Most people who ever come across a Greyhound think of it as a lean and agile mutt. While that isn’t really wrong, there’s a lot more to this noble, champion of a sprinter that meets the eye. Did you know, for thousands of years, this particular breed has been a favourite for poets, royal emperors and artists across the world? Oh well, that doesn’t even scratch the surface when it comes to what makes this breed all that it is. So if you’re wondering whether a Greyhound can fit into your family, this article will tell you everything you need to know about them!
Is The Greyhound Popular In India
The Greyhound is definitely a popular dog breed in India. It is one of the favourite hounds across the world, and is well known for its abilities and appearance. Their sporting abilities is undoubtedly a contributing factor to its popularity, apart from how graceful a Greyhound can be.
See also: Popular Dogs in India
Availability Of The Greyhound In India
The availability of Greyhounds in India depends upon its demand at a given point of time. Normally, finding a Greyhound in pet stores of the larger and/or metropolitan cities in India shouldn’t be too big a challenge.
Price Of The Greyhound In India
The price of the Greyhound in India is extravagantly high, and ranges between ₹35,000 to ₹50,000. Factors such as the location of the puppy and its quality also determine how expensive the cost can be. Do keep in mind that importing a purebred Greyhound will only spike up the price even further.
Monthly Maintenance Cost
Despite their short coat, Greyhounds need to be brushed and massaged daily. Take it from us, a rubber curry brush works wonders with them. It helps bring some sense of control when it comes to shedding. Similarly, make use of damp cotton, to unsoil and clean up their ears thoroughly.
You will also have to make sure that you trim your Greyhound’s nails once or twice a month. The monthly maintenance cost of the Greyhound in India ranges between Rs.2500 to Rs.8000, and depends on the quality of the health and grooming services, as well as the location.
History And Popularity
Back in the ancient times, there was a breed which was known as the Old English Grighund. There’s a belief that the Greyhound is merely a derivative of that breed which only ever existed in shades of grey. Interestingly, their origins also seem to trace back to the region of North Africa and the Middle East. In fact, they have not only been referenced in the yesteryears by the Greeks, but have also been portrayed in Egyptian art. Numerous records state that Greyhounds reached Europe during the Middle Ages.
Greyhounds have always been respected for its ability in hunting. Remarkably, it was this ability of Greyhounds which became their claim to fame in England – a feat they achieved by putting on a fascinating display during hunting games such as coursing, and even with racing. Eventually though, the Greyhound was taken to the North and the South American continent, during the English colonial ages. This also happened to be something in which Spanish voyagers were involved.
What’s quite fascinating is that a Greyhound happens to be among the dog breeds which came into picture during the very early stages of American dog shows. In 1885, the Greyhound got its official admittance into the American Kennel Club. Then just a year later, without wasting any time, the coursing race was introduced officially.
Characteristics
The Greyhound is known to have a rather frail physique. A fully grown Greyhound will be around 30 inches tall. Sure, this particular breed of hound might look slender, but it still has a weight of about 50 to 70 pounds normally. Mind you, that’s not an indicator of the dog being unhealthy in any way. Even the Greyhound’s head is lean and long. It’s actually a bit conical and pointy of sorts.
Greyhounds have this amazing ability where their peripheral vision covers 270 degrees. Their eyes tend to have a kind of sheen about it. If you look closely, you’ll see that the natural placement of their eyes are a bit slanted. Greyhounds have a body where their ribs can be seen prominently. The long and muscular body that they possess is what gives them their speed and strength. Also, Greyhounds commonly have a long tail which tends to have a bit of a bend to it.
Temperament Of The Greyhound
They are known to share great relationships with human beings, with faultless faithfulness. Greyhounds can be considered of the introverted category, so they won’t always be too interactive. You will not only find them to be really intelligent, but friendly too. Although, these mutts are shy in nature. So it takes early socialization to help the breed open up to more new people easily.
If you bring home a Greyhound that’s way past its racing days, brace yourself for all the love in the world that dog could possibly give you. All they look for is someone to give them lots of affection and care. While Greyhounds are not bad with children, it may at times be difficult for children to deal with the Greyhound’s large size.
Lifespan
The lifespan of the Greyhound is between 10 to 13 years.
Are Greyhounds Hypoallergenic
No, the Greyhound is not a hypoallergenic breed.
See also: Best Hypoallergenic Dogs
Average Litter Size
The average litter size of a Greyhound is between 4 to 7 puppies approximately.
