Learning About Greyhounds – Rescue Greyhounds
Breed overview
Height: Males (71-76cm) – Females (68-71cm)
Weight: Males(29-36kg) – Females (27-31kg)
Some lines are larger and have reached the (40-45kg) range.
Life Expectancy: About 10-12 years
Temperament:
The greyhound is brave, and devoted, intelligent, laid back, charming and loving. As a rule, they are gentle and even-tempered both racing lines and show lines. Indoors, these dogs are calm and socialable to a point where they can even be considered lazy. The bond strongly with their own people, have tremendous stamina, and do not bark much.
Living Conditions
Exercise
The greyhound will do okay in an apartment if they get enough exercise. They are relatively inactive indoors and a small yard will do. Greyhounds are sensitive to the cold but do well in cold climates as long as they wear a coat outside. Do not let this dog off the leash unless in a safe area, they have a strong instinct and if they spot an animal such as a rabbit they just might take off. They are so fast you will not be able to catch them.
Greyhounds that are kept as pets should have regular opportunities to run free on open ground in a safe area, as well as daily walks where the dog is made to heel beside or behind the person holding the lead. In a dog’s mind the leader leads the way and that leader needs to be the human. Greyhounds love a regular routine.
Grooming
Muzzles
Health Problems
The smooth, short-haired coat is very easy to groom. Simply comb and brush with a firm bristle brush, and dry shampoo only when necessary. This breed is an average shedder. Greyhounds do not have undercoats and thus are less likely to trigger people’s dog allergies.
As of 23 December 2021, pet greyhounds in a public place are still required to be on a lead but are not required to wear a muzzle.
It is better to feed greyhounds 2 or 3 small meals per day rather than one large one. They are sensitive to drugs, including insecticides.
Learning about Greyhounds as Pets
Your greyhound may take a couple of weeks to adjust to family life. All they have ever known is a kennel with a running pen at the bottom of the paddock.
The greyhound needs an even tempered, gentle but firm loving owner who knows how to consistently communicate the rules of the home. A greyhound who knows his place in his pack and what is expected of him is a happy greyhound.
Greyhound Adoptions WA, provides ongoing support for you and your greyhound.
Learning about Myths and Greyhounds
There are many Myths surrounding the greyhound and most are all totally unfounded.
The greyhound is one of, if not the most docile breed of dog on earth. This can be attributed to the fact that they are also the oldest and purest breed of dog known to man, dating back as far as 6000 B.C.
During their racing careers greyhounds wear muzzles to protect their soft mouths from being injured whilst racing,as sometimes there maybe a clash of heads and it can take considerable time for such a wound to heal. While it is true the greyhound has been specifically bred to chase, it is totally false to suggest that they will automatically chase down small dogs believing them to be rabbits,in fact it is usually the small dog who will intimidate the greyhound, it is doubtful if the majority of greyhounds today have ever seen a rabbit, coursing, once popular, ceased many years ago.Many greyhounds are in fact small dog and indeed cat friendly.
Another Myth is that the dogs need a huge amount of space to run in, also false. The average suburban backyard is quite sufficient, as is a small yard in a villa unit, remember these dog’s racing careers are over.All that is required is a little regular exercise, a 20 minute walk in the morning and afternoon is all that is required.
Greyhounds do not require a special type of bed either, during their careers they sleep on a hessian mat laid out on a concrete floor. all they require is a reasonably comfortable soft bed that are readily available from pet suppliers at moderate cost.
The diet of the greyhound is not specific either, a good quality dry dog food, fresh chicken carcasses or pieces such as wings and nibbles readily available from supermarkets (uncooked),or good quality pet mince mixed with pasta and fresh or cooked vegetables is all that is needed, a treat every now and then such as beef flavored rawhide is a great favorite and helps keep their teeth clean.
Greyhounds do not smell, moult very little, and due to not having an undercoat are less likely to trigger allergies, they have an uncanny love of children not seen in other breeds and bond very strongly with their new found family once they have settled in. During the warmer months they need fresh water and a cool place in the garden, in the colder weather they may need a coat and should be kept indoors in a place such as the laundry. Greyhounds bring a sense of calm to the household due to their nature and are one of the most loyal and affectionate pets anyone could ever hope to own. Just ask a greyhound owner.
Learn about facts and Greyhounds
There are many interesting facts about greyhounds, the greyhound Adoptions WA inc have put together a list of facts to help you know more about your greyhound.
- Greyhounds are one of the oldest pure breeds of dogs, and appear in Art and Literature throughout history.
- The first traces of the greyhound type were found in the ancient city of Catal-Huyuk, which is located in what is now southern Turkey. Temple drawings there date to 6000 B.C.
- A Funerary Vase discovered in what is now Iran, was decorated with the image of greyhounds, this vase was dated to around 4000 B.C. Obviously they were held in high esteem to be added to such a personal item.
- An ancient Egypt greyhounds were kept as companions as well as hunting partners, and were practically worshipped. The Egyptians valued their greyhounds so much that the birth of one was second in importance only to the birth of a son.
- Greyhounds were mummified and buried along with their owners, the walls of the tombs were often decorated with images of their favourite greyhounds.
- When a pet greyhound died, the entire Egyptian family would mourn by shaving their heads fasting and wailing.
- Greyhounds are the only breed of dog mentioned in the bible (proverbs 30; 29-31).
- The legendary Greek hero Alexander the Great owned a greyhound called Peritas.
- The first dog mentioned in literature was a greyhound, in the Odyssey, Homer told the storey of Odysseus who had been away from home for twenty years, upon his return the only one who recognized him was his greyhound, Argus who was only a pup when he left.
- The ancient Romans and their Gods and Goddesses also had greyhounds.
- During the Middle Ages when there was famine and pestilence the greyhounds alomost became extinct. They were saved by clergyman who protected them and bred them for Nobleman.
- English law from the 11th to the 14th Century decreed that only Noblemen could own or hunt with a greyhound.
- During the reign of King Canute in the 11th Century no mean person was allowed to keep a greyhound, any infraction was severly dealt with, punishment by death.
- In Wales in the 10th Century King Howel decreed that anyone who killed a greyhound would receive the same punishment as if they had killed a person, punishment was death.
- In the USA greyhounds are rated in the top ten as the most popular pets.
- In Britain racing Rule 18 stipulates that the owners are responsible for the proper provision of the welfare of their greyhound upon retirement.