Greyhounds (retiredgreyhounds.co.uk)

Member Name: somerton

Product:	retiredgreyhounds.co.uk
Date:	25/06/06 (468 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: quiet and undemanding

Disadvantages: Single minded when on the chase

For millennia there has been a history of a tall, thin, pointy-muzzled, fast dog on the sands of the middle east.
The breed we know today as a GREYHOUND was probably first tamed and domesticated by the ancient Egyptians. It was bred to hound down prey on the rolling desert sands.

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?
A Greyhound is a dog that stands about 26-28" at the shoulder.
It has long, thin legs with strong muscle definition. Being a 'sight-hound'it has a far-sighted gaze. It has a slender 'swan-like'neck, deep chest and defined (but not boney) rib cage.
A good body weight for a healthy adult male is 5stone (32kgs)
and around 10% less for a female.
On a good flat,smooth surface (like wet sand on a beach) a Greyhound can, without much effort, reach speeds of around
18 metres per second. This is around 64 k/mh.

WHAT DOES IT BEHAVE LIKE?
Obviously it goes without saying that ANY dog is a product of its up-bringing and therefore reflects its owners personality to some extent. Generally speaking, Greyhounds are mild tempered dogs and can even be docile housepets. They do not make good guard dogs since they are not very territoral. In human terms they could be described as 'shy'. They will often droop their head and turn away (rather like the late Princess Diana when she first became known to the public) especially when voices are raised. They do not have the same 'desire to please' as other dogs which means they do not excel in obedience classes. It will usually bounce along on the lead and not NORMALLY strain at the leash.
Due to its strong instinct to chase, it can be nigh on IMPOSSIBLE to call back once running at full throttle!
It is keen to chase smaller animals which it will snap up by the neck if given the chance, SO WATCH WHERE YOU INTEND TO
EXERCISE YOURS! Remember, it can be 100m away in a matter of seconds!!

WHAT DOES IT EAT?
A Greyhound will need to be fed twice a day. Each feed should be one 400g can of good quality meat in jelly, with the empty can used to measure out the amount of dry biscuit to mix in, being the same amount as an empty can. Half of the same empty can in water to mix in and moisten. This is sufficient for a pet which will spend 23 hrs a day lazing around. Times of feed will depend on your individual homelife circumstances.
Remember, YOU dictate, not the DOG!!

WHAT ABOUT GROOMING?
A good, stiff, vigourous brush each morning should suffice.
A luke warm shower with flea shampoo once a month.

AND EXERCISE?
Walk the dog on a pavement every morning, about half a mile out and half a mile back. The pavement will help keep toe nails short and paw pads hard. If you can find an empty football field or park let your dog run free. Take something to throw for him to chase. Take somebody with you who can hold the dog while you tease him with a rag by his nose. Gradually, walk further and further away teasing all the time. Raise your rag above your head, still waving it (by now he should be straining at the leash to chase) and when you are around 100m away, drop your arm and the person holding the dog should then release him. WATCH HIM FLY!!!
Take a stopwatch and time his run. Keep a written record of his times. THERE IS NO MORE EXCITING PASSTIME I PROMISE YOU!!

ONE WORD OF WARNING >>>>>>>>>>>
A Greyhound at full pelt is a kiling machine so if there is ANY risk of cats, squirrels or other small animals being seen by the dog it may be as well to muzzle him for this type of run.
REMEMBER TO ALLOW YOUR DOG AROUND 20m TO STOP AFTERWARDS.

You will find a Greyhound very easy to own. And a lot of fun too!

Summary: Quiet at home but exciting outdoors on the loose.