What Is The Greyhound Like As A Puppy
Greyhound puppies enjoy daily walks and are not excessively energetic. They tend to get bored if not exercised regularly. So it is important to have a solid fencing around the house in order to prevent a Greyhound puppy from chasing small animals. A Greyhound puppy should be kept on leash during regular walks. It is all for their own good, as they tend to have a strong prey drive, which often leads them to not listening or obeying to commands, maybe even get in trouble at times.
Good Diet For Greyhounds
The Greyhound should be fed high quality dog food, which must be consulted with the vet or the breeder. This breed requires a higher amount of calorie intake as compared to proteins. It is recommended to feed a Greyhound between 1.5 to 4 cups of high quality dry food daily, divided into two meals.
Health Concerns
Here are some of the common health concerns associated with the Greyhound:
1. Anesthesia Sensitivity: Greyhounds are sensitive to drugs like anesthesia. What might be a normal dose for other breeds has the ability to put a Greyhound’s life in danger. This is due to the breed’s low body fat.
2. Hypothyroidism: It involves low production of hormone levels in the thyroid gland of the dog. Infertility is a mild sign of this disease in Greyhounds. There are other signs such as mental dullness, obesity, lethargy or tiredness, irregular heat cycles, or the drooping of eyelids. The disease can be treated with regular medication.
3. Osteosarcoma: It is bone cancer, and generally affects large and giant breeds. Lameness is a sign of the disease but x-rays are required to be sure of it.
Frequently Asked Questions about Greyhound
What is the price of a Greyhound dog?
The cost of a Greyhound in India typically ranges between Rs.35,000 to Rs.50,000.
Why do Greyhounds lean on you?
Greyhounds lean on you because they want to show their affection with the entire body. They are comfortable sitting in your lap or leaning against your side and showing that he feels bonded to you.
Are Greyhounds smart?
In the past, Greyhounds were bred to be hunters and racing dogs. They are very intelligent animals with a gentle disposition towards people but can get short-tempered if not exercised enough.
How do you tell if your Greyhound loves you?
A Greyhound’s love for you is expressed by their affectionate and demonstrative behavior. They show it with gentle hugs, rubbing up against your legs when they’re excited to see you, or leaning on your shoulder while curled up together sitting in the sun.
Are Greyhounds protective of their owners?
Most people believe that Greyhounds are docile and calm creatures, bred for the sole purpose of hunting. However, these animals still have protective instincts – they just can’t bark or growl to scare away potential threats like other breeds of dogs would.
Do Greyhounds bite?
They do not tend to bite, but they are strong and don’t like to let go if they catch something in their teeth. It is advised that anyone who owns one of these dogs never extend their arm too high and always keep an eye on children when a Greyhound is around. You can cut down the risk by teaching your dogs “Leave It” as part of best obedience training practices.
What problems do Greyhounds have?
Greyhounds have an array of health issues, including epilepsy and blood-clotting diseases. In addition, their low body fat makes them extra sensitive to anesthesia’s effects during surgeries. As a result, greyhound owners must be vigilant about their pets’ diet and medications because they may react differently from other breeds regarding medication absorption or the risk for adverse side effects like vomiting/diarrhea after surgery due to sensitivity towards the anesthetic agent used in these procedures.
Why you shouldn’t get a Greyhound?
Greyhounds are not for everyone. The following is a list of some reasons why you might want to reconsider getting a Greyhound:
- The breed has an egg-shaped head and deep chest, which both inhibit field vision. This means that your dog’s eyesight may grow progressively weaker as it ages, primarily due to cataracts or other eye conditions.
- They have short legs and can’t jump high, so it may be hard for them to get in and out of your vehicle or over any obstacles.
- If left alone at home for extended periods, they will bark excessively as their loneliness drives them crazy!
- They’re generally not good watchdogs despite the deeply rooted hunting instincts.
Do Greyhounds like to be kissed?
Not necessarily, but many do learn to enjoy it. When dogs lick your face in return, this isn’t always a sign of returning affection; they might be asking for food!!
Why do Greyhounds cry?
Greyhound owners know that when their dog whines, it is a clear sign of communication. Whining about anything from being let in the house to asking for food or affection – you name it, and they’ll talk (whine) to you about it!
Are Greyhounds available in India?
The availability of Greyhounds in India depends on how much people want them. In the larger and/or metropolitan cities, it should be pretty easy to find a pet store that has some for sale.
