Greyhounds are wonderful pets, and whether you adopt a puppy or an adult dog you’ll soon find they are a wonderful addition to your family.

If you’re wondering if a Greyhound is the right dog for you, consider the following factors as to why they make the most awesome pets: (more…)

While your greyhound will likely spend most of its time lazing about the house, it’s important that they get the opportunity to burn off this conserved energy on a daily basis. While you may look very laidback while indoors, the truth is that a greyhound needs at least 1 hour of exercise daily.

Playing in the yard with your greyhound is perfectly acceptable, but a walk around the neighbourhood or at the dog park will be a lot more mentally and physically stimulating. There are however dos and don’ts for exercising your greyhound.

The Dos of Exercising Your Greyhound

• DO exercise your greyhound for at least 1 hour daily.
• DO walk, run, and play with your greyhound on a daily basis as this will help them bond with you and your family.
• DO check your greyhound’s paws while out for a walk or run. If they start to limp or look uncomfortable, check to see if there are any objects stuck in between the pads of their paws.
• DO work your adult greyhound for 1.5km-3km for the first few weeks and work them up to 4km-8km over time.
• DO walk your greyhound in the early morning or evening.

The Don’ts of Exercising Your Greyhound

• DON’T exercise your greyhound in the heat of the day.
• DON’T become impatient when exercising your greyhound. They have a tendency to stop dead in their tracks if they hear a foreign noise or become nervous. Don’t push them to keep going like you might do with real money online pokies, rather offer verbal encouragement.
• DON’T forget that greyhounds are prone to sunburn as they have very short hair. If you enjoy spending time in the sunshine with your greyhound, make sure to get dog-specific sunblock.
• DON’T forget a washable mat which they can lie on when travelling with your greyhound. Greyhounds are slim and find lying on hard surfaces uncomfortable.

The Dos of Leash Control

• DO use a regular 1.8m leash and keep your greyhound next to your left leg while walking.
• DO offer verbal encouragement and treats when leash and harness training your greyhound.
• DO allow your greyhound enough time to inspect any new areas before turning it loose. Check all perimeters and make sure they are secure.
• DO keep your greyhound leashed when visiting the dog park if it’s full as this will help to prevent any potential injury.
• DO check for mole or groundhog holes if you want to let your dog run. Greyhounds are fast and they can easily break a leg if they hit one of these holes.

The Don’ts of Leash Control

• DON’T get impatient while your greyhound is learning to do its business while leashed.
• DON’T give your greyhound the opportunity to get out of your car or yard without being leashed.
• DON’T allow your greyhound to run on the beach without a leash and harness. Greyhounds are poor swimmers and he/she may run into the water.
• DON’T leave your greyhound unattended near any body of water.

Lastly, DON’T forget to have plenty of fun!

Crate training or crating can be somewhat controversial, but many people believe that it’s a healthy option for dog training and can keep a dog safe while they are home alone.

When used correctly there is absolutely nothing wrong with crating your Greyhound, and these tips will help you train your dog to enjoy the time they spend in what could be considered the dog version of a man cave!

A Slow Introduction

The best way to introduce your Greyhound to a crate is slowly. Very slowly and patiently. Forcing a dog inside and locking the door behind them is only going to create fear and cement the idea as a very negative one.

You want crating to be a positive experience from the very start, so go slow.

Get Your Dog used to the Crate

In the beginning the best idea is to leave a crate open, with one of your dogs blanket or beds inside it, and a few treats. You can place the crate in your living area and they can explore while you cook or relax and check out the latest AFL betting odds, so they still feel like part of the family.

Be encouraging and make going in to the crate an enjoyable activity, and soon you’ll see your dog goes in on their own.

Make It Their Safe Space

If a dog doesn’t feel threatened they are more likely to enjoy the time they spend in their crate. Wherever you can, make the crate a positive association.

Whether this means giving them treats when they are inside, or leaving them alone to sleep, you do what your dog likes best.

Feed in the Crate

Giving your dog their meals in the crate will go along way to making them feel happy and content, and assured that the space they are in is safe.

A dog won’t eat if it feels threatened, so putting food in a crate shows them that the space is non-threatening and they wont come to any harm while being in there.

