Greyhound Dog

Descended from the Arabian Sloughi, the greatest asset of the Greyhound Dog is its speed. Originally used for hunting deer and wild boar, they are now favorites in the dog-racing arena. Most dogs are put to rest after their racing career is over. The Greyhound has a very deep chest, an extraordinarily curved spine and a wide skull. A long and graceful neck, muscular legs and an arched loin allow the dog to reach high levels of speed.

The short, smooth coat of the Greyhound Dog requires very little maintenance. Being an average shedder, the coat of this dog should be combed and brushed with a firm bristle brush. Dry shampoo when necessary. The dog attains 30 inches in height when it reaches maturity.

Greyhound dogs that are kept as pets need plenty of exercise. They love to run and go for long walks. Sticking to a regular routine makes the dog easier to handle. Retired Greyhounds should be fed special low-protein dry mix food. It is often best to feed the dog twice a day and provide him with plenty of fresh water. The retired Greyhound may be prone to bloat and may also get teeth infections. They are also extremely sensitive to pesticides.

Professional Greyhound training includes three stages - rearing, breaking in and training. The last two stages are more expensive and are usually handed over to professional trainers. After retirement, only the most sweet tempered of Greyhounds find shelter. They are not difficult to housebreak, as they are already crate trained in the track.

An affectionate, gentle and graceful creature the Greyhound Dog is a pleasure both on the track as well as off it. This highly energetic dog will chase almost anything that moves. If socialized at an early age, they learn to interact well and to leave other household pets alone. Greyhounds usually do not like rough play although they are good with older children. At home, they do not bark much, but are loyal and calm almost to the point of being lazy.