Do Greyhounds smell like dog?
Seriously, this answer will vary depending on the type of dog you have but generally, if your dog smells like urine or feces, then yes. This means there is something off with their anal glands that could be dealt with by a vet, but really, the issue is you need to follow basic grooming and hygiene traditions for your pup, so make sure to clean her eyes and ears at least every week too. The one thing about all dogs is that they should always get groomed about twice per year.
Do Greyhounds fart a lot?
Flatulence in Greyhound dogs derives from hydrogen sulfide, which is produced by anaerobic bacteria that may live on the mucosal lining of their digestive tract and be released during digestion or when eating food containing sulfur-producing compounds like onions or broccoli (remember kids: don’t give your pets raw vegetables). Eighty-eight percent out of three hundred surveyed Greyhound owners reported witnessing gas with typical smells such as rotten eggs, canned corn, cabbage soup.
Is a Greyhound a good first dog?
The Greyhound is a high-energy dog. If you are not an experienced dog owner and want to have a smaller, slower-paced pet that doesn’t require long leash walks or running outside, then the Greyhound will be too much. On the other hand, if you are experienced and looking for a high-energy leaping and jumping and more demanding companion (someone who needs to be exhausted at night, so he sleeps properly), then this could be your ideal first dog.
Who is faster, Greyhound or Cheetah?
The Cheetah is faster and more powerful than the Greyhound. Greyhounds don’t have much of a kick since they are taller, and their hind legs sit farther back on the body. Cheetah stalks its prey for extended periods (a minute or two) before running or jumping to attempt the kill, which means it will be building up speed over that period. So when it does finally make a strike, it has tremendous momentum behind it, with all four of those huge paws under him propelling forward at 100 mph plus! This is partly why Cheetas can leap 20 feet in any direction to catch its target while still in motion–unlike other cats.
Can Usain Bolt outrun a Greyhound?
Greyhound racing is a good reason why Usain Bolt would never want to do it. The dogs are bred for speed and endurance, so they will always beat the human athlete, no matter how great an athlete they might be.
What do Greyhounds die of?
Neoplasia, a type of cancer, is the most common cause of death in Greyhounds.
Are Greyhounds friendly?
Greyhounds are intelligent, independent, even cat-like in many ways. Please give them a treat or two to become friends with one of these amazing dogs.
Do Greyhounds like to cuddle?
Who doesn’t love a good snuggle with their closest friend. It’s no wonder that the stately Greyhound is such an adorable couch potato! Experts say there are plenty of reasons for this affectionate behavior. The Greyhound uses cuddling as a way to bond closely with his master or when feeling stressed out from running through natural obstacles all day long, but mostly they just want some one-on-one time where he can lean on you without worrying about anything else going wrong around him.
How far can a Greyhound walk?
Greyhounds are fast but not very energetic. They usually won’t walk farther than 2 to 3 km without significant training – and this is rare! However, there have been some exceptions that were trained extensively in hiking up to 6-8 km.
Are Greyhounds good house dogs?
Greyhounds can be easily distracted by anything new or interesting in their environment and may accidentally knock things over when exploring. They also tend to bark at other animals outside of your home—including squirrels! Even with these minor flaws, this breed is excellent for families who want an intelligent dog without too much energy levels because greyhound puppies grow up into laidback adults.
Can Greyhounds go off-leash?
Greyhounds are prohibited from going off-leash. Off-leash areas should only be used for dogs that have already been assessed as non-aggressive and social in different settings, such as parks or other outdoor spaces.
Why does my Greyhound stare at me?
Greyhounds are known for staring at their owners. Staring can be a way of instilling trust with you as an owner, but it also reinforces that bond over time between your Greyhound and yourself.
How often should a Greyhound poop?
Well, they’re different from other breeds, so you might not know. It’s best to take him or her out more frequently and see what happens. If the dog is pooping too much, then try limiting their food intake for a while!
Are Greyhounds healthy dogs?
Deep-chested Greyhounds are susceptible to bloat and gastric torsion, a sudden enlargement of the stomach sometimes accompanied by twisting.
Are Greyhounds high-energy dogs?
Greyhounds have a reputation for being high-energy dogs, but in reality, their favorite pastime is sleeping. Made as sprinters and not distance runners, they’ll be satisfied with daily walks!
Why do Greyhounds have to wear muzzles in public?
