Greyhound Dog Breed

AKC Dog Breeds: Greyhound

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Hound Group
Height: 27-30 inches Weight: 60-70 pounds Color: Brown, white, black tan, grey

The Greyhound originates from Egypt, and his ancestry dates back to the days of Ancient Egypt. The breed was used to hunt large animals such as deer and wolves. These days, the Greyhound makes for a good family pet and is also used for racing. The breed was registered with the AKC in 1885. They became the basis for what would soon become a fearsome hunting dog the ability to run down game without stopping. They were also prized for ability as a sight hound as well and have been selected for a long time to have a noble carriage when not actually on the hunt but ready to leap into action at a moment's notice. The breed itself is known to have been the companion of nobility from the 16th century onward; achieving particular fame in Great Britain during the 19th century when dog shows first became popular. Since the early 20th century there have been essentially two breeds of Greyhound that are registered with separate stud books: racing dogs and show dogs. As such, they differ with the show dogs typically making better companion animals because they have fewer congenital disorders later in life.

General Appearance
The Greyhound is a sleek, contoured dog built for speed with a very deep chest and an extraordinarily flexible, curved spine. The head is long with almost no stop and the muzzle tapers. The skull is wide between the ears. The small rose ears are folded back. The eyes are dark and the neck is long and graceful. The front legs are absolutely straight. The hindquarters are very powerful and muscular with an arched loin. The long tail is carried low and has a slight upward curve at the end. The short, smooth coat comes in all dog colors.

Temperament
The Greyhound is an agile, graceful, and determined dog, and this breed is best known for its racing abilities and is a racetrack dog. Friendly and gentle yet lively and fun, the Greyhound is a sweet and sensitive creature, and enjoys the peaceful life but also enjoys the companionship of his loved ones. This said, the Greyhound is not a clingy dog and is independent, serious, and sensible. These docile dogs are the fastest of all the breeds, and will need to be given the space to run a few times each week. However, the exercise requirements for the breed are not overly excessive, and the Greyhound will enjoys spending time relaxing providing he gets the chance to run in a safe area on a regular basis. The Greyhound gets along well with children, although he is best around older and more considerate children. He also tends to get along okay with other animals, although he can be a chaser when it comes to smaller dogs and other small animals - early socialization is recommended. With strangers the Greyhound can be quite reserved yet polite. The Greyhound is a dog that is best suited to a peaceful environment, and although effective training is important owners should be calm and positive with this breed and never demanding or harsh. One thing to watch out for with the Greyhound is his tendency to steal toys and food.

Grooming
The Greyhound's coat is very short and sleek, which doesn't require much grooming. Brushing is minimal, however brushing with a firm bristle brush or a rub down with a rough towel or a rubber glove will remove any dead or loose hair that may be present. This average shedding breed should not be bathed too often, as it will remove the natural oils from the coat and skin, taking away the weather resistance the coat of this breed retains. Since they have floppy ears (rose ears, they're called), they will benefit from regular ear cleaning. This can be very carefully accomplished with a gauze pad used to gingerly wipe around the outside of the ear

Health Problems and Life Expectancy
The lifespan of the Greyhound is around 9-14 years, and there are a number of health problems that have been associated with this breed. Some of the health issues to look out for include thyroid problems, bloat, PRA, digestive problems, bleeding disorders, and allergies to drugs and chemicals.

Activity Level
These dogs love to run. The Greyhound loves to run and needs quite a bit of exercise on a daily basis. A fenced in yard is a must, and it should be at least of average size. Long walks are also necessary to keep this dog healthy and active. The Greyhound has the tendency to chase things because of his strong prey instinct, so he should always be kept on lead or in a safe and fenced in area or he will be sure to run off when he gets the chance. This breed should always have at least 2 hours of daily exercise per day, as he is very agile and fast.

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