Special Needs of Greyhounds

Greyhounds are one of the oldest dog breeds, and archeologists have found drawings of greyhounds in Egyptian tombs as old as 4,500 years. Greyhounds are large, slender dogs, 2 to 3 feet high and weighing as much as 90 pounds. They are quiet, calm animals that make good pets, even in surprisingly small environments like urban apartments. While not as high-maintenance as other breeds, they still require some special care in order to remain in top physical and mental health.

  1. Exercise

    • For millennia, people have valued greyhounds for their hunting ability and speed. Greyhounds need regular exercise, particularly in the form of walks. Greyhounds should have at least two 30-minute periods of exercise a day to allow them to maintain fitness. Greyhound that get regular exercise will generally have very low energy levels during down times, which is why they make surprisingly good apartment dogs.

    Socialization

    • Greyhounds can be a shy and insecure dog breed, and owners must pay particular attention to a new dog in order to bond and inspire confidence in the animal. Greyhounds can be very sensitive, and need early exposure to noise and people in order to give it experience in these types of situations. If not properly socialized, a greyhound may act very skittish when confronted with many people or loud noises.

    Small Animals

    • Greyhounds typically respond very gently to toddlers and children, and when trained and socialized well, they are very patient and kind dogs. However, greyhounds are bred to hunt, and they may have difficulty breaking these natural instincts around small pets living in households. This includes cats, guinea pigs and other common pet animals. While a greyhound may not actively attack these animals, she may fall back on her instinct to hunt them, chasing them around the house.

    Health

    • Unlike some specialty breeds, greyhounds do not have extensive health issues associated with the breed. However, some characteristics of greyhounds lend themselves to specific health issues. Their thin bones can break easily, and their thin skins need regular, if not extensive, brushing to maintain coat health. Some greyhounds, particularly those bred for show, may have problems with hip dysplasia.