Just Ask Pasha • Can I adopt a puppy?

We've heard that greyhounds make great pets, but we really want a puppy. Can we adopt a greyhound puppy?

Every once in a while a litter of puppies are available for adoption. Most greyhounds however, are retired racers.

The youngest greyhounds are around 2 years old.

For the first year of their lives, they spend their days playing with their litter mates.

At about a year, they are kennel trained and then they are off to learn to chase the lure. From there, they go to the track, usually between 16 and 18 months.

Once they are at the track, they decide whether or not they want to run, or go in search of a couch. If they have no desire to race, they are put into an adoption program. These are the youngsters, usually around 24 months.

Greyhounds live between 12 and 14 years, so they have nice long lives. Don't think for a skinny minute that an older greyhound can't keep up just like the young ones. When you head out to adopt your first greyhound, think about the match for your family, not the age.

Just in case you need a puppy fix...

This little guy is 4 days old.

These two are roughly 3 months old

And these guys are about 7 months old.