Florida Greyhounds

Welcome to Florida Greyhounds

Connecting retired racing greyhounds with loving homes across the Sunshine State. Your resource for adoption, care, and greyhound heritage.

Special Needs DogsOwner's Manual
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Adopt a Greyhound

Give a retired racer the loving home they deserve. Learn about the adoption process and what to expect.

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Special Needs Dogs

Some greyhounds need extra care. Meet our special needs dogs and learn how you can help.

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Newsletter Archive

Read our historical newsletters to learn about Florida greyhound community news and events.

About Florida Greyhounds

Florida Greyhounds has long served as a dedicated resource for greyhound enthusiasts, adopters, and advocates across the Sunshine State. Whether you are considering bringing a retired racing greyhound into your home, researching Florida's greyhound racing heritage, or looking for guidance on caring for these elegant and gentle dogs, you have found the right place. Our mission has always been simple: connect retired greyhounds with loving families and provide the knowledge and support that both dogs and owners need to thrive together.

Understanding the Greyhound Breed

Greyhounds are one of the oldest dog breeds in recorded history, revered across millennia for their speed, grace, and surprisingly gentle temperament. Despite their reputation as racing dogs, greyhounds are remarkably calm and affectionate companions in the home environment. Often called the “45-mph couch potato,” the typical retired racing greyhound spends the vast majority of its day sleeping and relaxing beside its family.

They tend to be quiet, clean, and easy to live with. Greyhounds adapt well to apartment or suburban settings, provided they receive regular walks and occasional opportunities to stretch their long legs in a safely fenced area. Their short, single-layer coats require minimal grooming, and their overall care needs are straightforward once an owner understands the specific traits of the breed. Many new owners are surprised to discover just how easy greyhound ownership actually is compared to their initial expectations.

An adult greyhound typically weighs between 55 and 85 pounds and stands 25 to 30 inches tall at the shoulder, with females tending toward the smaller end of the range. Their aerodynamic build — narrow head, deep chest, long legs, and tucked abdomen — is designed for speed, but that same build means they have very little body fat and thin skin, which requires some consideration in terms of sleeping surfaces and cold weather protection.

Florida's Greyhound Racing Heritage

Florida played a central and storied role in the history of American greyhound racing. At the industry's peak, the state was home to more than a dozen active greyhound tracks — major venues in Flagler, Hollywood, Naples, Tampa, Sarasota, Jacksonville, Daytona Beach, and elsewhere drew racing fans and bettors year-round. The sport brought significant economic activity to local communities and provided employment for thousands of kennel workers, trainers, veterinarians, and racing officials.

Florida's year-round warm climate made it uniquely suited to continuous greyhound racing, unlike northern states that operated only seasonally. This gave Florida tracks a competitive advantage and helped solidify the state's reputation as the center of American greyhound racing. The state's racing industry attracted both domestic and international attention, with Florida events drawing participants and spectators from across the country and around the world.

Adoption After Amendment 13

Florida voters approved Amendment 13 in November 2018, which phased out commercial greyhound racing statewide. All tracks were required to cease racing operations by December 31, 2020. This landmark decision prompted the largest greyhound transition effort in American history, with tens of thousands of dogs requiring permanent homes in a compressed timeframe.

Adoption organizations, foster networks, and rescue groups responded with remarkable coordination and dedication. Dogs were transported to qualified adopters across Florida and to states throughout the country where greyhound adoption infrastructure was already established. The effort demonstrated the depth of commitment within the greyhound rescue community and resulted in the successful placement of the vast majority of Florida's retired racers.

The greyhound adoption process is generally welcoming to first-time dog owners. Most adoption organizations conduct a brief application review or home assessment to ensure adopters are prepared for the specific needs of a retired racing dog. These assessments typically cover fencing requirements (a securely fenced yard is strongly recommended), household composition, and any existing pets. Greyhounds are sensitive to high prey drive situations, so careful introductions to cats and small dogs are part of a responsible placement process.

Caring for Your Adopted Greyhound

Greyhounds have a few care requirements that differ meaningfully from other breeds. Their lean body composition, with very little body fat and a thin single-layer coat, means they are sensitive to cold temperatures. In Florida, this becomes relevant during cooler winter evenings and in air-conditioned indoor spaces. Lightweight coats or sweaters are practical items for most greyhound owners, and a warm, supportive sleeping surface is important to prevent pressure sores on bony joints.

High-quality dog food formulated for medium-to-large breeds is generally recommended, with portion sizes adjusted based on the individual dog's activity level and body condition. Fresh water should always be available. Greyhounds are not prone to overeating, but consistent feeding schedules help establish routine and monitor appetite as a health indicator.

