The Greyhound
Is a Greyhound Right For You?
The Greyhound is a wonderful breed with the tragic ability to run fast.
Many owners use the animals to compete in races and put them down when
they loose too many races. These animals also make wonderful pets and many
are rehabilitated by Greyhound rescues.
Before adopting a displace Greyhound it is important to talk to the rescue
about problems new dog owners face. Racing dogs are trained to chase down
a mechanical rabbit and will have difficulty differentiating between a
rabbit and a small dog or cat. This breed does better as single pets.
While these animals are full grown they are not housebroken and have no
idea of household etiquette.
The AKC classifies the Greyhound in the Hound Group. These dogs were first
discovered in ancient Egypt where they were used to run down prey. Soon
the dogs came to England where they became popular as racers with British
Noblemen. Eventually Greyhounds found their way to America where their
owners continued racing them.
Greyhounds are large and powerfully built. They have long legs and narrow
bodies and are nearly all muscle. They have dark eyes and a long tail.
Greyhounds can be any color.
While Greyhounds are capable of developing
incredible speed, they are not high energy animals. Between
races the dogs conserve their energy for the next race by
lounging around. This breed requires a fenced yard with room
to run. Dogs that live in apartments can be trained to walk on
a leash without a great deal of trouble.
This breed is friendly and sociable. They love to spend time
with family and are quite playful. Greyhounds enjoy children
and are known to be very gentle with them. They also get along
well with other dogs. It is important to keep an eye on this
breed if there are other pets in the home because the prey
instinct could be hard to resist.
This dog requires high quality food to fuel their muscular
bodies. They are prone to bloat so do not overfeed the animal
or allow it to overeat. Several small meals are better for
this breed than one large meal. Ask a veterinarian about
adequate portion size for this breed. A good vitamin
supplement is also a good idea for this breed.
Grooming is easy with this breed. Greyhounds have a short
sleek coat that does not shed greatly. Brushing the animal
once a week should be sufficient. The nails should be trimmed
if they can be heard tapping on the floor when the dog walks.
Greyhounds are a great pet choice for those that are not
easily overwhelmed and are willing to persevere.
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