Greyhound

What about a Greyhound as a Pet?

Did you know…..
Positives
·       Greyhounds are very loyal, loving and devoted dogs
·       They have low maintenance coats
·       They are very good around children
·       They have low shedding coats
·       They are easy to house train
·       In the right hands Greyhounds are easy to train

Points to consider
Greyhounds need a ton of vigorous exercise to be truly happy
·       They are not the best choice for first time dog owners
·       They have delicate skin and feel the cold which means they must wear dog coats during the winter months
·       Greyhounds have a very strong prey drive
·       Some Greyhounds can be a little nervous and aloof around strangers
·       They are “thieves” and will help themselves to food they can get at
·       Can suffer from separation anxiety if left on their own
·       Care should always be taken as to where and when a Greyhound can be let off the lead
As a Breed….

The Greyhound is an elegant, graceful dog that over time has found their way into the hearts and homes of many people both here in Ireland and elsewhere in the world and for good reason. They are known to be wonderful companions and family pets that form strong bonds with their owners which makes them such a pleasure to have around.
These athletic, lean dogs love to let off steam whenever they can, but they also know how to chill out and relax which is just one of the reasons why they have consistently remained such a popular breed. They are, in a nutshell, the most popular of all hound breeds with the added bonus of Greyhounds being low maintenance when it comes to keeping their coats looking good and for such large dogs, they are not big eaters either.

Where do Greyhounds originate from?

There are references to dogs that look very much like the Greyhound in ancient works of art discovered in Egyptian pyramids that date back to 4000 BC and many people believe they were firm favourites with the Pharaohs. With this said, there are other people who believe these elegant dogs could have originated in ancient Greece, Africa, Turkey or the Middle East. What is known is that the Greyhound is an ancient breed that has been around thousands of years.
At one point in time, before the Middle Ages when famines spread across the lands, Greyhound numbers fell dangerously low, but thanks to the fact that nobles and the privileged of the day including royalty made sure these hounds did not vanish altogether by keeping them in their courts. Nobles made it a capital offence to kill one of these hounds and commoners could not own one.
Over the years, they found their way to Europe and when they first arrived in Ireland, they were to become a definite status symbol.
In Ireland, Greyhounds were first used for hare coursing, but later thanks to their tremendous turn of speed, these hounds were used for racing, proving themselves to be the fastest dog on the planet. Only the cheetah boasts being faster than a Greyhound in full flight. Today, Greyhounds are still one of the most popular choices as family pets and companion dogs because of their kind, gentle natures and the fact they seem to have a natural affinity with children.

Random facts about the breed
Is the Greyhound a vulnerable breed? No, Greyhounds have consistently remained one of the more popular breeds in the Ireland and elsewhere globally.
·       Greyhounds are the only breed to be mentioned in the Bible in Proverbs 30:29-31, King James Version
·       They are the fastest dogs in the world
·       Greyhounds have a nickname which is “the 40-mph couch potato”
·       In mythology, the Goddess Diana often has a Greyhound at her side in works of art
·       The American president Hayes owned a Greyhound in 1876 and kept his canine companion in the White House
·       They are thought to be the most ancient of “hound” breeds

Looks like a Greyhound?

