The Greyhound: 4 paw guide

The Greyhound is sensitive, gentle and generally very good with children, it has a nervous streak and this must be allowed for, in order to build it's confidence.

Greyhounds are extremely adaptable, so adopting an ex racing dog or a rescue Greyhound is a great way to get one of these lovely dogs into your family.

They have a very distinct look, being so much broader at the front with delicate backs and nether regions.

Your Greyhound will love to run and will chase anything that moves quickly, so be warned if you have a cat or any rodents as other pets in the house, the Greyhound has been recorded running speeds of 37 mph!

The earliest sightings of Greyhounds are in Ancient Egyptian murals and decorations of Roman and Greek pottery. They are thought to have come to England around 400BC and where owned by landowners who took full advantage of their hunting instinct. By the 18th Century coursing was a very popular sport. Racing of Greyhounds, originated in America during the early 20th Century and the first track was opened in England in 1926.

The Greyhound at a glance
Our 4 Paw Rating - to the suitability of the Greyhound at for your home and lifestyle.

Size
27 - 30 inches at shoulder, weight 60 - 70 lbs.

Coat Care
Occasional grooming with a soft brush. Claws should be kept trimmed and ears regularly checked.

Family Life
Normally good with children and likes the company of other dogs. Very intelligent and bond well with the family.

Lifestyle
They are calm and sociable, when indoors they can be so relaxed that they are sometimes considered lazy!

Health
Life expectancy 10 - 12 years. General health check – especially if adopting.

Exercise
Plenty of running and walking required on a daily basis.

Training
Intelligent and fairly easy to train – unless he has his eye on potential prey!!