Do Not Leave Them Alone for Too Long

Initially it’s a good idea to limit the amount of time your Greyhound spends in their crate. By nature, these dogs can be quite anxious, so if you see your dog is getting distressed, call them out and reassure them.

You may also find that initially they are only happy if they can see you, so don’t go out and lock them in at first as they may hurt themselves trying to get out.

Stop Crating If The Dog Is Unhappy

Some dogs are absolutely fine with being crated from an early age, and the sooner you start training them, the better it is.

If however you find that your Greyhound is starting to hate being crated, is messing in their crate or tearing up their bedding it is best to pause the training and resume at a later date.

Most dogs get used to being crated, and many love it. As long as you take your time and don’t force the issue and you create a routine, you’ll find that crating becomes easy and stress free for everyone.

All domestic animals should wear a collar, whether it is to hold an identification tag, for walks, or simply for decoration – collars come in all shapes and size.

However, if you’ve spent a fair amount of time with greyhounds, you may have noticed that most don’t wear a standard dog collar, but one resembling a thick leather strap.

If you’re considering greyhound adoption, you should consider what kind of collar is appropriate for your new companion.

To Collar or Not to Collar

As greyhounds have elongated necks, a standard dog collar will often slip off or injure the dog if fitted across their windpipe when the greyhound starts pulling on the lead. As such, one of the most important decisions is whether to collar your greyhound when at home.

Many owners fit their greyhounds with loose-fitting collars for wear at home which are slack enough to slip off easily should the collar become hooked on something around the house, while others choose not to collar their greyhounds at all at home.

Whichever you prefer, a collar used for walking must be well-fitted and correctly adjusted to fit snugly on your greyhound’s neck.

A Seamless Size and Fit

Only a properly adjusted collar should be used when walking your greyhound and it should sit higher on the neck than is normally seen in other breeds. Thanks to the greyhound’s large neck and small head, the collar must be a snug fit to prevent your feisty greyhound from getting out of their collar at an inopportune time or dangerous location.

Using a well-fitting colour will put your mind ease and you’ll have more energy for finding top AFL betting tips.

A snug fit can only be achieved by measuring your greyhound’s neck in the area on which the collar will be worn – lower down the neck for a housebound collar and higher up the neck for a walking / running collar.

Sighthound Collars

Sighthound breeds such as greyhounds, whippets, Salukis, Afghan hounds and Italian Greyhounds all have elongated necks and any owner will tell you that they are quite excitable when it comes to the possibility of chasing any kind of prey that has caught their eye.

This could lead to your sighthound lunging on their lead which could injure their necks if they’re fitted with a narrow collar. Sighthound collars are generally made from leather and are wider in the middle and narrower at both ends to accommodate the buckle.

These wider collars are fitted under the dog’s throat and if they are prone to pulling, the sighthound collar will not put pressure on the windpipe or cut off arterial blood flow.

Haltis

If your greyhound has a high prey drive, is prone to pulling, or is dog aggressive, a halti – also referred to as a Gentle Leader – could be the solution to this problem.

Resembling a horse’s halter, one portion of the halti works as a plain buckle collar worn at the top of the neck, while the second part loops around the greyhound’s muzzle, with the leash attaching to a ring at the bottom of the muzzle loop.

If the greyhound starts to pull on the lead, pressure is applied by the halti to the dogs muzzle and the back of their neck and their head is redirected towards you and away from what they are pulling towards. Haltis afford the best possible control over your pulling greyhound, but there will be an adjustment period so be sure to practise plenty at home before heading outdoors with it.

When it comes to breeds like the Greyhound, many people around the world are adamant on keeping their dog’s offspring as pure as possible, which means that crossbreeding is almost entirely unheard of. While this has become more unpopular in recent years, purebred breeding is still fairly common, especially when it comes to Greyhounds.

Whether you are for or against breeding, there are some factors about pure blood breeding that can’t be denied, and one of these is health. In nature, if an animal has a particular health issue, the only way it can be effectively weaned out of the species is through mixed breeding, where the offspring of the parents sometimes won’t inherit the health issue, instead taking genes from the healthier parent.

