River the galgo and Hobbes the greyhound
Introduction to the breed: Greyhounds are a historic breed, made unique by their noble shape and loyal personalities.
Keywords: speedy, couch potato, lazy, loyal, nervous, trainable, low maintenance, gentle, people-pleasers, loving, clean, goofy
Traits:
Maggie the majestic
Greyhounds tend to be intelligent creatures, and are eager to please. This makes them wonderful companions for many different families and easily trainable.
Whilst they are large in size they are a gentle and quiet breed, and may only show their goofy side to those they trust. Greyhounds are known to be more nervous than other breeds. They will need reassurance from those they trust in new and scary situations.
They are magnets for any soft surface, be prepared to share your sofa! When they are particularly pleased, they will turn upside down and flail their limbs in the air. This is called ‘roaching’.
Hobbes the mighty
Exercise:
Surprisingly, they don’t need very much! Greyhounds are happy to sleep away the day, with a couple of twenty minute walks around the block in between. They are the perfect dog for people working from home, as they are quite happy living the couch potato life whilst you work.
When they get moving, they can really move! If your hound has good recall or you have a nearby enclosed field, try to let them off at least once a week for a run. You will never, ever tire of watching them gleefully sprint circles around you.
Many greyhounds recognise their own, and are keen to play and chase one another.
Lots of greyhounds may have a high prey drive, meaning they will find it hard to resist chasing after something. Squirrels and cats are a particular favourite. You will need to be really aware of this if you adopt a greyhound, especially an ex-racing hound. It is completely normal to use a muzzle, at least until you know your dog’s chasing triggers better.
Having said this, it is possible to train them to resist giving chase and to get on with smaller animals if socialised. Lots of hounds live with cats and small children just fine.
Their bodies are designed for short bursts of speed, and not known for their stamina. With this in mind they make excellent dogs for 1-2 hour mini adventures, but most won’t be happy to carry on longer than this without some rest.
Health:
‘Houndcidents’: Greyhounds are very accident prone. Their skin is extremely thin and they do not have much fur, so will easily cut and tear. Often your hound may appear back from a zoomie with a cut… or twenty. Stocks of hibiscrub or other antiseptic and wound glue is highly recommended.
Coat: As their coats are extremely thin, they will need layers on in wet and cold weather. The rule of thumb is ‘if you need a jumper, so does your hound’. Gorgeous anoraks, light layers, jumpers and heavy duty coats are available all over the web, for around £30 (as well as ridiculous festive costumes and dinosaur onesies).
Collars: Sighthounds have the unique problem of having a head just about as wide as their necks. You will need to buy a sighthound or martingale collar, which won’t slip off.
Teeth: Greyhounds, especially ex-racing - may often suffer with bad teeth. If your hound will tolerate it they will need to have their teeth brushed. Tooth gels and dental sticks are extremely helpful if you have a nervous hound who can’t cope with a teeth brushing.
Lots of insurers don’t cover dental treatment. Depending on the state of your dog’s teeth and their history, this may be something to look out for.
Worming/Fleas/Ticks: Like all dogs, they will need 1-3 monthly worming treatments. Ticks are easily spotted with their thin fur. Flea collars might work best for nervous dogs who don’t tolerate fiddling.
Grooming: Greyhounds are (almost) self-cleaning! Unless they like to bathe in mud, your hound will only need a bath once a year. They shed minimally, a quick brush very occasionally might be all that’s needed. Their nails are naturally long on their front paws, but will need regular trimming unless they erode away on pavement walks.
If you choose to adopt or foster a racing greyhound, they may come with their own unique health needs and difficult backgrounds. Make sure to ask about their history and any details of injuries, in case the rehoming centre has a log of this information.
Why you will never have another breed again:
Their loving personalities will win you over quickly, if their gorgeous faces haven’t already.
However, what really sets them apart is their use in greyhound racing. Whilst it could be made safe and fun for greyhounds, it just isn’t. Racing greyhounds become critically injured or are killed on race tracks and treated poorly in kennels. Despite this treatment being well-known, greyhounds have no legal protection and are classified as cattle.
Whilst this is very sad, it makes their breed one of the most deserving of love and care you will ever find.
Comparison to other breeds:
Sighthounds are such a unique breed group, most obviously for their lanky, lithe bodies and long noses. You will be stopped by admirers wherever you go!
There is a camaraderie between other sighthound owners. There is a wonderful Sighthound group in the Dog Friendly Dorset community, for example!
Greyhounds are on the larger scale for the sighthound group. They have a noble history, dating back thousands of years. Their unfortunate history used in racing also sets them apart.
They are also lazier than other sighthounds, requiring less walking and more sleeping. Greyhounds can rest for up to 20 hours a day, if given the chance!
Average life expectancy: 12-15 years
Average weight: 25-40kg. Males tend to be quite a bit taller and broader than females.
Ups of breed: Gorgeous, loving and loyal personalities – your best friend guaranteed. Low maintenance. Community with other sighthound owners.
Downs of breed: Likelihood of nervousness, prey drive. Their large size needs to be considered, as their food will cost more than a smaller sized canine and they will need more space out and about in your car, at pubs and cafés, and on your sofa!
Written by: Jo Lucas and Maggie
This is Maggie, an ex-racing greyhound. Maggie was given over to a rescue centre after suffering from seizures on the race track. She was extremely nervous of everything and had been treated poorly in kennels.
She bonded with me from the moment she entered my home, despite not knowing how to cross a doorway or walk up the stairs. She has needed a lot of training to learn more about the world, but it has been priceless to see her grow in confidence and find her sweet, goofy personality.
Maggie
Hobbes
You can buy a wonderful homemade dog organiser here!
This is Maggie, an ex-racing greyhound. Maggie was given over to a rescue centre after suffering from seizures on the race track. She was extremely nervous of everything and had been treated poorly in kennels.
She bonded with me from the moment she entered my home, despite not knowing how to cross a doorway or walk up the stairs. She has needed a lot of training to learn more about the world, but it has been priceless to see her grow in confidence and find her sweet, goofy personality.
Here’s one for #sighthoundsweek …my greyhound Peach and her complete lack of personal space, not only laid on top of me but inside my hoodie 🙈 feel like a kangaroo 😂
Mais Hawkins