Large
11 Years
40 Kg
Hound Dogs
Affectionate, Gentle, Intelligent, Quiet
The Greyhound is a large size sighthound of ancient origins, bred for coursing game and for dog racing sport known as Greyhound racing. It is described as affectionate, especially with their own pack, generally quiet, easy-going, and calm. It is a tall slender dog with long powerful legs, smooth coat, deep chest, and flexible spine that can reach race speeds of 64kph or more. Racing track Greyhounds are smaller and lighter than show ring Greyhounds. A racing Greyhound can reach a maximum speed of 70kph within 30 metres. This athletic breed is one of the dolichocephalic dog breeds, meaning its skull is relatively long compared to its breadth. It has a very short fur that is very easy to maintain. Coat colours vary and can either be black, white, red, blue, fawn, fallow, brindle or any of these colours broken with white. Males have an average height between 71-76cm while females stand between 69cm and 71cm.
All dog breeds have different levels of intellect. Some dog breeds; working dogs in particular, are very independent thinkers and have been evolved to be very intelligent. Typically, a highly intelligent dog does well in obedience training and other activities. A highly intelligent dog can be very demanding and do require lots of physical and mental stimulation. If you’re looking for a relatively laid-back dog, that doesn’t require lots of mental and physical stimulation, then you must fully understand the level of intelligence of your dog breed of choice.
Before committing to a certain dog breed, you must fully understand their intellect levels and their specific levels of energy. To keep your dog well-balanced and happy, their needs must be met and maintained.
All dog breeds have different needs when it comes to the level of exercise they require. For the high energy dogs; which are your typical working dogs, they have a lot of energy and require lots of daily exercise along with plenty of mental stimulation. A highly energetic dog breed would suit an individual or family that is equally as active and loves the outdoors. There are also breeds that have relatively low exercise needs, such as toy dog breeds. Although they require daily exercise and mental stimulation, they’re just as happy chilling at home with their loved ones. This type of dog breed would suit an individual or family that prefers the peace and quiet and relaxation.
Before deciding on your chosen dog breed, Mypetzilla recommends that you research the exercise needs and whether you’re well equipped before committing to buying or adopting a particular dog breed.
There are several dog breeds that are known and potentially predisposed to developing health related conditions. Sensible breeding can help prevent the onset of health related conditions and this should always be taken into condition when researching your dog breed of choice. Before committing to a dog, you should speak to the breeder about any health related conditions that may affect the dog you’re looking to buy or adopt. You can also request to see any test results from genetic testing.
There are many dog breeds that tolerate children really well and are not affected by the constant noise and need for play-time. However, there are some dog breeds that don’t do very well with children and can become frustrated and snappy. That being said, all children should be shown how to handle and care for a dog in their home and should always be supervised when playing. As much as a dog can become annoyed and snappy with a younger child, the child can also become less tolerant and misbehaved towards the dog.
Mypetzilla recommends that you always supervise play-time between your children and dog. Children need to respect the boundaries and feeding time for the dog and likewise for the child. We also strongly advise that play-time doesn’t get out of control and too rough which can cause injury to both child and dog.
There are lots of dog breeds that are well suited to living in an apartment. It’s worthwhile noting that you need to check that you’re allowed dogs in your building before committing to bringing one home. If you do decide to own a dog and are living in an apartment, then you must make sure that they have plenty of room to roam around and frequent walks outside to prevent them from becoming bored and depressed.
Mypetzilla recommends that you check as to whether you’re allowed dogs in your apartment building and to fully ensure your apartment is dog proof before committing fully to bringing a dog home.
All dog breeds shed to some extent, some more than others. With this, all potential dog owners should be aware of this, as it will be a matter of putting up with some hair or lots of hair being left around the house. Depending on the dog breed, there are certain times during the year where some dog breeds shed the most and this is typically around spring and autumn. However, there are some dog breeds that shed all year round.
If you’re very house-proud, they you may want to choose a dog breed that sheds very little. Mypetzilla strongly recommends that you fully research your dog breed of choice and their shedding levels before committing.
All dog breeds require different levels of grooming. Some dog breeds are easier to maintain than others and only require a weekly brush to help keep their coat in good condition. There are some dog breeds that require regular trips to the grooming parlour and this can come at a huge cost. Either way, all dog breeds require their coat and nails to be maintained and cared for.
Mypetzilla strongly advices that potential owners research the grooming needs and associated costs with their desired dog breed before fully committing.
Barking is a necessity for your dog to communicate. However, it can also be a nuisance to yourself and fellow neighbours if it’s not kept under control. If you live in an apartment, then you’re better off choosing a dog breed that doesn’t bark as much. If you live further out and far from civilisation, then it’s worthwhile looking into a dog breed that does bark and will bark to alert you of any other company on your property.
Mypetzilla advices that you research the behaviours of your dog breed of choice and whether this would work for you and your family. It’s worth noting that dogs can be trained to bark less and this will take a lot of effort and training from the owner.
Majority dog breeds form very close relationships with their owners and as a result can become very stressed when left alone for a period of time. If a dog is suffering with separation anxiety then they’re very likely to become destructive around the home as a way of dealing with their anxieties. Dog breeds that do form strong bonds with their owners are better accustomed to a household where one member of the family remains home, whilst the others are out, this is to help avoid further anxieties and destructive behaviours.
Mypetzilla recommends that all potential owners research their dog breed of choice on their bonding abilities and how well-adjusted they are to being left alone at home. It’s also worth noting that you should never leave your dog for longer than 4 hours alone at home.
