Greyhounds are refined , lanky , and sweet - tempered dogs that are beloved for their tender demeanor and sleepy personalities . When they are not snuggle on the lounge , these hunting hounds have it away farsighted walks and chasing after squirrel that catch their eye . greyhound ' chronicle as hasten hot dog belies the fact that they savour the deadening lane comforts of biography and make excellent folk ducky .
Despite their repute as the earth ’s fastest domestic dog , they are often dub " 40 - miles per hour - lounge potatoes " because they are absolutely content to lounge around the theater or accompany proprietor on a leisurely pass . greyhound are often describe as big cat - like because of their regal , graceful behavior .
Appearance
Theselarge houndsweigh between 60–70 Syrian pound , but they are flowing and carry almost no body fat . A greyhound’snatural coating is short — providing very little passion in the winter or insulation in the summertime — and its tint can spanblack , ashen , blue , and red tobrindleand dun .
Originally bred for sighthunting , greyhound have an exceptional scope of imaginativeness . On walks , their wide - set center are prominent and alert as they search for scampering rabbit up to a half - statute mile away . While humans only have about a 180 - level ambit of vision , greyhounds gas a 270 - degree range of vision — and their keen ability to spot neighborhood squirrel helps them live up to their sighthound origin .
greyhound are much larger than their first cousin , theItalian greyhound . While both slim breeds are mild - mannered and loving in nature , their dispute begin with their height . The greyhound stands around 27–30 inch tall and far exceed the Italian greyhound , which only reaches 13–15 column inch .
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Temperament
While a greyhound ’s personality can vary based on his lineage , he is by and large an even - mollify , mellow dog who enjoys relaxation as much as humans . Given the breed ’s sight - hunt down background , greyhound have ahigh prey driveand can prosecute small animals that might catch their centre on a walking — but they are trainable with a little solitaire ( pluspositive reward ) and make excellent dog for ripe families or empty nesters .
" There ’s a grounds why there ’s almost a rage - like pursual . They are wonderful dogs . They are really punishing to beat as a pet , " read Kimberly Fritzler , manager ofWindrock LLC , which is recognized by the American Kennel Club ( AKC ) as a platinum breeder of deservingness for greyhounds . " Even though they are a big dog , they do n’t act like one . "
Once a greyhound is contribute home , he may need some time to acclimate to his new environment and bond with his menage . It ’s peculiarly important to be patient with rescued greyhounds whenintroducing them to new environmentsand other animals , tell Heather Venkat , DVM in Tempe , Ariz. and consultant withVIP puppy .
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" greyhound are very sweet dogs , but folk take care to adopt one should know that many greyhound only experience life on the raceway , " Venkat says . " Therefore , greyhounds may be more scared or nervous in new situations , want a lot of time and patience to introduce them to casual objects like railroad car , stair , and toy . "
Living Needs
Like most large dog , greyhound take afenced - in yardwith plenty of space to drift . While greyhounds often have a report for being all - too - willing couch potatoes ( and they oftenarelater in life ) , these hounds still need an enclosed yard that let them to explore and safely sprint after any wildlife that catches their eye — without the opening of run out of their K .
Even with a backyard , greyhound should not be look to rest outside for long periods of fourth dimension because they are not designed for extreme weather . These frump are naturally lissome with body fat that ’s far lower than most other stock and short pelt , so owners need toinvest in a wintertime dog coatto protect them against cold atmospheric condition , even on unforesightful walks . In the summer , greyhound can not be leave out of doors for recollective period of time because they do not have a pelage that insulates them from the estrus and can besusceptible to heat debilitation .
Greyhounds are social creature . While they can be left alone for short geological period and prise their independence , they are happier with companionship , both with two- and four - legged family unit members . But because of their lanky flesh , young greyhounds who are only a few months old can be injured by high - free energy dogs during play , so it ’s important to surround them withdogs who share their gentle demeanor .
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" Even an older bounder could actually hurt them quite badly . People see them and think that because of their size , they are mature enough , but they are n’t , " Fritzler tell . " They have no soundbox fatty . "
Care
While greyhounds are indoor dogs , they stillneed daily walks for workout . Despite their reputation as world - renowned sprinters , greyhound are not naturally well - beseem for long - aloofness run . impart their sensitive joints and increase risk for overheating , most greyhound are better built for owners who want at leisure daily walks follow by lounge cuddling .
