If you are looking for your next dog, you might consider adopting a retired racing Greyhound. Contrary to popular belief, they do not require huge amounts of exercise - in fact, they sleep away most of the day. They do have special needs but they are loving, calm, and gentle and they make a great pet for the right family.

Greyhounds are very low maintenance dogs, they rarely need grooming (but they do enjoy a good brushing) and only need to be bathed a few times per year. Because they don't produce the same skin oils as other breeds of dogs, they rarely smell "doggy". Many people who find themselves allergic to dogs can adopt Greyhounds because they don't shed as much as other breeds of dogs and they do not produce the same dander that other breeds produce.

Greyhounds typically weigh 60-75 lbs and should not be allowed to carry extra weight. Because of the low percentage of body fat, Greyhounds cannot regulate their body temperature as efficiently as other breeds and should not be allowed to live outside.

Greyhounds should never be allowed offleash in an unfenced area. Because they are sighthounds, if they lose sight of "home" they are unlikely to find their way back to you. Because their necks are larger than their heads (they are affectionatly called "needle noses") they must wear a Martingale Collar, which is also called a Humane Choke collar. This type of collar prevents them from slipping out of their collar and escaping.

Greyhounds require less exercise than other large breed dogs - because they are sprinting animals, their energy is spent all at once and they often will sleep the rest of the day. If you do not have a fenced in yard, they will need to be walked for exercise.

If you are interested in finding more about Greyhound Adoption, visit www.adopt-a-greyhound.org to find an adoption group in your area.

Alisha Navarro is the owner of 2 Hounds Design, maker of designer Greyhound Collars also called Martingale Collars. She lives in Monroe, NC and owns 3 retired racing Greyhounds.