This isn’t the case when breeding animals, and as such, health issues tend to remain within a family of animals, and in fact, throughout an entire bloodline.

Whether you’ve adopted a Greyhound after seeing it on eSports betting Australia, or want to participate in breeding yourself, these are some of the more common health issues that affect Greyhounds, especially as they get older.

Cancer

This is one that is especially prevalent among Greyhounds, and it’s also often fatal if not caught early.

The most common type if bone cancer, which has led to the death of many Greyhounds. It’s hard to pick up, but signs to look out for include general weakness, increased hunger but loss of weight, and any growths on their body.

If any of these are noticed, the dog should be taken to the very immediately.

Bloat

This is another one that affects many Greyhounds, and is usually found in medium-sized dogs. It’s a gastrointestinal syndrome that causes their stomach to expand with air, which can in turn cause the stomach to twist in on itself.

It’s an extremely serious condition and can usually kill a dog within a few hours. Symptoms include pacing, restlessness, drooling, pale gums, and signs of pain. Surgery is almost always a necessity, and even then, the dog’s chances of survival are often slim.

One reason bloat is so common is because of how the dogs are fed, which is usually from a bowl that’s on the floor. Raising the bowl up with a small table is advised, and allows the dog to eat at a more natural and healthy level.

Heart Problems

Greyhounds tend to have bigger hearts relative to their size, and because of this, they can develop some heart issues. One of these is a heart murmur, as well as elevated blood pressure.

Heart issues in Greyhounds are sometimes misdiagnosed, and it can require taking the animal to a specialized vet in order to deduce exactly what the problem is.

Ex-Racers

As many Greyhounds that are adopted tend to be ex-racers, they may suffer from problems that originate from a life of racing around the track.

Hip, neck, and joint problems are fairly common, and warrant extra care, especially if the dog tends to be older.

Despite their various health problems, Greyhounds are still loving, sweet animals that have a lot to give their owners, and as long as they’re fed well and have regular check ups, most problems can be avoided.

Taking a Greyhound to the park is a great place for them to socialise and to get some exercise especially for dog owners that do not have a yard that is fenced in.

Greyhounds need to walk at least once a day and taking them to the park a few times a week is very beneficial for them.

Greyhounds should not be muzzled at the park if the other dogs are not muzzled.  Introducing a Greyhound to the park should be done slowly and allow them to get to know the other dogs before taking them off their leash and so that both dog and owner can also get to know the etiquette of the dog park.

Make a Friend

On the first trip to the dog park it is a good idea to go with a dog that the Greyhound already knows, possibly the neighbour’s dog.  The dogs should already be familiar with each other and playing together will make it easier when the Greyhound is introduced to other dogs in the park.

Choosing a quiet time in the park is advisable so that they can get used to being in their surroundings. Much like everything from Bitcoin betting to cooking, taking your Greyhound to the park takes time, practice and patience.

Be Alert

Dog owners should always be alert in the park so they should not take anything with them that can be distracting and they should always keep an eye on their dog as things can happen very suddenly with other dogs and owners around.

Unfortunately not all dog owners adhere to the etiquette so it is also important for dog owners to make sure that others also follow the rules.  If things do not go well it may be a good idea to try another park or come back later.

Be Safe and Responsible

Greyhound owners should ensure that their dogs have received all the necessary vaccinations, taking an unvaccinated dog to the park is a recipe for disaster and could infect other dogs in the park.

Owners should also not bring their dog to the park if they are unwell as it may be contagious and bringing a female Greyhound in heat to the park is very irresponsible.

Greyhound owners should not bring their young children with them to the park if they have to supervise them and it is also easy for excitable dogs to knock them over.  Owners need to focus all their attention on their dog.

Taking a Greyhound off their leash is not advisable if they have not yet learnt to respond to voice commands, rather keep them close until they are completely familiar with their new surroundings.

For Greyhound owners who own more than one dog, it is advisable to limit the number of dogs.  Some dog parks will even have a limit.

When at home the Greyhounds will often form a pack and will bring this with them to the park.  This may affect the way that they interact with other dogs and possibly lead to aggressive behaviours.

