If you’re looking for a dog that’s very well-tempered, athletic but gentle, then the Greyhound might just be the pup for you! Here’s everything you need to know about the world’s fastest dog.
Breed Snapshot
- Size: Large Dog (27-40kg)
- Coat: Greyhounds have short hair with below average shedding. Their coats are easy to maintain and overall have very little odour. You can use a rubber brush, grooming mitt or soft brush.
- Energy: Even though they’re athletic dogs, they can be couch potatoes. Two walks daily (morning and afternoon) is sufficient.
- Lifespan: 10-15 years
- Country of origin: England and British Isles
- Breed type: There are different types of Greyhounds within the Greyhound family. This includes the Spanish, Arabic, Russian, Afghan, Saluki and Scottish Greyhound. Temperament: Gentle, quiet, intelligent and even-tempered.
- Other names: Greyhound or English Greyhound
- Great breed for: Apartments
What is a greyhound?
Greyhounds are a breed of dog that were originally bred as sighthounds, which are hounds that hunt with sight and speed rather than scent and endurance, and greyhound racing. There has been an increase in popularity with adopting greyhounds since many are retired greyhound racers.
What do greyhounds look like?
Greyhounds have a very distinguishable look. They’re tall, slight, have an athletic build and long faces. Males are usually 71 to 76 centimeters in length while females are 66 to 71 centimeters. Greyhounds generally have short fur and there are about 30 different colour ways including white, brindle, fawn, blue (otherwise known as grey), red and black.
What makes greyhounds special?
Greyhounds are the fastest dogs in the world. They can reach speeds up to 72 km/h when they race. The first recorded attempt at greyhound racing occurred in 1876 in England and in the 1860’s it made its way to Australia. Greyhounds love to run, cuddle, sleep and play. Because they have a low body fat percentage, they’re susceptible to the cold – which means you can dress them up in fun vests and coats.
How often do I need to groom my Greyhound?
Greyhounds have minimal doggy odour and have fine, short hair. This makes it very easy for you! A nice brush weekly is perfect for their fur and a bath a couple times of year will suffice. For the baths, use lukewarm water as greyhounds are prone to feeling cold. They are considered a low maintenance dog when it comes to their grooming.
How often should I walk my Greyhound?
Even though greyhounds are naturally athletic, they need a surprisingly little amount of exercise daily. They can be couch potatoes and are known for being great for people in retirement. Walking them twice daily along with a healthy diet and some play time is perfect for these guys! Post a Job on PetCloud and have a Dog Walker set up a program of recurring dog walks.
How do I train my Greyhound?
Greyhounds are intelligent and can learn your basic tricks (like sit, stay, down etc). They’re sensitive, quiet and peaceful dogs and training them using a reward-based system is the most effective way. A lot of greyhounds are put up for adoption after their racing careers are over and depending on their background, some can be more stressed than others.
Pet Cloud offers dog training sessions in a 6-week, 1 hour session with professional trainers. The trainer comes to your home, making it convenient for you, and will use positive reinforcement in line with RSPCA. Click the link above for more information on training!
Common greyhound questions!
Are greyhounds barkers?
Greyhounds rarely bark and when they do it’s when they’re playing! That’s why they’re perfect for families.
How much does a retired greyhound need to eat?
A combination of high quality kibble (about 2 cups) and fresh meat (250 – 500g) should suffice daily!
Do greyhounds have any health risks?
If you’re adopting a greyhound that had a racing career, they’re more prone to cardiac arrest due to their past racing environment. Depending on their previous conditions, some greyhounds may suffer from anxiety and nervousness. If this is the case, be gentle and patient with your pup! Once greyhounds get to know their human(s), they love to cuddle and be close.
Where can I get a greyhound?
Now that you know all about greyhounds, it’s time to think about introducing one to your family. This is good news! There are many things to consider before bringing your new fur baby home. Do you want to adopt or find a breeder? Adoption is a great option especially for greyhounds that are no longer racing. Check out this guide and learn more about the whole process!
If you want to go the breeder route, there’s tons of information to help you make an informed decision. The RSPCA has an excellent guide to help you find the right breeder!
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