Muzzling is a type of restraint used for the protection and safety of animals in public. Muzzles may prevent an animal from engaging with normal behaviors such as sniffing or licking, but this doesn’t mean they are uncomfortable! Pet Greyhounds who pass certain tests will get to don green collars, which let people know that their dog’s mouth has been deemed safe enough for them to walk it around town safely without any muzzle.
Do Greyhounds attack small dogs?
When it comes to small dogs, Greyhounds are known for being gentle giants. They’re unlikely to attack a human and also very reluctant in general when attacking other animals with teeth that they can’t tear apart easily, like rabbits or squirrels. However, if you have an aggressive breed of dog such as Pitbulls around the scene, things could become much more chaotic!
Why can’t Greyhounds climb stairs?
Greyhounds were not bred to climb stairs. They were bred for chasing prey, usually on or near the ground, like rabbits and deer. Greyhounds must always keep their heads lower than their spine, so they can’t look straight ahead while climbing stairs, which puts them at risk of injury. To make this work for them in a house with multiple floors, it’s important to change the dog’s perspective by adding ramps over two flights of carpeted steps (or slats over one flight) where feasible. Ramps provide an alternative pathway up and down without any twisty-turny staircases or tight back hallways.
Are Greyhounds kid-friendly?
Greyhounds are naturally one of the gentler breeds of dogs and generally love children; if your child is gentle with animals, it’s safe to assume that they should be ok with a Greyhound.
How can you tell if a Greyhound is happy?
When a Greyhound’s teeth clatter, it means they’re happy. They’ll do this when they are being petted and given lots of attention or anticipating something good like getting fed or going for a walk – just your undivided attention will make them go crazy!
Can a Greyhound be left alone all day?
Many people find it difficult to leave their dogs at home for long periods. If you have someone who can come in halfway through the day and take your pup out on a walk, that would help him or her cope! It’s not just about them needing to go outside every few hours; dogs are social animals too; they need company – even more than humans do sometimes.
Are Greyhounds dumb?
Greyhounds are not dumb. They’re one of the most intelligent breeds out there because they can think rationally and logically, but also be independent-minded enough to take their time in pleasing you with tasks like retrieving your tennis ball or fetching a stick from under the bush!
What does it mean when a Greyhound roaches?
Greyhounds are known for their love of resting in the most comfortable position possible. As they age, many Greyhounds find that lying on their back becomes uncomfortable or insufficient because of an arthritic condition called degenerative myelopathy.
Are Greyhounds expensive to keep?
Although Greyhounds don’t require as much care and maintenance as other breeds, they can be expensive to keep because of the high cost in India. You will have to trim their nails once or twice a month, which is necessary for maintaining healthy nail beds, but these costs are still lower than those associated with some other dog breeds’ needs. The monthly maintenance cost ranges between Rs 2500- 8000 according to your chosen location/quality of service.
Do Greyhounds need high fences?
A fence needs to be as high as 1.5 mt tall so that your Greyhound isn’t tempted to try and jump it.
What helps a Greyhound with anxiety?
The Greyhound is one of the fastest dogs globally, but they also suffer from anxiety. Luckily there’s something that can help them feel more at ease when left alone: company! It doesn’t matter if it was a dog friend or human companion – as long as someone stays with them, this breed will be less prone to feeling stressed out and anxious. One easy way to help reduce stress levels for our four-legged friends is by playing music.
How long can Greyhounds hold their bladder?
In the past, Greyhounds were used for hunting and racing. They had to run a long distance without stopping; thus, they needed to control their bladder to not break from pursuit due to urination in hot weather or use up all of their energy on the race track. Nowadays, most people use them primarily just as family pets who are often crated when left at home alone for extended periods – which can lead some dogs into holding onto urine until discomfort sets in, which is roughly 4 hours!
What does having a Greyhound say about you?
Greyhound owners are people who prefer animals that are affectionate and personable. This type of pet owner enjoys having a best friend to snuggle with on the couch at night or during cold winter months. If you’re looking for a new companion animal and currently have a blank spot next to your bed, a Greyhound could make an excellent pet for you.
Things To Take Care Of
It is important to check regularly while grooming for sores and rashes if you are going to adopt a Greyhound. But what’s great is that Greyhounds are amazing family pets and easy to groom. Just be careful with your children at home if you are adopting a Greyhound.
Also, keep in mind that they have very thin layers of skin which are prone to cuts, and they also are not comfortable in cold and/or rainy climates. The breed might be a strong independent dog, but they also love to be hugged often!
