Tuesday, June 24, 2025

I Adopted a Greyhound Expecting Zoomies — But Got a Couch Potato with Long Legs

 


I thought I was adopting a racehorse in a fur coat.
A lean, lightning-fast machine bred to tear across fields with elegance and thunder.

What I got was… a long-legged loaf who sleeps 18 hours a day and sighs dramatically when asked to move.

Let’s just say:
Greyhounds are not what you think they are.

If you’ve ever scrolled past those “retired racer needs a home” posts and thought, “Too much energy for me!” — keep reading.
You might be in for the laziest surprise of your life.


🏁 First Off: Yes, They’re Built for Speed — But Only in Short Bursts

Greyhounds are known as the cheetahs of the dog world.
And they are fast — like 45mph fast.
But here’s the twist:

They don’t want to run. They want to sprint… and then sleep for 23.5 hours.

They were bred to chase a fake bunny around a track, not train for marathons.
So when the race is over — so is their motivation.


🛋️ Daily Life with a Greyhound: Nap. Stretch. Repeat.

Here’s what a typical day looks like with my greyhound, Luna:

  • 7:30 AM — Wakes up, pees, eats, goes back to bed

  • 10:00 AM — Mid-morning sunbathe (but only if the bed is in the sunlight)

  • 2:00 PM — Gets up, walks 10 minutes, acts like we just climbed Everest

  • 4:00 PM — Zoomies in the backyard for 3 minutes straight

  • 4:04 PM — Collapses in dramatic fashion

  • 8:00 PM — Dinner

  • 9:00 PM — Sleeps on her back like a drunk yoga instructor

  • 3:00 AM — Brief walk to get water. Immediate return to snoozing

Yes, she has energy in short, hilarious bursts.
But mostly? She lives to lounge.


🧠 So Why Do People Think They’re High-Energy?

Because… racing.
Because they’re skinny and muscular.
Because they wear muzzles and people assume that means aggression or intensity.

But in reality?

  • They’re gentle

  • They’re quiet

  • They often don’t bark. Ever. (I’ve literally never heard Luna bark in 3 years.)

  • And they are terrifyingly chill indoors

Greyhounds are introverts with a strong nap ethic.

Women's Floral Print Sleeveless Halter Deep V Tie Mini Dress Ruched Backless Slim Fit Cami Dresses Knot Boho Dress


🏙️ Apartment Life? Greyhounds Say Yes

You’d think a tall, lanky former athlete wouldn’t fit in a small space.
But greyhounds are one of the most apartment-friendly big dogs out there.

Why?

  • They rarely jump

  • They rarely bark

  • They don't pace or dig or chew out of boredom

  • They basically morph into a pillow until you say “walk?”

You don’t need a yard.
You don’t need to run them like a Husky.
You just need to provide soft beds and short walks — and they’re yours for life.


🧩 But Here’s What New Owners Often Miss

They’re not lazy — they’re minimalists.
And like all dogs, they still need:

  • Daily walks (15–30 mins is fine)

  • Enrichment toys or sniffy outings

  • A calm, loving environment

Also — important heads up — retired racers may need adjustment time:

  • Stairs can be scary

  • Mirrors confuse them

  • They’ve often never been in a house before

  • They're used to crates, not couches (but they learn fast)

The good news? They’re eager to please and adapt beautifully — with patience.


❤️ Final Verdict: Are Greyhounds Lazy?

Yes. Beautifully, unapologetically, joyfully lazy.
But in the best way.

They are:

  • The perfect dog for chill humans

  • Loyal but not clingy

  • Athletic but not hyper

  • Sweet but not needy

  • Huge, graceful nap experts who love being part of the furniture

If you’re looking for a hiking buddy or high-drive working dog? This isn’t your breed.

But if you want a quiet soul who sprints like a rocket, then crashes like a sloth?
Welcome to the greyhound life.

No comments:

Post a Comment

The Hidden Truths About Dogs Nobody Warned Me About—And How They Completely Changed My Life

  I thought getting a dog would be simple. Cute photos, long walks, snuggles on the couch. I was wrong. Owning a dog is nothing like the I...