Whether you’re hoping for a cuddle on the couch, or a sprightly jaunt around the park, there’s no partner in crime quite like the Greyhound. Graceful and elegant, this affectionate breed is happy to keep you company—much like they’ve been doing for thousands of years. Plus, there are usually plenty of opportunities to adopt an older Greyhound that has retired from racing, which is a wonderful way to ensure them a happy, comfortable life.
Is a Greyhound the right kind of dog for you? There are a lot of things to consider when adding a dog to your life, so we’ve covered just about everything you’ll need to know in this in-depth breed profile.
Key
- Low
- Medium
- High
- Origin: Middle East
- Size:
- Weight: 23-39 kg
- Activity level:
- Barking/howling level:
- Good with dogs: yes
- Good with kids: yes
- Good with cats:
- Shedding:
- Shedding: Seasonal
- Grooming level:
- Training level:
Greyhound Appearance
Greyhounds are a very recognisable breed, with willowy bodies, deep chests, and slender heads with delicate ears that flop backwards. Their graceful canter also sets them apart—with their feet appearing to not even touch the ground!
Their coats are short and smooth and come in a massive number of colours; everything from fawn, grey, and white, to black, red, blue, and various shades of brindle. Keep in mind how thin their coat is though, which is why you see so many Greyhounds rockin’ sweet sweaters and coats when they’re strolling down the streets with their families.
Greyhound Personality
Greyhounds are affectionate and lovable dogs, with a special place in their hearts for family. They aren’t always quite as thrilled with strangers, which is why some people describe them as aloof (though maybe they’re just a tad shy?). They’re also very sensitive, so it’s important to be encouraging and kind—and a treat will generally win you a friend for life.
Obviously, Greyhounds have a reputation for being ‘sporty’ since they can run like the wind, but what this breed loves best is a nice, cosy nap. They just need to exert a bunch of energy quickly (and boy, are they fast!), and then they’ll spend the rest of their day relaxing and dozing off.
Ideal Environment for a Greyhound
Because of their size and athletic ability, you might be surprised to discover that Greyhounds actually make wonderful apartment dogs, since they spend much of their day sleeping and relaxing. Of course, they’ll be happy in a house as well—just so long as wherever they are they get a little exercise every day (and lots of love).
Ideal Human for a Greyhound
Though Greyhounds get along with almost everyone, their best match is someone with lots of time to devote to them. It’s also important that their humans make the effort to socialise these wonderful dogs and don’t leave them alone all the time.
Greyhound Dog Training
Greyhounds are a bright, intelligent breed, which means that training them can work well so long as you’re careful to keep them on a lead unless they’re fenced in. This is especially important because they are known to hunt smaller prey—so if you’re training them around squirrels or cats, they’re likely to take off chasing them.
They can be a little stubborn sometimes with training, but if you’re confident, kind, and stocked with treats, you’ll have a well-trained pup on your hands in no time. They also love pleasing their human partner, and want to feel bonded, which means they’ll do their best to make you happy.
Since Greyhounds can sometimes get nervous around new people and things, it’s very important to socialise them early on by introducing them to a variety of situations, people, animals, and locations. By showing them the world around them, and making them feel comfortable and safe with you as they explore it, they’ll gain the confidence to be the well-adjusted, well-behaved pup you know that they can be. Above all this breed really just wants to please their loved ones, and their smarts and charm mean that any effort you put into training them will be well worth it.
Greyhound Grooming
Greyhounds boast a pretty fine coif, so it’s important to be extra careful with the skin underneath. Since they are susceptible to scrapes and cuts, it’s important to use a gentle rubber curry brush on them, as that will get rid of dead hair and skin, while also helping reduce shedding.
Another area to keep an eye on? Those Greyhound chompers. This breed tends to have poor dental health, so brushing their teeth is essential to keeping them healthy. It’s best to begin dental care at a young age so that they’re able to adapt to someone touching their mouth and teeth early on.
Greyhound Health
For the most part, Greyhounds are generally pretty healthy, with the most common issues being anaesthesia sensitivity (most likely due to their low body fat), hypothyroidism, bone cancer, and bloat.
Greyhounds generally live from 12 to 15 years, and with the proper exercise, food, and regular trips to the vet, your pup will have a good chance at a long and happy life.
Greyhound Breed History
Greyhounds are thought to be one of the oldest dog breeds (perhaps around 8,000 years old), and have always been depicted in art and literature throughout the ages. In ancient Egypt they were even considered gods, and their deaths were mourned deeply.
Later, Greyhounds were spread by Romans to areas of England and Ireland, where they became hunting dogs, and then in the early 1900s, Greyhound racing began in the UK.
Getting a Greyhound
A Greyhound can make for a wonderful friend and they’re sure to be a source of joy, with plenty of laughs and perhaps a little bit of mischief along the way. Whether you’re planning on adopting or looking for a breeder to find a puppy, prepare yourself, your home and your heart to welcome a dog with plenty of personality and energy
Greyhound breeders
It’s always a good idea to meet the parents of your puppy, and to see how the litter interacts with each other. A good, trustworthy breeder should have records of the parents’ lineage and should be able to tell you more about the specific litter.
Beware of puppy mills and internet scams. To find reputable breeders who have to meet stringent requirements, it’s a good idea to look at those on the Kennel Club‘s assured breeder scheme and/or one with a five-star licence from the local council. When you visit a breeder, be sure to ask about any health issues in the dog’s bloodline, and discuss any genetic tests you might want to run.
Adopting a Greyhound
Due to their speed, Greyhounds have been commonly used for racing, and once their ‘career’ is over they’re often sent to a rescue as a retired racing dog. Search for rescue greyhounds in your area, as that is a great way to find a wonderful dog and give them a good, happy life. The Greyhound Trust is a good place to start but many non-breed-specific rescues also have Greyhounds waiting to find loving new homes.
A rescue dog will often already be well-trained and neutered, and simply in need of a new, loving home.
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