Contrary to popular belief, a Greyhound can make a better apartment dog than Jack Russell, due to his calm temperament.
Greyhounds have been called the 45 mph couch potatoes, because, although they were bred for sprinting, most greyhound races last less than a minute, and the dogs are content with minimal activity the rest of the time.
Although puppies may be hyperactive until taught good manners, an adopted adult can be expected to be content frequently lying on the couch. Like all dogs, greyhounds need their daily walk and an occasional trip to the park, but do not expect your greyhound to be a partner in any long jogging sessions.
Greyhounds make good family pets, having a friendly disposition and pack instinct, but are not for families with children who want to play roughhouse with the dog. Having been designed for speed, greyhounds have delicate bones that should not be handled roughly. Greyhounds do not make good guard dogs.
Greyhounds can be easily housetrained. Like all dogs, they should be trained as to the rules of the home and to accept the human members of the family as pack leaders.
Some greyhounds have a strong prey instinct, and may tend to chase cats or other small pets. Many have to be taught to leave other pets alone, while some get along well with other animals.
Due to their delicate body type, greyhounds need to live indoors and to have padded beds for their unpadded bones.
Being strong and light, greyhounds are good jumpers, so most breeders recommend a 6 feet tall fence to keep the dog safe.
Grooming is not a big chore, since greyhounds have short hair. They do shed, though, so some dog hairs on the floor or the furniture are inevitable.
Being a large dog with a deep chest, the greyhound is prone to bloat. Bloat is a veterinary emergency that consists of air in the stomach, which blows up like a balloon. If the entrance to the stomach and the exit become twisted, the dog has no way to get rid of gas. When that happens, the blown-up stomach can cut off circulation, causing a heart attack and death. They are not prone to hip dysplasia as are some of the larger breeds.
Greyhounds are fairly long-lived for a large breed, living about 10-13 years. Feeding the dog a balanced dog food, denying it table scraps, keeping its weight normal, and providing regular exercise will help it to live out a healthy lifespan.
About the Author
Lea Mullins specifies ten points that you should consider before adopting a Greyhound. Check out TrainPetDog.com to learn more about different dog breeds and dog adoption.
