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Breed Spotlights
Greyhound
Life Expectancy: 10 – 12 years
Dog Breed Group: Hound Dogs
Weight: 50 – 85 lbs.
Height: 25 – 30 inches
Where Does the Greyhound Rank?
See where this beloved breed ranks in comparison to other breeds in 7 key categories.
Trainability
The Greyhound is a relatively easy-to-train breed due to his eager to please and loving personality.
Shedding Friendliness
The Greyhound is a moderate shedder compared to other dog breeds.
Ease of Grooming
Despite the Greyhound’s short coat, they are still a moderate shedder and should be brushed daily to keep shedding manageable. A rubber curry brush is the easiest brush to use when brushing your Greyhound. Using a dry dog shampoo is recommended to keep his coat clean.
Health
Greyhounds are more prone to the following conditions than many other dog breeds: bloat, bone cancer, heart conditions, allergies, eye issues, and deafness.
Exercise Needs
Your Greyhound, surprisingly, is a low-energy dog. They should still be provided with 30-60 minutes of exercise daily to prevent the development of destructive behavior.
Good with Children
The Greyhound is very good with children and quickly becomes part of the family.
Barking Restraint
Barking is not generally a problem with Greyhound dogs.
What You Need to Know About Greyhound Dogs
Behavior
Greyhounds are extremely friendly, non-aggressive dogs. They may be wary of strangers; however, once they are introduced to you, they become your best friend. They are extremely intelligent and very independent. They are quite sensitive and react to emotions of their pet parent.
Their overall temperament depends upon several factors including training, socialization and genetics. If you are able to choose a puppy, choose a puppy who is curious and playful. This puppy is likely to be the most well-rounded of all of the puppies in the litter.
Socialization is crucial in this breed. If not properly socialized, this breed can easily become extremely timid and fearful of situations. If not properly socialized, they may also have problems adapting to varied environments and situations.
Training
The Greyhound is a relatively easy-to-train breed. This is initially why the breed was chosen for racing and coursing.
Grooming
Despite the Greyhound’s short coat, they are still a moderate shedder and should be brushed daily to keep shedding manageable. A rubber curry brush is the easiest brush to use when brushing your Greyhound. Using a dry dog shampoo is recommended to keep his coat clean.
Health Problems
Bloat – Bloat is most commonly seen in large, deep-chested dogs. Bloat is a life-threatening condition which needs to be examined by a veterinarian immediately. Bloat may occur if your dog eats too quickly or drinks large amounts of water at a time.
Bone cancer (osteosarcoma) – Dogs that have bone cancer may appear tired or will begin refusing food. They may also show signs of joint pain, including swelling or lameness.
Allergies – Greyhounds often have food or skin allergies. Greyhounds with a lighter colored coat are more prone to allergies. Environmental contributors to allergies include: grass, dust, pollen, household cleaners, detergents
Heart murmurs – Heart murmurs are caused by an issue with the blood flow through the chambers of the heart.
Top 10 Most Common Health Issues for Greyhound
- Lacerations
- Periodontal Disease – infections of the structures around the teeth, which include the gums, periodontal ligament and alveolar bone
- Cystitis – inflammation of the bladder wall
- Bloat – also known as gastric torsion
- Osteosarcoma – bone cancer
- Heart murmur
- Hypertension – high blood pressure
- Allergies
- Retinal atrophy- progressive vision loss culminating in blindness
- Deafness – loss of hearing