Greyhounds will feel their owner’s anxiety and owners must be aware of this when letting their dogs socialise.  Meeting new dogs, especially in the beginning can be tricky and owners should take it slowly.

If owners know that their Greyhound is sensitive it is best to pick a quiet time in the park when there are fewer dogs.

Being vigilant and attentive are very important to ensure that not only the Greyhound but also the owner enjoy the dog park experience.

As one of the world’s most famous dog breeds, the Greyhound has gained massive popularity throughout the world. While they were once famed for their roles as hunters, it wouldn’t be until they found themselves on the racetrack did they gain worldwide popularity.

Fast, sleep, and powerful, Greyhounds have ruled the track for the better part of the last two hundred years, and have been a favourite pastime for those that partake in sports betting, an entire industry of its own.

Before they were the modern racers that we know and love so much, the breed was a companion to mankind thousands of years ago. Historians have found traces of Greyhounds in Ancient civilisations all around the world, and, for the most part, the breed has remained unchanged ever since.

Whether it’s an interest in sports betting, online slots real money Canada, or just a simple curiosity for the breed, this is the history of the Greyhound.

Earliest Records

The first of our ancestors to befriend the Greyhound was the Ancient Egyptians. Records have shown that nearly 4000 years ago, the Egyptians had learnt to domesticate the dog, using primarily as a hunting partner, but evidence also suggests that they were loyal pets as well.

Greyhounds were most often associated with the royalty and upper classes of Ancient Egypt, and some mummified Greyhound remains have been found in various Egyptian tombs.

Further down the line in Ancient Greece, the breed was mentioned more than once in Homer’s famous story, The Odyssey. Their predilection as efficient hunting dogs solidified their place at man’s side for the rest of human history.

Greyhounds In The Middle Ages

By the time of the Middle Ages, Greyhounds still featured as popular pets and hunting animals. They could mostly be found among the royalty of the time, and would join them in their hunts, but this wasn’t their only function.

Their association with the upper echelons of society made them a valuable asset for anyone worth their name and money. This is how the breed would remain for the next few centuries.

Industrialisation

It would be around the time that the British first began the age of industry, and the Greyhound still featured prominently among the rich and famous. Their status as a hunter had all but died out, and wealthy businessmen, with plenty of time on their hands, began racing their dogs against each other.

It was friendly at first, and the occasional bet would be made, but for the most part it wasn’t enjoyed on a wide scale.

These same business, however, began to realise the potential of having ordinary people watch and bet on the dog races, and it wasn’t long before their races were made more public, and people were able to take out bets and wagers on their favourite dog.

It was a massive success, and Greyhound racing made its way over the oceans, becoming popular in new countries like Australia and the United States.

Today, Greyhound racing has mostly fallen away, and is line to be banned by most countries around the world. While this has made a lot of people upset, we can still look back at the history of this amazing animal and appreciate just how much it has done for us.

Like all pets, Greyhounds require a healthy balanced diet and Greyhound owners should always endeavour to feed their pets the best quality food that they are able to afford.

There are many brands on the market, some of these do not provide the nutrition a Greyhound needs.  Some of the cheaper brands may even in some cases endanger the health of your of your pet.

It is recommended that Greyhound owners do no feed their dogs with tinned food as many of them contain fillers that could cause intestinal problems.  A sure sign that a certain brand of tinned food is not working for your dog is that they will suffer from diarrhoea after eating the food and then it is time to stop using that particular brand.

Pet owners should try as far as possible to feed their dogs food that is unprocessed and pure.

A Greyhound with a healthy coat, skin and eyes is a sign that your pet is happy and healthy.  Their coat should be bright and shiny, their skin smooth and healthy and their eyes bright and clear and all of these are a good indication that the dog is in good health.

Greyhounds are known for sleeping for long lengths of time and younger dogs will often have short bursts of energy and enjoy playing.  In order for pet owners to ensure a healthy lifestyle they should use high-quality food that gives their dog all of the nutrients they require for their day.

Limit Intake of Human Food

The food that humans eat and that of dogs are not a good combination and many pet owners make the mistake of feeding their dog’s human food, which is not a good idea and can often have a bad outcome for the Greyhound.

