cuddles than they deserve.
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Salukis
The royal divas of the sighthound world. Salukis are graceful, gentle and often aloof. They’re stunning to look at, but not always the easiest to train or read.
If a greyhound is a sleepy uncle, a saluki is the slightly mysterious cousin who only visits when it suits them. Think Cleopatra crossed with Beyonce and a dash of madness.
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Italian Greyhound
Teeny tiny sighthounds that look like they’ve been drawn by a fashion illustrator after a few too many…erm. Italian greys (or Iggies), are dainty, delicate, charming and completely bonkers.
They’re also always cold and will try to climb in under your clothing or covers (depending where you might be). They need warmth, attention and an understanding of their diva energy.
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Borzoi, Wolfhound, Deerhound, Afghan and Co.
These are the giants (and glam-rockers) of the sighthound world. Less common in rescue, but no less enchanting.
Some have long flowing coats, some resemble deer in pyjamas, all share that same sighthound combination of grace, sensitivity and occasional goofiness.
Why We Say ‘Ex-Racer’ Instead of ‘Rescue’
We use the phrase ex-racer because it’s clear – it tells people where the dog came from and what they were bred to do. But make no mistake, our greyhounds are rescues.
Not all of them are formally “retired.” Many don’t get that far. Some never make it to the track at all. Others are discarded the moment they’re no longer useful. If they didn’t race or course, chances are they were used for underground racing, lamping, dog baiting, or simply passed between owners with no stability, structure or care.
In Ireland especially, many sighthounds are bred with no intention of ever seeing a licensed track. That doesn’t make their experience any less traumatic – or their need for rescue any less urgent.
So we say ex-racer for clarity. But we always mean rescue.
Because rescuing a greyhound isn’t about giving them a comfy retirement. It’s about giving them a second chance.