" They are the fastest of our canines , but they are not a trot hound , " Fritzler says . " If you require to go for nice , tenacious walks , then they are secret plan — particularly if there are squirrel in the area they can look at . But to run away forever , pounding on concrete ? No . "
Even with their love offrequent drill , greyhounds should not be advance to play immediately after consume a meal because of their predisposition forbloating and torsion , a consideration when the abdomen twist on itself . proprietor will need to supervise their greyhounds after a meal to assure they are not experiencing gastric problem that can wrench baneful .
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Dani Edgerton , president of theGreyhound Club of Americaand a evidence dog flight simulator in Columbiana , Ohio , says a greyhound is potential bloating if he is suffer with an arched back , can not get comfortable , and has a heavy stomach . Once a greyhound bloats , he ’s at a eminent risk of his tummy twisting and needs to see a veterinarian immediately .
" Be careful when you feed them , and make love the signs , " Edgerton say . " Bloat cases can be deliver if they are caught in clip . "
physical exertion and meal - time needs aside , greyhounds are quite well-heeled to care for when it get along togrooming . They are clean , low - odor dogs who do not drool to a fault . Their thin coats and slight frames just require asoft brush or gentle brushing gloveto minimizeseasonal shedding . And , like all wienerwurst , theirnails take to be trimmedso they do n’t clack across the level .
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Health
A good for you greyhound will go between 10–14 days , making the stock a wonderfullong - term companion . Fritzler advise aspiring greyhound owner to work with recognized breeders who belong to the Greyhound Club of America — the national breed baseball club for greyhound within the AKC — to ensure they are bringing home a healthy dog .
This breed can be predispose to a few health issue , includingarthritisand hip trouble that can often be handle with avet - recommended dog joint supplement . Other topic — including the potency for inherit heart problems andeye conditions — are harder to treat and involve to be discover early .
" I ca n’t say this enough : Get your puppy from a reputable breeder . If you corrupt from a person that is a member of the AKC Greyhound Club of America , we are all bound by a computer code of ethics , so you have some protection , " Fritzler state . " If you ’re run low to buy a puppy from a stock breeder , do n’t buy one that does n’t have wellness screening with verifiable results online . "
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Fritzler recommends that potential greyhound owners ask breeders to show the results of a cardiac rating from theOrthopedic Foundation for beast , an middle test from theCanine Eye Registry Foundation , and ask whether the dogs have been screened for a neurologic disorder call neuropathy . Former racing greyhounds are also at a higher risk for anaggressive ivory cancer called osteosarcoma , which can not be screen for , but owners should be aware of the risk .
History
The greyhound is believed to be among the oldest specie of hotdog , with depictions of the strain appearing in ancient Egypt and ancient Greece , according to the AKC . Early greyhounds were used for their power to hunt by sight — a skill that was enhance by prodigious speed that allowed them to catch rabbits and other prey . Greyhounds were recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885 .
Renowned for their one and only focal ratio , greyhound started being used as racing animals in the 1900s . According to the National Greyhound Adoption Program , greyhound racing began in California in 1919 and then diffuse to 13 other states . Butrecent laws against dog racingin several State — including Florida and Iowa — are expected to importantly diminish the modern greyhound racing industry and the availability of retired track dogs .
Traditionally , K of former racing greyhounds have been take on out to base every year in the United States . But , the Modern Torah combined with a general decline in interest around dog racing may reduce the number of ex - racing - pedigree blackguard . Though the issue could decrease , requirement for greyhounds is still strong .
" They ’re grand dogs and good in almost all situation , " Edgerton tell . " If you ’re get a puppy , you do n’t have to occupy about them with Kid and you’re able to coach them . They aregood at agilityand obedience and most things … I would say that the primary issue is that there just are n’t that many available . "
Greyhound Dogs: Fast Facts
greyhound : heart in the Back of Their Heads . National Purebred Dog Day .
ofttimes ask Questions about Greyhounds . Greyhound Club of America .
Greyhound Racing in the US . National Greyhound Adoption Program .
The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end . National Geographic .
As racing ends , thousands of Greyhounds to need homes . AVMA .
