Tuesday, March 27, 2012

All About the Greyhound


Greyhound Dog Racing Tips.

Greyhounds make excellent pets as they are very intelligent and sensitive dogs. They are easy going with dogs as well as humans and make loyal companions. They are highly trainable and can quickly understand what is required of them. Greyhounds are ideal for households with children as they are extremely gentle dogs that get along well with children. If you're looking for a loving and elegant dog, the greyhound might be the dog for you.

Greyhounds are a very ancient breed and carvings in Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs depict a very similar looking dog. It is thought they are descendants of the Arabian Slough and that they were introduced to England around 900 AD. They were brought to America in the 1500s by Spanish explorers and were among the first breed of dog to be shown in dog shows.

Greyhounds are the fastest animal after the cheetah and they can reach speeds of 70 kilometers per hour. They are used in racing as well as hunting and despite the fact that they are amazing athletes; these dogs don't require a lot of exercise, making them the ideal indoor dog. That being said, greyhounds love running and they are happiest when given the opportunity for a free run. Their liquid gait is striking and it is a joy to watch these dogs in action. Greyhounds run unlike any other dog and they are off the ground twice in their running stride - this is known as a double suspension gallop.

Greyhounds tend to be timid dogs, especially with strangers and they respond to gentle handling. If they are treated harshly they can become fearful and shy, even of their owners. They aren't prone to excessive barking and are quiet, gentle dogs.

They have a short haired coat and you can find all sorts of amazing color combination's such as white, black, blue, brindle, fallow, fawn and gray. Due to the fact that they have short hair, many people who are generally allergic to dogs don't suffer as much with these dogs. They don't shed much and don't require much grooming. Combing a greyhound twice a week is sufficient.

Greyhounds are prone to bloat and should be fed 2-3 small meals spread throughout the day to avoid this deadly condition from developing. They are also very sensitive to chemicals and require a special anesthetic when undergoing surgery. Due to their hypersensitivity they can't wear flea and tick collars.

Greyhounds need to be kept warm in cold weather climates and should wear a coat when out on a walk.

They shouldn't be kept off leash unless they are in a safe, contained area as they are prone to chasing small animals such as rabbits.

If you are thinking about getting a greyhound as a pet you should consider adopting a retired racing greyhound. Racing dogs are retired at 4 years of age and they make excellent pets due to their good training and gentle manner. Retired racing greyhounds are already crate trained and are easy to house train.

Greyhound Dog Racing.