Greyhound Dogs
Elegant Dogs With An Ancient Heritage!
Greyhound dogs are sleek and graceful with the sharpest vision of all the sighthounds and a keen intelligence.
Knowledgeable sources date the origins of the breed to about 8,000 years ago, through the discovery of cave paintings
depicting their likeness.
Some later evidence - about 4,000 years ago - revealed very similar dogs found in
Egyptian tombs.
Ultimately, it is believed that the dogs made their way to England with the help of the Celts
during the early 11th century. Arrival in America came around 1500.
The Greyhound was originally used in the sport
of coursing hares and there are stories that Cleopatra kept greyhounds for such use.
Today, this breed, considered
by many to be the fastest dog in the world, is involved in racing. These beautiful dogs make wonderful pets and many are
available through adoption organizations.
Appearance
Height: 18-20 inches
Weight: 48-55 lbs.
Color variations: Double-coated in gray with black tips, although it can
be just gray or black, with the latter being quite rare.
Coat and Care
Owners who don't like the grooming part of dog care, will enjoy the easy maintenance of the Greyhound's short, dense coat
which just needs some routine brushing and an occasional bath.
Personality and Traits
Greyhound dogs are gentle souls with a lot of dignity. If they are adopted after a life on the racetrack, they may appear more
reserved as a result of being raised with a pack of dogs - usually in a kennel. Likewise, if they have become accustomed
to living in a pack "order", they will be looking for their leader, or "alpha dog". If you don't take on this role, they
will by default!
Personalities among these hounds may vary - some more outgoing than others, but in general they are
very loyal and loving and bond with their owners quite strongly. They are known to have high intelligence and
housetraining is not normally a problem, but because they are also sensitive in nature, a gentle approach works best.
Activity Level
Obviously the Greyhound likes to run. In fact, regular daily exercise is a must. If you happen to be a jogger, or enjoy distance running, you will have the ideal buddy after he is given some prelininary conditioning. If, not try to find some open space where you can exercise this magnificent dog.
Space Needs:
Not fussy about space - apartment or house will do. Back yard or access to outdoor area is ideal.
Children
Greyhound dogs have a reputation for getting along very well with most children. As with any dog play involving children,
supervision by an adult is always recommended.
Elderly
Very loyal dog and would be a good companion for the elderly, if they can provide the daily exercise that Greyhound dog breed needs.
A Tribute To Jenni
Jenni, my caring neighbor, passed away November 11, 2007, in the prime of her life. She was a strong
supporter and member of the Greyhound Dogs Rescue. Her own rescued dog, Derick, that was so beloved by her, died shortly
before Jenni's health challenges began.
What a joyous reunion Derick and Jenni must have had at the Rainbow Bridge
before they happily crossed over together. God bless them both.
Footnote: Today many organizations are trying to help change
the sad plight of Greyhounds involved in the racing industry. Others are doing their best to find homes for as many
retired dogs as they can. You may wish to learn more about this at www.greyhounds.org.
Book Recommendation:
Adopting the Racing Greyhound
Those who adopt an ex-racer have spared an intelligent, elegant dog
from either immediate destruction or eventual destruction in a research laboratory. But, if the adopter does not know how the dog was trained, fed and cared for during its track life, and how to modify or change these practices, then the result will be an unhappy owner.
This book covers everything you need to know to have a successful adoption and fun with your new dog. Also includes a list of all the Greyhound dog breed adoption
centers nationwide.
Dr. Pitcairn's book is one of the most trusted references for natural pet health care. Anyone who is interested in the holistic
approach to natural healing as well as chemical-free nutrition for their pets will find this book invaluable.
Also Available To Read On Your Kindle
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