Greyhound Care Guide (Australia)

Last updated: 2026-07-17

Greyhounds are sprint hunters — blindingly fast in short bursts, but famously "couch potatoes" at home, needing only moderate exercise and plenty of rest. Australia's Greyhound Adoption Program (GAP) has made adult Greyhounds a popular adoption choice: most come already basic-trained, calm and quiet, and well suited to apartment life.

Puppy (0–12 months)

• Puppies from a breeder are usually picked up from 8 weeks — book a first vet check to confirm vaccination and worming. If adopting a retired racer through GAP, the adult dog will typically already be vaccinated and desexed; the focus is an intake health check and settling-in period.
• Standard Australian puppy vaccination starts with C3; most vets recommend C5. First shot at 6–8 weeks, boosters every 4 weeks to around 16 weeks.
• Microchipping and council registration are legal requirements in every state; some states used to require Greyhounds to be muzzled in public, but this has been relaxed in several states in recent years — check your local council or state regulations for the current rule.
• Choose a medium/large-breed puppy formula, feeding to the pack guide and adjusting for condition — Greyhounds naturally run lean, so don't over-restrict food.
• Transition to new food over 7–10 days.
• Greyhounds have thin skin and a low fat layer, making them more sensitive to temperature and nutrition — aim for healthy condition rather than "lean" as a goal in itself.
• 8–16 weeks is the socialisation window — Greyhounds tend to be gentle and sensitive, so favour positive reinforcement and avoid high-pressure training methods.
• Prey drive is strong in this breed — small animals (cats, rabbits) can trigger a chase response, so recall and a "leave it" cue are important; keep them leashed during early outdoor outings.
• Retired racers are usually already leash- and command-trained, but household features like stairs, glass doors and flooring other than carpet may be unfamiliar and take some adjustment.

Adult (1–7 years)

• One moderate-intensity sprint plus a daily walk is enough — Greyhounds don't need prolonged high-intensity exercise and settle quickly after a burst of speed.
• Low body fat means Greyhounds feel the cold — a dog coat is worth it for outdoor activity in cooler weather.
• Feed to body condition.
• Common health risks: dental disease (periodontal issues are common in the breed — regular dental care matters), thin skin that cuts and tears easily, and anaesthetic sensitivity (low body fat changes how the liver metabolises certain anaesthetics differently from other breeds — always tell your vet the breed before any surgery to confirm a Greyhound-safe anaesthetic protocol).
• Coastal and bush areas need year-round paralysis-tick prevention.

Senior (7+ years)

• Switch to a senior formula and reduce calories to suit condition; discuss joint support with your vet.
• Annual or twice-yearly checks, focused on teeth, arthritis and heart function; retired racers may show joint wear earlier due to their racing years.
• Shift towards shorter walks, with warmth becoming even more important in old age.

Australia notes

• Adopting a retired racer through your state's GAP (Greyhound Adoption Program) is the most common way to get a Greyhound in Australia — the process usually includes a temperament assessment and training records.
• Several states have removed mandatory public muzzling for Greyhounds in recent years, but the rules vary by state — check your council's or state agriculture department's website before heading out.