There are certain dogs breeds that have very high intellect and therefore easier to train than other dog breeds. There is also a downside to this; as fast as they learn the new trick or command, they can easily pick up bad habits just as quick. Other dog breeds that don’t rank as high on the intellect scale require patience and plenty of reward treats from their owners during training.
Before committing to a certain dog breed, Mypetzilla advices you to fully research your dog breed of choice and their level of training needs.
All dog breeds have different energy levels. The working dog breed has one of the highest energy levels in comparison to the low-energy dog’s breeds such as the Toy dog breed group. To keep a dog truly happy, healthy and well-balanced, their energy levels must be met.
High-energy dog breeds need lots of exercise and mental stimulation. High energy dog breeds would suit an active family or person. Dog breeds that are considered as low-energy, love to spend the majority of their time relaxing and sleeping in their favourite, comfy spot. A low-energy dog breed would suit an individual that equally loves the quiet life and relaxing lifestyle. Of course, low-energy dogs still need their daily walks and mental stimulation, just not as much as a high-energy dog breed.
Mypetzilla recommends that potential owner research fully on the type of dog breed that would suit their existing lifestyle and to also take into consideration the dog breeds energy levels and exercise requirements.
Before you decide on what dog breed would be suitable for you and your family, you must consider whether they’re a friendly dog breed and if you already have other pets within the household. For homes that already have dogs and other domestic pets, then it’s wise to choose a dog breed that has a friendly personality and temperament.
There are some dog breeds that mix well with other dog breeds and there are others that don’t suit one another and this could potentially cause issues later on down the line.
Another important point to consider is whether the dog breed of choice is friendly towards people and children.
Mypetzilla recommends to research fully on the right dog breed for your family and to also consider their temperament and characteristics.
The modern Greyhound was developed in Britain during the Middle Ages but history tells us that the Greyhound is one of the ancient breeds of dog. Although modern literature depicts the Greyhound as close relatives of the Persian Greyhound or the Sloughi, it is actually not closely related to these breeds but is much more related to herding dogs. The first sighthound in known in Europe and probably the ancestor of the Greyhound, the “vertragus” suggests that it probably originated with the ancient Celts from Eastern Europe. These Greyhound-type dogs were bred since that time and spread throughout Europe. The first purebred Greyhound pedigree was registered in private studbooks during the 18th century. Historically, these dogs were used to hunt in the open using their eyesight (sight hound) and some believe that they were brought to the British Isles during the 5th century BC from mainland Europe by the Celts. In the Middle Ages, it was decreed that only royalty and nobility could use Greyhounds for hunting. The first Greyhould racing was held on July 24, 1926 on an oval racetrack at the Belle Vue Stadium in the UK.
The Greyhound is affectionate, gentle, intelligent, quiet, and a fast runner. It can be reserved toward strangers but is generally affectionate with its own pack. The Greyhound is easy-going and calm, often seen sleeping on the couch all day. Pet owners often describe this breed as a “70-kilometer-per-hour couch potato.” It thrives well in a happy, quiet home and can live comfortable well with children, as long as the children are taught how to properly handle such a large dog. The Greyhound can also live with other house animals, even small ones especially if it is socialised with them at an early age. It is a highly adaptable breed and can be a wonderful apartment dog as well because it does not require much space and can sleep all day long. Because of this calm and docile temperament, it is more recommended as an apartment dog compared to small but active breeds.
Training this intelligent and calm breed is easy. In most race tracks, the Greyhound is typically housed in a crate, therefore, crate training a Greyhound is relatively easy. Lead training is also a necessity because the Greyhound must not be allowed to wander off-lead. Its strong prey drive, agility, and speed can quickly bring him into trouble or accident especially in the city. The primary use of the Greyhound in the UK was for coursing deer but modern times saw the dog specialised in lure coursing and racing which is a popular sport in the United Kingdom. They excel in artificial lure sports and in flyball.
Grooming the Greyhound is a no-brainer and it is one of the best reasons why owners choose to have the Greyhound as a pet. Grooming takes just a few minutes each day with a rubber brush or a grooming mitt. Bathing is a non-issue because the Greyhound has very little “doggy odour” and does not require frequent bathing. A mild dog shampoo is recommended when bathing the breed. Check ears for infection or allergies. Do not use a flea collar on a Greyhound because it is sensitive to chemicals and pesticides.
The Greyhound is generally a healthy and long-lived breed with a typical lifespan 9 to 11 years with rare hereditary illness. It is sometimes prone to the following medical predisposition:
The Greyhound’s lean physique makes it unsuitable to sleep on hard surfaces and may develop painful skin sores if left to sleep on such surfaces. Greyhounds also cannot metabolise barbiturate-based anaesthesia so it is best to call a veterinarian who is familiar with the breed. It is also sensitive to insecticides. It does not have an undercoat like other breeds so it is susceptible to extreme temperatures such as extreme hot or cold.
Although the Greyhound will be content relaxing and laying around the house all day, it still needs a moderate amount of exercise to burn off its reserve energy. Greyhounds are not built for stamina but they are built for speed. They are sprinters and no long distance runners. As such, they cannot tolerate strenuous exercises. Just a quick run in the yard or a nice walk along the sidewalk is enough to burn the dog’s conserved energy. A long run may be harmful to the dog if it is not conditioned, particularly if it is a senior. Early morning or evening walks are the safest times to take the dog on an exercise.
Children and Greyhounds go perfectly together very well. However, small children should be taught how to behave properly around the Greyhound as the dog’s sheer size can easily knock small children down. Do not try to disturb a sleeping Greyhound because it may growl when startled which can be mistaken for aggressiveness. The Greyhound does very well with other dogs regardless of size but due to its strong prey instinct, it can be a serious cat chaser at times.
Copyright © 2024 Mypetzilla UK