Height at the withers: Males 71 – 76 cm, Females 68 – 71 cm
Average weight: Males 27 – 40 kg, Females 27 – 34 kg
Greyhounds are athletic, muscular and nicely proportioned dogs that boast long heads and necks which adds to their graceful appearance. They have powerful jaws, well chiselled muzzles and slight stop. Their eyes are oval shaped and dark in colour with dogs boasting a bright, intelligent look about them. Their ears are rose-shaped and small being fine to the touch.
Greyhounds have strong jaws with a perfect scissor bite where their upper teeth neatly overlap their lower ones. Their necks are previously mentioned are long and well-muscled with dogs carrying them arched in an elegant fashion. Shoulders are muscular, oblique and well laid back being well defined and their front legs are straight, long and boast a good amount of bone.
A Greyhound boasts a deep chest and deep well sprung ribs which are carried well back. Their back is long and broad with dogs boasting powerful slightly arched loins. Hindquarters are well muscled with Greyhounds boasting wide and muscular thighs and second thighs which are proof of their exceptional power. Their feet are moderately long and dog’s boast compact, well knuckled toes with strong paw pads. Tails are long and set low being stronger at the root before tapering to the tip and which dogs carry low and curved slightly.
When it comes to their coat, Greyhounds have fine and close coats which can be a variety of colours. The accepted breed colours for Kennel Club registration are as follows:
·       Black
·       Black & White
·       Black Brindle
·       Black Brindle & White
·       Blue
·       Blue & White
·       Blue Brindle
·       Blue Brindle White Part colour
·       Brindle & White
·       Fallow
·       Fallow & White
·       Fawn
·       Fawn & White
·       Red
·       Red & White
·       Red Brindle
·       Red Brindle & White
·       White

Greyhounds can also have all the above colours with white markings in them which is permissible as a breed standard.
Gait/movement
When a Greyhound moves, they do so with tremendous grace and elegance. They can turn quickly at great speed without losing momentum or their balance.
For Showing?
The Kennel Club notes any exaggerations or departures from the breed standard and would judge the faults on how much they affect a dog’s overall health and wellbeing as well as their ability to perform.
Males should have both testicles fully descended into their scrotums and it is worth noting that a dog can be a little lighter or heavier as well as slightly taller or shorter than set out in the Kennel Club breed standard which is given as a guideline only.

Greyhound Temperament?

Greyhounds are affectionate and loyal dogs that boast a very gentle side to their nature. They are intelligent and in the right environment and hands, they are easy to train. Once they form a bond with an owner and their family, Greyhounds become valued members of the household and enjoy nothing more than being involved in all that goes on from day to day.
They love to be out and about, but once a Greyhound gets home, they chill out and relax. The only downside to their devotion is that these dogs are prone to suffer from separation anxiety if they are left to their own devices even for shorter periods of time. As such they are a great choice of family pet in a household where one family member usually stays at home when everyone else is out of the house.
Because Greyhounds have quite delicate skin, care must be taken when they are around other dogs and play time gets a bit rough. They also need to sleep on nice thick bedding because of their delicate frames. The other thing to bear in mind is that these dogs feel the cold and therefore should wear a coat when the weather turns cold or when they go out for a walk in wet and windy conditions. They can be a little wary and aloof around strangers, but they rarely show any sort of aggression towards people when they first meet them, preferring to remain a little distance away.

I’ve never had a dog before, should I get a Greyhound?

Greyhounds are not the best choice for first time owners because they need to be trained and handled by people familiar with their specific needs and who have the time to dedicate to such an energetic canine companion. With this said, a Greyhound is very happy to turn into a couch potato once they get home after they’ve been given lots of vigorous exercise. This needs good consideration, and also retired Greyhounds from racing can make THE best family pet, as they are usually so well experienced and just crave being a pampered pet! In the right hands they are so amazing.

Are Greyhounds too “energetic” for me?

Greyhounds have a very high prey drive which means care must be taken as to where and when they can run free off their leads. If a Greyhounds spots anything in the distance that looks interesting enough to chase, they would quickly be off after it, paying little attention to any recall commands.

What about playing?

Greyhounds are known to have a playful side to their natures and they enjoy playing interactive games with the people they love. Greyhounds are built for speed and love nothing more than to chase things down and letting off steam doing something that is deeply embedded in their psyche such as chasing a bouncing ball in all directions!

Do Greyhounds adapt well?

Greyhounds love to be able to express themselves whenever they can by running free off the lead providing it’s in a safe environment. As such, they are better suited to people who have large, secure back gardens with high fencing rather than people who live in apartments. This gain allows them express their innate desire to run as a breed.

What about separation anxiety?

