The Greyhound is a very Ancient breed of Sighthound that can be traced back to Egyptian carvings in the old tombs. Originally descendants of Sloughis, they were bread to hunt deer and boar. In the Early years of England only royalty were allowed to own and breed them.
Greyhounds are the fastest dogs in the world. They can reach speeds os 40 MPH. They are built for speed. Greyhounds have strong muscular backs strait front legs and a streamline body. They have a short firm coat in a variety of colors.
Greyhounds have very little body fat (less than half that of other breeds), thin skin, and short fur. Thus, they are sensitive to heat and cold, making them strictly indoor dogs. Fortunately, their unusual cleanliness and lack of odor make them excellent indoor companions.
Greyhounds are athletes and need to exercise daily with walks. You need to also find a large safe fenced area for your greyhound to run 3 times a week. Even though they are runners they are not considered a high-energy breed. Greyhounds generally lounge around in the house and enjoy long naps on the couch. If you fulfill their exercise needs they are considered quite lazy and couch potatoes. If a greyhound lacks in exercise, they can be destructive with chewing, develop anxiety problems and become mischievous.
Greyhounds make good family pets and are good with well-mannered children. They should be socialized and exposed to new situations to avoid becoming timid. Greyhounds have very sweet personalities. They want to be close to their owners and other company. This breed excels at Therapy work because of their loving and trusting nature. They are easy to housebreak and are not prone to excessive barking.
Greyhounds are bright an independent thinkers. They are very trainable but dislike repetition. It’s best to train greyhounds with short, enthusiastic training sessions that end with a positive note. Most greyhounds will be very food motivated and do well with a reward system. Greyhounds are not Border Collies or Labs. You have to find inventive ways to make training fun for them and worthwhile. Never use choke chains, shock collars or harsh training methods on a greyhound. Their timid nature is not suited for these methods and will react badly. A good recall is so important to have. It should be one of the first things you teach your greyhound. They will be too fast for you to catch if they run away. It is imperative that you are able to call them back before you let them off leash anywhere.
Greyhounds are sighthounds with a very high prey drive. Some well-socialized greyhounds can live with cats and other small pets but some cannot. There are also some greyhounds that will chase and kill anything that runs because of this high prey drive. This includes neighbor’s cats, birds, squirrels and even small dogs. As a responsible greyhound owner you should never let them off leash in public areas, neighborhoods and near roads. Find large fenced areas away from local animals and wildlife to let your dog run.
Greyhounds cannot metabolize anesthesia well. Be sure your vet is familiar with this fact, as the amount of anesthesia given to a 75-pound Doberman would be fatal to a 75-pound Greyhound! Greyhounds are generally very healthy dogs, and live for 12 to 15 years. Hip displaysia and other genetic defects are very rare in ex-racing Greyhounds. A primary health concern for Greyhound owners is bloat. This can be prevented with proper feeding practices. If bloat does occur, prompt medical attention is necessary to save the dog’s life. Greyhounds are also sensitive to drugs, including pesticides.
If you’re interested in adopting a greyhound look at rescue first. There are so many racing Greyhounds that need homes after being retired. Please look at adoption first before you purchase a puppy.
For more Greyhound Information
Greyhound Pets of America- Salt Lake
Utah Greyhound Rescue
Utah Greyhound Rescue Southern
Greyhound Club of America
If you would like to talk with a local Greyhound owner, contact
Faith Burnham
marmaladegreys@gmail.com
 
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