Retired racing dogs

6/4/2025

One might imagine greyhounds, known for their speed, want to race day in and day out.

Yet Dylan and Catherine Lyons discovered, in the case of their greyhounds, it is not true. After they adopted their greyhounds, Buddy and Han, Dylan thought he would be a runner when he took them for a walk. 

“It’s more like a leisurely stroll. They are sprinters and not marathoners,” he explains. “They’re more like couch potatoes.”

The Lyons adopted Buddy in 2016 and Han in 2018 from the Heartland Greyhound Association. The HGA works with owners of racing greyhounds. The top-performing dogs race about two to four years. When the dog is retired from racing, the HGA helps dogs find a home.

Some greyhounds don’t possess skills to race, so those dogs are also surrendered. Fewer greyhounds are around because of the declining number of dog racetracks in the United States. Currently, West Virginia is the only state with dog tracks.

The pair began fostering greyhounds in 2018 and, since then, have fostered 19 dogs including their “foster fail,” Han.

When fostering greyhounds, their first task is to teach the dog to be a pet. 

“When you get a dog, they’ve only been on a track,” says Catherine. “They don’t know how to play. Once off the track, their personalities come out.”

Greyhound temperaments are unique, and they can be clingy. Some do well with kids, and some don’t. If a greyhound has a high prey drive, they can’t be off the leash. 

“If they see a rabbit or squirrel, they’ll take off,” Dylan explains. “They need to be in a fenced-in area.”

One unique fact is that greyhounds are universal blood donors for other dogs. In addition, former racers have tattoos on their ears. Owners can look up the dogs online and view how many races they competed in. The couple has researched bloodlines and discovered many of their foster dogs were related to champion dogs.

Both Han and Buddy are relaxed and “chill” dogs. 

“They are like big cats. They don’t bark or wine. It is a misconception that they are high energy. They get the zoomies out and then nap most of the day,” Catherine says.

Catherine admits greyhounds can be stubborn. 

“They are silly and playful but stubborn. You can train them to sit and stay, but they’re not that type of dog. Their instinct is to run and chase.”

To assist with burning off energy, some owners let their greyhounds participate in field coursing. The game consists of a field course that mimics racing. Additionally, breeders are less in demand, resulting in fewer greyhound adoptions. 

“It will be interesting to see what happens to the breed,” Dylan says. 

The Lyons are known as “greyhound people,” as Catherine shares foster stories to assist with greyhound adoptions. She says a fostering partnership with the HGA gives dogs a second chance. 

“They go from being a great racer to a great pet,” she reflects. “We help transition them to retire, and they have an opportunity to be a pet.” ♦