Greyhounds form strong bonds with their families and dogs are never very happy when they find themselves left on their own for longer periods of time. They are better suited to people who either work from home or in households where one person stays at home when everyone else is out so they are never alone for any length of time which could see a dog suffering from separation anxiety. This can lead to them being destructive around the home which is a dog’s way of relieving any stress they are feeling and a way to keep themselves entertained. Therefore, as we always stress at PetBond, you must consider if you can spend time with a Greyhound before ever thinking of sourcing one as a best friend.

Someone told me that Greyhounds bark too much?

Greyhounds are not known to be “barkers” although some of them like to howl when the mood takes them. We often hear of neighbours that report “wailing Greyhounds in the night”! With that said, any Greyhound that’s left on their own for longer periods of time or is unhappy about anything in their environment, could start barking to get someone’s attention and as a way of showing how unhappy they are about the situation.

Do Greyhounds like Swimming?

Some Greyhounds like swimming and will take to the water whenever they can more especially when the weather is hot, but because they have such slight builds they are not terribly buoyant which means they need to be supervised at all times when they are swimming. Anyone who owns a dog that does not like water should never force them to go in because it would just end up scaring them. With this said, care should always be taken when walking a Greyhound off the lead anywhere near more dangerous watercourses just in case a dog decides to leap in and then needs rescuing because they can’t get out of the water on their own.

Will my Greyhound make a good watchdog?

Greyhounds are not natural born watchdogs although this is not to say a dog would not be quick off the mark to let an owner know when there are strangers about although they would rarely do this aggressively, preferring to keep their distance and alert an owner that something they don’t like is going on before retreating out of the way.

Will it be easy to train my Greyhound?

Greyhounds are noble, intelligent dogs and they are known to be quite easy to train. They are always willing to learn new commands, but because they are sensitive dogs by nature, their training should be done gently and carefully to avoid scaring them, especially when they are impressionable puppies. However, their prey drive is very strong and even a well-trained and good behaved Greyhound might just decide to ignore a recall command if they spot something in the distance they think they should chase.

Greyhound puppies are very cute and they are sensitive characters by nature which is why they need to be treated with care. With this said, it would be a mistake to spoil a puppy too much and owners should start out as they mean to go on which means setting down limits and boundaries. This allows puppies to understand what is expected of them although all puppies will test these from time to time. The first commands a puppy should be taught are as follows:
·       Come
·       Sit
·       Stay
·       Quiet
·       Leave it
·       Down
·       Bed

 Are Greyhounds safe with children and other pets?

Greyhounds are gentle characters which is why they make such great family pets, but they do need to be well socialised from a young age for them to be confident, outgoing and well-rounded mature dogs. They seem to have an affinity with children and tend to be on the best behaviour when they are around them. However, any interaction between a dog and the kids should be supervised by an adult to make sure things don’t get too boisterous.
They are usually very good around other dogs, but unless a Greyhound has grown up with a family cat, care should be taken when they are around cats they don’t already know. They should not be trusted with smaller animals because of their high prey drive either. A Greyhound might just see family pets as something they need to chase with disastrous results.
Greyhound Health & Vet Things!

The average life expectancy of a Greyhound is between 9 and 11 years when properly cared for and fed an appropriate good quality diet to suit their ages.
Greyhounds are true athletes having been bred to race and chase prey. As such their build is quite delicate which means they are prone to injuring themselves and more especially this typically involves injuries to their legs. Other health issues that are worth noting if you are hoping to share your home with one of these laid-back hounds include the following:
·       Osteosarcoma
·        Neuropathy- DNA test available
·       Congenital deafness
·       Bloat
·       Skin irritations of the tail
·       Spinal injuries
·       Oesophageal malformations
·       Sensitivity to drugs – can be more common than expected!
When do I vaccinate my Greyhound?

Greyhound puppies would have been given their initial vaccinations before being sold by an approved breeder, but it is up to their new owners to make sure they have their follow-up shots in a timely manner with the vaccination schedule for puppies being as follows:
–     10 -12 weeks old, bearing in mind that a puppy would not have full protection straight away, but would be fully protected 2 weeks after they have had their second vaccination.