As a treat every now and again human food is fine, but it must be limited and only given in small quantities.  The treat should be pure, properly cooked and should not be seasoned, not be too salty or fatty. Much like when enjoying the eSports betting Australia has to offer, balance is key, and this should apply to every area of your lives too, and your dogs!

There are many Greyhound owners who feel that commercial dog foods contain ingredients that often contribute to health problems such as allergies, cataracts, seizures, infections, skin issues and autoimmune problems.  Many owners have noticed that switching from a commercial diet to a raw diet has sorted out many of these issues.

Dogs will also have less tartar build up and their breath will be improved in many instances.

Recommended Daily Diet

A recommended diet for Greyhounds is around 300 grams of meat each day, but this would depend on the size of the Greyhound.  Greyhound owners should also supplement the meat with vegetables, fish oil and a little dry food; this should be a good quality dry food.

The meat should not be fatty and should be cooked through well.  Any visible fat should be removed as well as any skin on chicken.  All bones should be removed from the cooked meat.

Fruit is a great addition to their diet and is a healthy treat for them.  It is important to remove all seeds, leaves and stems from the fruit.  Vegetables are also an excellent source of nutrients for Greyhounds and are also a good way to give dogs their treats such as carrots, green beans, zucchini and cucumber.

There are some vegetables which should be avoided such as onion, garlic, avocado and raw potatoes.

Greyhound owners should ensure that their pet is give a well-balanced healthy diet to keep them happy and in good condition.

Deciding on whether to bring a dog into your home should be a carefully considered event, not something that happens on the spur of the moment. This is particularly true when it comes to bringing a specific breed into your home such as greyhound.

If you’re trying to decide whether you should adopt a greyhound or purchase a greyhound puppy from a reputable breeder, perhaps this greyhound FAQ will help you decide. However, we must mention that we highly recommend adopting a retired racing greyhound as they make wonderful pets and there are plenty looking for loving homes!

Greyhounds as Pets

• Do greyhounds make good pets?

Greyhounds make wonderful pets and they are loyal and loving and are the perfect companion for the young and old alike. Greyhounds are gentle, easy going, intelligent, and polite.

• How fast are greyhounds?

Greyhounds can reach speeds of up to 70kph in two short strides.

• How old do greyhounds live to be?

The greyhound’s natural lifespan is between 12-14 years.

• Do greyhounds shed a lot?

Unlike many other dog breeds, greyhounds only have coat of hair which makes them virtually shed-free. They have a short, sleek coat with more oil and less dander which is perfect for allergy sufferers.

The Greyhound Temperament

• Can I keep a greyhound outdoors?

No, your greyhound should live inside for the majority of the time as their thin skin and slender frame make them unable to withstand outdoor cold or heat for extended periods of time. The perfect companion for while you enjoy online blackjack!

• Are greyhounds hyperactive?

Quite the opposite actually! Greyhounds are affectionately known as the 70kph couch potatoes. Greyhounds were bred to run very quickly for short sprints so they conserve their energy the rest of the time.

• Can I take a greyhound jogging?

Your greyhound can be trained to go on walks and runs with you, but it should be a gradual learning experience as it will not be the greyhound’s automatic response.

• Do greyhounds have to run every day?

Greyhounds enjoy running just like all other dogs, but a leash walk 3-4 times a day will be sufficient. The occasional trip to the dog park will also make them very happy!

• Can I walk a greyhound without a leash?

For the safety of the greyhound, we must insist that he/she is absolutely never walked without a leash outside of an enclosed area. Their attention could be drawn to an object and their instincts may take over without regard to their general safety. Also keep in mind that a greyhound can run 70kph so they may run for a few minutes and find itself lost and far from home.

• Are greyhounds good with children?

Greyhounds will be happy amongst children who understand and respect pets and their boundaries.

Retired Greyhounds

• What type of training will a retired greyhound have?

By the time you adopt a racing greyhound it would have been taught how to walk well on a leash and racing greyhounds are also crate trained.

• How old is a greyhound when it retires from racing?

Greyhounds are generally between 18 months and 4 years of age when they are retired from racing. However, the average retirement age is approximately 2 years of age.