Greyhound Dog Breed Information:
Greyhounds were originally bred as hunting dogs to chase hare, foxes, and deer. Canines in this dog breed can reach speeds of 40 to 45 miles per hour, making them the Ferraris of the dog world. Not surprisingly, Greyhounds made a name for themselves as racing dogs.
Greyhound Dog Group: Hound Dogs.
Greyhound Height: 2 feet, 1 inch to 2 feet, 6 inches tall at the shoulder.
Greyhound Weight: 50 to 85 pounds.
Greyhound Life Span: 12 to 15 years.
More About This Dog Breed:
Greyhound should never be allowed to run off leash except in a securely fenced area. Greyhounds have a strong prey drive and will take off after a rabbit or squirrel before you even see it. Greyhounds are generally a loving breed and affectionate to their people. Usually this friendliness extends to strangers, but they can be aloof with some or all strangers. Because of their thin coats, Greyhounds can get the shivers. If you live in a cold climate, buy a warm coat for your dog to wear in snow or rain.
Greyhound History:
Greyhounds are the oldest purebred dog, dating to the time of the Pharaohs. The first records of greyhound type dogs appear about 8,000 years ago. In ancient Egypt, greyhounds were revered as gods, and only royalty were allowed to own them. Greyhounds found their way into Europe during the Dark Ages. They were so respected for their hunting prowess that the laws of the time protected royal game reserves by forbidding anyone living within 10 miles of the king's forests from owning a Greyhound.
Greyhound Size:
Racing Greyhounds are usually 25 to 29 inches tall, and show Greyhounds are slightly larger, at 26 to 30 inches in height. In both types, males typically weigh 65 to 85 pounds, females 50 to 65 pounds, with racing dogs tending toward the lower end of the scale.
Greyhound Personality:
Greyhounds generally have a wonderful temperament, being friendly and non-aggressive, although some can be aloof toward strangers. Give them a treat, though, and they're likely to become a friend for life. They're intelligent and independent, even catlike in many ways. Temperament is affected by a number of factors, including heredity, training, and socialization.
Also Read This : All Dog Breeds - Names and Pictures | Complete List of Dog Profiles
Greyhound Health:
Greyhounds are generally healthy, but like all breeds, they're prone to certain health conditions. Not all Greyhounds will get any or all of these diseases:
Hypothyroidism.
Anesthesia Sensitivity.
Osteosarcoma.
Gastric Torsion (Bloat).
Greyhound Care:
Greyhounds are fairly low energy dogs, but they still need and enjoy a daily walk. If they aren't exercised regularly, they can become bored, which may lead to destructive behavior. Greyhounds can become overweight, which is bad for their health. It's common for a retired racing Greyhound to gain roughly 5 pounds after retirement, but he shouldn't be allowed to gain any more than that. Training your Greyhound, whether adopted as an adult or bought as a puppy, should begin as soon as he's home. Greyhounds are generally easy to housetrain.
Greyhound Feeding:
Recommended daily amount: Males, 2.5 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals; females, 1.5 to 3 cups.
Greyhound Coat Color And Grooming:
Greyhounds have a short, smooth coat that's easy to care for. Despite their name, they can be any color, including fawn, black, red, blue, gray, or white. Brush them daily to keep shedding at a manageable level. Greyhounds tend to have poor dental health, so regular brushing is a must if you want them to have sweet breath and no ugly tartar buildup. Trim his nails once or twice a month if your dog doesn't wear them down naturally to prevent painful tears and other problems.
Greyhound with Children And Other Pets:
Greyhounds can be patient with children and have been known to step delicately around toddlers, but they do best in homes with older children who know how to act around dogs. Although Greyhounds do very well with other dogs, they can view smaller dogs, cats, or other small pets as prey, especially if the animals run from them.