There has been a lot of discussion in the media recently about the need for dogs to have boosters. As such, it’s best to talk to a vet before making a final decision on whether a dog should continue to have annual vaccinations which are known as boosters. PetBond does advocate annual boosters, as clinical data would support this policy in the best interests of your pet.

As Vets what do we advise about spaying and neutering?

Many of my veterinary colleagues these days recommend waiting until dogs are slightly older before spaying and neutering them which means they are more mature before undergoing the procedures. As such they advise neutering males and spaying females when they are between the ages of 6 to 9 months old and sometimes even when a dog is 12 months old.
Other vets recommend spaying and neutering dogs when they are 6 months old, but never any earlier unless for medical reasons. With this said, many breeds are different and it is always advisable to discuss things with your local vet and then follow their advice on when a dog should be spayed or neutered.

Will my Greyhound put on weight?

Some Greyhounds gain weight after they have been spayed or neutered and it’s important to keep an eye on a dog’s waistline just in case they do. If a dog starts to put on weight, it’s important to adjust their daily calorie intake and to up the amount of exercise they are given. Older dogs too are more prone to gaining weight and again it’s essential they be fed and exercised accordingly because obesity can shorten a dog’s life by several years. The reason being that it puts a lot of extra strain on a dog’s internal organs including the heart which could prove fatal.

What about allergies?

Greyhounds are prone to suffering from allergies and it’s important for a dog to see a vet sooner rather than later if one flares up, paying special attention to a dog’s tail. Allergies can be notoriously hard to clear up and finding the triggers can be challenging. With this said, a vet would be able to make a dog with an allergy more comfortable while they try to find out the triggers which could include the following:
·       Certain foods especially commercially produced dog food that contains high levels of grain and other cereal fillers
·       Airborne pollens
·       Dust mites
·       Environment
·       Flea and tick bites
·       Chemicals found in everyday household cleaning products

There are many highly accurate tests which can now be performed by your vet to diagnose an underlying allergy.

Participating in health schemes

All safe, ethical and trusted Greyhound breeders would ensure that their stud dogs are tested for known hereditary and congenital health issues known to affect the breed by using the following schemes:
·       Neuropathy- DNA
·      Congenital Deafness – BAER test available

Basic Care for a Greyhound – Need to Know!

As with any other breed, Greyhounds need to be groomed on a regular basis to make sure their coats and skin are kept in tip-top condition. They also need to be given regular daily exercise to ensure they remain fit and healthy. On top of this, they need to be fed good quality food that meets all their nutritional needs throughout their lives.

Caring for a Greyhound puppy

Greyhound puppies are boisterous and full of life which means it’s essential for homes and gardens to be puppy-proofed well in advance of their arrival. A responsible breeder would have well socialised their puppies which always leads to more outgoing, confident and friendly dogs right from the word go. With this said, any puppy is going to feel vulnerable when they leave their mother and littermates which must be taken into account. The longer a puppy can remain with their mother, the better although it should never be for too long either. We have new scientific data that shows how puppies can become too dependent if left with their mother for too long.
It’s best to pick a puppy up when people are going to be around for the first week or so which is the time needed for a puppy to settle in. Puppy-proofing the home and garden means putting away any tools and other implements that a boisterous puppy might injure themselves on. Electric wires and cables must be put out of their reach because puppies love chewing on things. Toxic plants should be removed from flowerbeds and the home too.
Puppies need to sleep a lot to grow and develop as they should which means setting up a quiet area that’s not too out of the way means they can retreat to it when they want to nap and it’s important not to disturb them when they are sleeping. It’s also a good idea to keep “playtime” nice and calm inside the house and to have a more active “playtime” outside in the garden which means puppies quickly learn to be less boisterous when they are inside.
The documentation a breeder provides for a puppy must have all the details of their worming date and the product used as well as the information relating to their microchip. It is essential for puppies to be wormed, and PetBond ensures that all Greyhound breeders meet the highest health and welfare standards.