I am seriously considering adopting an adult Greyhound. It is imperative that the new dog be a great car companion.
Also, at 50 pounds for a small female (which is what I want) will hotels let it slide in as a 40 pounder? I noticed that that is a common size limitation.
Anyway... I am looking for any Fodorite that is a Greyhound owner that can share their experiences.
Thanks!

Is the adult dog a rescued dog -- pPerhaps one that was a race dog? If so, it may have an acquired fear of confined spaces as they tend to have been kept confined most of their lives. Had a friend that experienced this.

Just a thought...
Debi

Drat...meant to say that adopting an adult dog is a wonderful thing. Hope it works out for you.
Debi

My daughter has 2 rescued racing greys. They actually are comfortable in small spaces, crates etc, it is normal for them..Hers love to run but spend most of the time on the sofas .. real couch potatoes!
Pup weighs 50 lbs, he looks bigger, I usually ask hotels before hand, 25 is always the weight limit that we run into. So if it is 40, tell them she is 40- 10 lbs makes absolutely no difference in a greyhounds size in this instance.
The car companion part might be difficult if she has never been in a car. They are often moved in their crates to race tracks, but both of my daughters dogs get sick immediately after the car starts to move. Taking them to the vet is a real adventure!
Since I have been around them so much, I will tell you that I think they are the sweetest most gentle dogs when with those they love but they can be quite fierce and protective too.
Good luck...all the best to you and your new pup.

I would suggest talking very carefully to the people you are rescuing from. Ask them specifically about how the dog handles being crated and car travel. Most adoption agencies will be honest as they don't want the dog coming back.

As Scarlett mentioned, 40 lbs vs. 50 lbs isn't enough of a difference. And as greyhounds tend to be lanky, it's even easier to "drop 10 lbs" than with other breeds. Most hotels I've seen have a 25 lb limit. They usually only want small lap dogs and a greyhound won't fit that requirement, so make sure you have an alternative for taking the dog with you. If the rescue group is local to you, ask the foster home if they'd be willing to babysit for you on ocassion - many like the opportunity to see their shy foster dog blossom in its new home.

Remember La Quinta Hotels. They do not charge for dogs and there is no size limit. Pup traveled across the country last summer, staying only in the finest La Quintas LOL...and Kimpton Hotels also, if your pup has a trust fund

Ditto LQ. For deep pockets, you can't beat the Four Seasons. Many Starwood properties allow dogs.

Being near a major dog track, I've known probably a dozen people who have adopted adult Greyhounds -- yes, from the race track. Every one of them has raved about the experience and have indicated there was no problem from their "former" lives.

Thanks for the information.
I have waited 12 years to get a dog and I am approaching it with considerable caution.
I am researching so much I fear I am getting too much information.
Most of it is good but there is little about travel and just simple stuff like, are they smart? Do they like to play? It's like the web information focuses 90% on precaution and 10% on 'other'. It's all good but I am probably a little over concerned about extremes documented.
I have read countless websites, from all over the world.
Anyway... I am now going to start going to adoption events to meet dogs.
I am excited

They are very smart.
They are very docile.
They are very sweet.
They are great couch potatoes.
Obviously, they like to run - but most rescues I've heard of aren't big runners anymore - just big, lovable "lapdogs" if you'll let them be.
GREAT temperments.

Some hotel chains have a max on size.
LaQuintas and the $$$$ hotels don't.

They are crate trained and do like feeling secure in their crates. Most I've heard of travel well. All my dogs traveled very well - except a German shepard that had a bad case of motion sickness!

Research dog parks in your area. It would be great to be able to take them somewhere they can run off lead. My pups are only on leashes to go to the vet (yes, I know I am very lucky)

Congrats! Good choice!

starrs describes them well, lol, sweet docile couch potatoes.
Ours ( my grand-greyhounds) loll around, Baby likes to sleep on her back which is not the prettiest sight on a super large greyhound..The older they are, the longer they have been on the racing circuit, the less they know about "normal" things like windows, stairs, etc. And sadly, play. Some have never learned to play..
But take them to a dog park and get a thrill, watching them course across a field.
Goosebump time
They get sunburned, they get cold easily, they are boney and need soft beds, yours will do as will the sofa
It is best not to have a cat if you get a grey
And tell the neighbors cats to stay away too, unless they can climb trees very verrry fast ...
Good luck..

Take the "horror" stories you read with a grain of salt. It does happen, but it isn't that uncommon. The biggest reasons for them is because folks jump in without thinking and people trying to place the dogs don't spend enough time making a good match.

I did fostering for years and turned down more homes than I placed. Not because I didn't like the home, but because it didn't fit for the dog in question.

If you have any real hesitation with a particular dog, don't go through with the adoption - don't let them bully you into it.

You sound like the type of person I loved to see walk into the adoption site. You know what you want, you've researched, you know what "difficulties" you're likely to face (i.e., car travel).

Another trick is to find a copy of the American Kennel Club Breed Book. Read the description of the dog. Under "faults", you'll find temperament and health issues that are common for that breed (i.e., a shepherd fault is excessive shyness and nipping - many shepherds can be nervous nellies). The faults don't always happen, and many are avoidable, but it will show you what you should stay aware of (for shepherds, lots of socialization will avoid the nervous nelly behavior).

I've met several rescued greyhounds and they really are very sweet dogs - I don't think you'll have a problem with that. As Scarlett indicated, they don't always do well with cats... they're sight hounds (they hunt by sight rather than scent) and a running cat is to good to pass up.

toedtoes, my daughter has a Persian cat that rules the house and the dogs obey her ~lol~
But the neighbors cat learned early on not to step into the back yard when the dogs were out.
rabbit rabbit rabbit !