"Greyhounds are for life not just for Racing" is the motto of Greyhound Rescue. They are the ideal pet.

Over 40,000 Greyhounds are bred each year in the UK and Ireland. Thousands of greyhound puppies and youngsters are put to sleep because they do not make the grade. The average age for a working greyhound is 4 years. After that they are no longer wanted and they too are killed. The normal life expectancy would be 13 years. A few lucky ones are rescued and rehomed.

10 Reasons Why You Should Adopt a Greyhound.

1 They are always grateful to you for saving their life.

2 They look you in the eye when you talk to them.

3 They do not smell like a lot of dogs. Except when they fall in the canal like ours did.

4 They are very good natured.

5 They could qualify for MENSA. I do not think ours would. Or maybe he is not as daft as he seems. He has got us waiting on him hand foot and finger.

6 They do not slobber.

7 They do not shed a lot of hair. Ours obviously did not read the book.

8 They do not need a lot of exercise.

9 They need a lot of loving and give it in return.

10 They are bigger couch potatoes than you are.

10 Things to Remember as a New Greyhound Owner.

1 Give them plenty of time to learn.

2 Talk to them. They will understand your tone of voice.

3 do not be angry with them. They do not understand that they have done wrong.

4 Trust them.

5 They will not forget what you do to them so treat them well.

6 Check that you are giving them the right food. They have sensitive stomachs. It took us quite a while to get ours settled on a food for ours.

7 Make sure that their bed is in a place where they will feel safe. Maybe in a corner by you. Ours is on the biggest sofa!!

8 Never put them in kennels. It will be too traumatic for them and they will have bad memories. When we got our greyhound we had to sign to say that we would not put him in kennels.

9 When they get old they will need extra care. But then, you might as well.

10 Stay with them until the end. They will love you even more for that.

Before we got our greyhound we got a book on the breed. After we got him we realised he had not read the book. He has a lot of idiosyncrasies that are very endearing. If you are looking for a dog go for a rescue one. If you are looking for a dog that will be very rewarding then get a rescued greyhound. You will not regret it. If you cannot have a dog there are lots of charities who are looking for sponsored for their dogs. It will only cost a couple of pounds a month.