Dog BreedsA Guide For Choosing Your Ideal Dog |
The GreyhoundThe Greyhound is a breed with the tragic ability to run fast. This has lead most Greyhound owners to use their dogs to compete in races and the vast majority of those owners will put them down when they loose too many times. However, these dogs can also be wonderful pets and some of them are rehabilitated by Greyhound rescue centers. Before you open your heart and home to a displaced Greyhound, you should talk to the rescue center about the problems new dog owners face. Racing Greyhounds are trained to chase down a mechanical rabbit. Unfortunately, they don't always differentiate between a rabbit and a small dog or cat so they do far better as single pets. In addition, as their previous owners didn't aquire them for pets but were only interested in the dog making them money they would have been kenneled between races so are unlikely to be potty trained and will not have any idea of household etiquette. The Greyhound is classified as a member of the Hound Group by the American Kennel Club. These dogs first appeared in ancient Egypt, where they were used to run down prey. When they came to England, they became common with British noblemen, who began racing them. Greyhounds traveled to America, where their owners continued this popular sport. Greyhounds are large, powerfully built dogs. They have long legs and narrow bodies. These dogs are all muscle. Greyhounds have dark eyes and a long, graceful tail and unlike many other breeds, a Greyhound can be any color. Greyhounds are capable of developing an incredible speed, but they are not actually high energy dogs. In between races, these dogs are the ultimate canine couch potato and also tend to sleep for the vast majority of the time. They need a fenced yard so they have room to run, although dogs that live in apartments adapt to walking on a leash without too much trouble. While on that subject I should point out that with a Greyhound you cannot use a choke chain or a halty type training restraint, or an extendable lead as this could result in injury to you dog and sometimes you. They also require a specific leather collar which is far wider than with normal dogs, together with a standard length lead made from leather or nylon. The other consideration while taking your Greyhound for walks in the park is not to be tempted to let them off the lead as if they see a rabbit or squirrel they'll be out of your sight and long gone within seconds. Greyhounds are friendly, sociable dogs. They love to spend time with their family and are very playful. They like nothing better than snuggling up on the couch beside their owners all evening long. Greyhounds enjoy playing with children and are very gentle with them. They also play well with other dogs. You will need to keep a close eye on your dog if you have other pets, since the hunting prey instinct may be too hard to resist. Greyhounds need plenty of fuel for their bodies. You will need to feed your dog a high quality dog food. However, since these dogs are prone to bloat, do not allow your dog to overeat. This is one of the very, very few breeds where it is natural to just make out their ribs when viewed from the side, and if they aren't visable then your dog is overweight and needs to be put on a diet. For greyhounds several small meals are better for his health than one large meal. Consult your veterinarian to find out how much you should feed your dog at each meal. A good vitamin supplement is also a good idea for these dogs. Grooming a Greyhound is simple, since these dogs have a short, sleek coat that does not shed heavily. Brushing your Greyhound once a week should be sufficient. You may also want to trim his nails if they are tapping on the floor when he walks. Owning one of these dogs can be overwhelming at first. However, if you are willing to persevere, you can end up with a wonderful, devoted family pet for many years to come. If you do like the idea of a Greyhound as your pet but feel this breed is just too big for you, then the ideal alternative would be to consider it's smaller cousin the Whippet. |
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