Greyhound

Temperament:

Intelligent, affectionate, cozy
Size: Large
Height: 70-73 cm
Weight: 20-50 kg
Lifespan: 10-14 years
Coat: Shorthair
Colors: Black, White, Red, Blue, Brownish red, Sand, Brindle
FCI Group: Sighthounds

With a possible running speed of 80 kilometers per hour, the Greyhound is considered the fastest dog in the world and is one of the fastest land animals ever. Originally bred for hunting, it is more synonymous with the greyhound than almost any other breed. However, the Greyhound is also a loyal family dog that loves to lie on the sofa with its "pack" and enjoys lots of cuddles. This does not mean, however, that it can be kept with other breeds. You can be prepared for impressive sprints on walks.

Greyhound
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Characteristics

The "hound" in his name is not without reason. The term "hound" is used to describe all hunting dogs that hunt alone. The Greyhound was originally bred to hunt small game. This primal instinct is so strongly anchored in its genes that it is difficult to train away.

Instead, you should use his energy and exercise with him. He prefers to run alongside the bike. But be careful in open fields. If he sees a hare, the two-wheeler can become very, very fast. Racing clubs are also a good way to satisfy his instincts. Lure coursing allows the greyhound to show off its agility and speed. In pure sighthound racing, a lure is dragged in front of it in even tracks, whereas lure dragging in coursing is more like the typical prey behavior of the hare.

As wild as the Greyhound is in the field, he is just as cozy at home. Many claim never to have heard him bark.

His favorite place is on the sofa with his master or mistress. And if that is not allowed, then in his favorite place, but very close, please. A firm hand is out of place here.

Another characteristic of this fascinating four-legged friend is the lack of the typical dog smell, which is due to the absence of subcutaneous fat.

But what qualities should you have if you decide to get a Greyhound? You should be consistent, affectionate and athletic.

Its adaptability is another character trait alongside its intelligence. Nevertheless, the Greyhound should not be kept in a small city apartment. It is relatively large and a room that is too small would not be a good environment for it.

Coat care:

Little
Medium
Intensive

Shedding:

Little
Medium
Intensive

Energy level:

Little
Medium
High

Trainability:

Little
Medium
Good

Children suitable:

Less
With supervision
Perfect

The right food

When choosing food, make sure that it contains high-quality ingredients, is balanced and meets your dog's requirements. Age, size or weight, activity and health status play an important role. You should follow the manufacturer's recommendations for the amount of food.

Treats should only be fed in moderation and deducted from the basic diet to avoid obesity.

Puppies can be fed 4-6 times a day. The number of meals should be gradually reduced to 2 per day until the dog is fully grown. A rest period should be observed after meals.

Fresh drinking water should be available at all times.

The Greyhound should always be provided with an elevated feeding place. If it eats in an upright position, it swallows less air, which can reduce the risk of flatulence and stomach problems. This is particularly important for dogs with a deep chest, as is the case with Greyhounds.

Health & Care

A large plot of land where the Greyhound can really let off steam is ideal. A fence is very important, because as soon as he smells prey, he immediately goes on the hunt. And then nothing can stop him. Except the fence.

This also means that he stays on the lead better on long walks. Contrary to popular belief, Greyhounds are very good on the lead. Incidentally, the British Greyhound is not a marathon runner. He loves short sprints. Accordingly, you should give him the opportunity to do so. However, only in fenced-in areas.

Many dog lovers do not realize what a robust dog the Greyhound is. Because of its stature, it is said to be somewhat susceptible to disease. This is not true. On the contrary, they are very easy to care for. It hardly sheds, barks little or not at all and hardly smells.

What he doesn't like are the two extremes of cold and heat. The former is problematic as he doesn't have an ounce of fat on him and therefore freezes quickly. Heat is also a problem for him. That's why you should never let him go on a run with lots of sprints in high temperatures.

Walks should take place in the evening and morning during the warmer months of the year. Adequate hydration is also important. Warm vests are recommended in winter.

For grooming, the coat should be brushed regularly or massaged with a pimple glove. Keeping them in a kennel is not advisable due to their sensitivity to temperature.

Suitable accessories

A soft, large dog bed should be a matter of course.

As the Greyhound is a specialist at turning out of the collar, a dog harness will often be the first choice in the beginning. Greyhounds are not aggressive. For safety reasons, a muzzle is advisable at the beginning.

To protect him from the cold in winter, he should wear a coat or vest. Rain is also a problem as his coat does not produce fat. Rain cools him down and as he has no undercoat, he quickly starts to freeze.

He needs a nap brush or a glove for grooming. He needs toys just like any other dog, although in the evenings you sometimes get the feeling that he would love to have his own remote control to switch to Lassie or Bugs Bunny. It's not for nothing that the Greyhound is jokingly nicknamed the couch potato.

Other accessories that belong in your Greyhound's basic equipment: water and food bowls, tick tweezers, claw clippers, mild dog shampoo, toothbrush and toothpaste for dogs, a transport aid for transportation in the car and a first aid kit. Ask your vet what should be in the first aid kit.

Greyhound history

Origin & History

The Greyhound is a great dog breed with an eventful and sad history. It is undisputed that the Greyhound is one of the oldest dog breeds in the world. Even the ancient Egyptians bred them and documented this on their wall paintings. The consolidation of the breed standard began in England, around six hundred years after the Celts brought it to the island in the fourth century.

Like the Irish Wolfhound, the Greyhound was reserved for the nobility, who invested a great deal of time and passion in their hunting dogs. Killing greyhounds was even forbidden on pain of death. The original hunters were increasingly used for racing and were bred specifically for this purpose from the 16th century onwards.

Systematic breeding over almost a millennium has strengthened the character traits of sighthounds.

But where there is a lot of light, there is also shadow, because when the animals could no longer take part in races for reasons of age, they were usually killed. This is still legal in Ireland today and the animals suffer under unbelievable conditions. They are used as fishing bait or sold to Asia to slowly die in dog races. It is possible to adopt greyhounds from Ireland. So if you don't necessarily want to buy from a breeder, you can also get one from the British Isles.