Common Myth #1: Greyhounds are hyper dogs that have to run every day. Retired racing Greyhounds typically sleep about 18 hours a day (more if you let them). "Hyper" is not a word we would even consider applying to a Greyhound. They are commonly referred to as 45 mile per hour couch potatoes. The fact is they don't HAVE to run at all, although they do relish a good sprint once in a while. If you want to see hyper, take a look at Lucky and Kristy's step-sister Zoe the Smooth Fox Terrier. OY VEY!!!

Common Myth #2: Greyhounds are abused and mistreated at the track. Greyhound racing in the U.S. is a business, not a Mel Brooks movie. You make money in business by winning, not by losing. You win at Greyhound racing with a healthy dog. Greyhounds are generally well cared for while actively racing. They may not enjoy the quality of life a dog deserves while on the track, but since it's the only life they know, they are not unhappy animals. Once adopted they quickly figure out what they've been missing and seem truly grateful for the new life they have been given.

Common Myth #3: Greyhounds are large dogs that need lots of space to live in. Well, they are not Chihuahuas, but they are indoor dogs. Greyhounds have virtually no body fat so outdoor temperatures to either extreme are not tolerable to them. Even if you live in a house with a fenced yard, the dog will have to live indoors. We lived in a two bedroom condo at one time and Porcia was very happy and comfortable there. The uninitiated are always amazed at how "small" a sleeping 65 pound Greyhound can be.

Common Myth #4: Greyhounds do not get along with other animals. Well, this one is sometimes true. In some Greyhounds the "Prey Drive" is so strong that they can not live in homes with other animals. Most Greys, however, will get along quite well with other dogs, cats (Porcia loved cats) and other small animals. When they first come off the track they do not necessarily recognize other breeds as dogs, so if you have dogs of another breed there will be a learning curve to contend with. Want Proof? Click here.

Common Myth #5: Greyhounds are "Special Needs" dogs that require a lot of your time. This one is the absolute truth! Greyhounds do have special needs. They NEED at least a couple of soft places to sleep. They NEED love and affection from their humans. They NEED to be fed every day. As for demanding a lot of your time; if you want to sit and watch your Greyhound sleep 18 hours a day, well, fine. Frankly YOU probably NEED to get a hobby.

Common Myth #6: All retired Greyhound adoption groups are the same. This is a really tough one. All retired Greyhounds deserve a good home and a long pampered life. However, if you are considering adopting, carefully examine the group you are adopting from. Examine their values and procedures. Examine their motives. ASK QUESTIONS! Above all, make sure you know all that is known about the dog you are adopting (which may not be much in many cases) and make sure the dog's personality is a good match for your lifestyle. Just as with any breed, certain individual Greyhounds may have health or personality issues that you should know about before making a decision. Don't just choose the first dog that runs up and licks your chin. These dogs have already been through a lot of undeserved stress before they move into our homes. They do not need to be put through even more by being returned to the adoption group because the adopter wasn't aware of something about the dog or the breed.

Common Myth #7: Greyhounds are not dogs. They are actually cyborg robots sent by aliens from Alpha Centauri to invade human sleeping spaces and thereby deprive us of sleep so that we don't notice the Alpha Centaurians when they raid our washing machines and steal one sock from each pair of argyles they find. This is not a common myth at all. We just made it up because we wanted to have seven myths on this list. (But think about it...)