Dental health is a common concern in the breed. Regular teeth brushing or the use of dental chews can slow tartar accumulation and reduce the risk of periodontal disease. Annual veterinary checkups should include dental evaluation. Florida's warm, humid climate makes year-round heartworm and flea prevention essential — these are non-negotiable aspects of responsible greyhound ownership in the state.

Many retired racing greyhounds arrive already spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped through their racing kennel's health protocols. Nonetheless, a thorough new-owner wellness examination is always recommended to establish a baseline health record and identify any conditions that may not have been documented in the racing kennel environment.

How You Can Help

Even if adopting a greyhound is not the right step for you at this moment, there are meaningful ways to support greyhound welfare efforts in Florida. Fostering a greyhound provides a temporary home while the dog awaits a permanent placement — it is an invaluable contribution during high-volume adoption periods. Foster families help dogs decompress from the kennel environment, learn basic household manners, and build confidence. Many foster families ultimately become permanent adopters, a phenomenon warmly known in rescue circles as “foster failure.”

Financial donations to greyhound adoption organizations fund veterinary care, transportation, training supplies, and the administrative costs that make each successful placement possible. Even modest recurring contributions add up significantly over time. Volunteering time for events, transport runs, and social media outreach is equally valuable. The greyhound adoption community is a welcoming and passionate group, and new participants are always needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened to greyhound racing in Florida?

Florida voters approved Amendment 13 in November 2018, which phased out commercial greyhound racing in the state. All tracks were required to cease racing operations by December 31, 2020, making Florida the largest greyhound racing state to end the practice. This marked a significant turning point for tens of thousands of retired racing greyhounds that needed new homes.

The transition prompted an unprecedented adoption effort involving rescue groups, shelters, and private adopters across Florida and nationwide. Many dogs from Florida tracks were placed with families in other states, and the effort was broadly considered a success thanks to the coordination of dedicated rescue organizations.

How do I adopt a greyhound in Florida?

Adopting a greyhound in Florida typically begins with contacting a licensed greyhound adoption organization. You will complete an application, which may include a home visit or phone interview to confirm your living situation is suitable. Most organizations look for securely fenced yards, since greyhounds can reach speeds of 40 mph and should never be off-leash in open areas.

Once approved, you'll have the opportunity to meet available dogs and select one whose personality fits your household. Most organizations provide a starter kit with information on feeding, health care, and transitioning the dog to home life. Many greyhound adoption groups also offer ongoing support and community resources for new owners.

Are greyhounds good family pets?

Greyhounds are widely regarded as excellent family companions, despite their athletic reputation. They are affectionate, gentle, and surprisingly calm indoors — often dubbed "45-mph couch potatoes" by enthusiasts. They tend to bond closely with their families, are generally good with older children, and adapt well to apartment or suburban living.

Because greyhounds have a strong prey drive from their racing history, introductions to cats and small dogs require care and supervision. Many greyhounds coexist peacefully with other pets once properly introduced, but each dog is an individual. Adoption organizations can help match you with a dog whose temperament suits your household composition.

Do greyhounds need a lot of exercise?

Greyhounds are sprinters, not endurance athletes. They require moderate daily exercise — two brisk walks per day and occasional opportunities to run in a safely fenced area are sufficient for most dogs. Unlike high-energy working breeds, greyhounds are content to spend the majority of their time resting, which makes them well-suited to owners with moderate activity levels.

Access to a fenced yard for occasional sprints is ideal, but not strictly necessary if daily walking is consistent. Off-leash parks are generally not safe for greyhounds due to their speed and prey drive, so a securely enclosed space is the recommended alternative.

What special care do greyhounds require?

Greyhounds have a lean body composition with very little body fat and a thin, single-layer coat. This makes them sensitive to cold temperatures and requires them to sleep on a supportive, padded surface to prevent pressure sores. Coats, sweaters, and warm sleeping beds are practical necessities for greyhounds in cooler months, even in Florida during winter evenings.

Their teeth are prone to tartar buildup, and regular dental care is important. Annual veterinary checkups should include dental evaluation. Florida's warm climate also makes year-round heartworm prevention essential. Many greyhounds arrive already spayed or neutered and vaccinated from their racing kennel, but a thorough new-owner wellness exam is always recommended.

How much does it cost to adopt a greyhound?

Adoption fees for greyhounds through rescue organizations typically range from $75 to $300, depending on the organization. This fee usually covers spay/neuter (if not already done), vaccinations, microchipping, and a health checkup. Some organizations include a starter supply kit. Compared to purchasing a puppy from a breeder, greyhound adoption is very affordable.

Ongoing costs are similar to those of any medium-to-large dog: food, annual veterinary care, heartworm prevention, flea and tick protection, and occasional grooming. Greyhounds do not require professional grooming since their short coats need only occasional brushing. Many owners find the total cost of ownership to be quite reasonable relative to the companionship these dogs provide.