Grey Hound

Grey Hound Hair & Coat

Grey Hound Health & Care

Greyhounds are generally healthy dogs when compared to other large breeds. These are some common problems that your pet can be prone to.

One of the most common problems in your Greyhound is of bloating. This is caused with the sudden influx of gas and air in the stomach. Though this is not fatal it should be treated early to avoid any complication later. This can also happen because of the twist in the stomach. For this, a surgery is required. This can also happen in cases when the dog is fed once a day. It is recommended that if your dog suffers from bloating then the meals should be broken into two to three meals a day rather than once a day. 

The other common problem is of hypothyroidism which occurs when the thyroid gland produces fewer hormones. The most common symptoms of the disease is obesity, lethargy, dropping eyelids and in females irregular heat cycles. This can be easily treated with medicines. In addition to this, most Greyhounds in general are sensitive to anesthesia. This can be specially related to the breed's low body fat percentage.

Grey Hound Behavior

Greyhounds, contrary to many beliefs, are one of man’s best friends. If you have one at home you would have noticed how this large breed slender dog considers her to be a lapdog. They are intelligent and devoted dogs. Though they can be a little reserved at times but do not take this as a sign of being unfriendly they are just shy to begin with. This is an even temperament dog that was meant to chase their prey so if you have smaller animals in the house ensure regular supervision and socialize early to prevent any unpleasant experiences.

You can easily adopt a retired racing dog and she will be your loyal pet forever. It will not take long for this racing dog to become a couch potato in your home. Greyhounds are very good with children as it is a loving dog but there are times that younger children might not know how to deal with a Greyhound. He has a slender body but it speed and can easily knock down a toddler or infant with his happy wagging tail. They do best with older children. They can survive in every weather. Though large in frame, they can adapt well to apartment living. 

Greyhounds, though a large breed, can adapt very easily to apartment living. Though considered to be the fastest in the dog kingdom they can turn into coach potatoes in apartments. If you want a dog that does not create much noise then this can be the perfect pet as well. They are shy to meet strangers and need time to socialize with children.

A Greyhound can easily be housetrained. This is a great family pet but can, at times, be difficult with young kids. They are timid but their size and pace can often be a little too much for the younger kids. The thing that has to be remembered at all times is that this is a very fast dog. You need to train him to listen to commands to come back to you as you can lose your dog if recall is not adhered to. If you have a yard then it is better to have picket fences around it. 

Your Greyhound will not respond to very cold weather well. So never leave her outside for long during this weather. They do not have fat layer in the body, which makes them vulnerable to rain and cold as their can develop frost bites easily.

Training your Greyhound is fairly easy. They are not very difficult to housetrain also. Even if you are adopting a retired race dog, it will not be difficult to train him or her. They have average intelligence and because of the subtle nature are quick learners. Greyhounds are essentially pack animals. So they will listen mostly to one person in the family whom they see as their master.

The most important thing to train your Greyhound is to train him to respond to recall. This breed is really fast and at times can meet with accidents if not trained well. You can inculcate the recall through a regular and consistent training module. It is also advisable to never take your greyhound without a leash as they might wander off easily.

Greyhound has to be trained to socialize with other animals, especially smaller animals, as they were developed to chase and he or she might either scare them away or just thing that they are prey.

Grey Hound Breeding

Greyhounds are generally a very healthy breed and there are not many complications attached to its breeding. The only hitch is that this breed does not respond well to anesthesia, a common drug given while performing C section. This has to be kept in mind though that this is not very common. An average male and female Greyhound will attain sexual maturity anywhere between six to nine months of age. Though your pet may be is still a little young to breed. 

A dog takes around 18 months to reach his or her full height and structure. It is advisable to breed your dogs after at least two years of age. If you are a first timer at breeding then taking a vet’s help is advisable. You just sit back and enjoy the company of six to eight adorable little puppies, an average litter size of the breed. 

Greyhounds, contrary to their name, come in a variety of colors. This includes fawn, black, red, blue, gray and white. They come in various shades as well right from ranging for brindle to a striped pattern. The Greyhound puppies can be a handful because of their speed. There will be times when your will see your dog running on all fours. When you bring home this little bundle of joy always remember that this is super active dog. Be ready to run around this little pooch all during the day. You cannot leave them alone for long. They love company and can at times easily develop separation anxiety.

Your pet will have very thin skin so remember that it will not fare well in rain and winters and with the absence of body fat it can easily get frost bite. Even minor teeth mark may end up needing stitches so remember that you will take care of your little puppy a little extra than the others.

Grey Hound Appearance

The first thing that will catch your eye is the fragile structure of your Greyhound. The weight is very less when compared to their height. They have a long and narrow head, which broad between the ears. The nose is dark and pointed. Their eyes allow them to see at an angle of 270 degrees, which is twice the size of the humans. The eyes dark, bright and oval and set in the skull obliquely.

The body is broad, square back with well sprung ribs. The greyhound has strong and long muscular things that aid them to garner speed and their feet are fairly long compact and well knuckled with strong pad. In addition to this they have powerful and arched lions.  Greyhounds have small and folded ears that are thrown back. Along with this the tail is long, fine and tapering and is set low with a slight curve.