18 Shades of Grey
From Racin' to Relaxin'
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FAQ
 
  • How are they with children?
    Greyhounds are very gentle, loving dogs. Greyhounds love children and other pets. Greyhounds possess one of the best temperaments of all dog breeds. Gentle, patient and sensitive, they make ideal companions for children and seniors alike. (Children must be taught to leave the dog alone when it is sleeping, eating, or playing with a chew toy). Greyhounds are often tolerant of children, especially if they have been raised with them. Being non-aggressive, a Greyhound will generally walk away from a worrisome child, rather than growl or snap. However, even the gentle Greyhound has its limits, and should not be subjected to continuous harassment.

 

  • Are they aggressive?
    Greyhounds have a very gentle and quiet disposition. To allow different Greyhounds to hunt and race together, aggressiveness towards other dogs and people has been nearly eliminated from the breed. Their sensitivity and intelligence make them quick learners, and good candidates for obedience training. They sleep up to 20 hours a day and have a reputation for being couch potatoes.

  • How are they with other pets?
    They are very sociable and enjoy the company of other dogs. If you have a cat or small dog, we will test the greyhound before you adopt it to judge if the dog is able to live with your other furry family members. Greyhounds are the prototypical sighthound, a group of hounds that pursue their prey by sight rather than scent. As with all sighthounds, Greyhounds have a very strongly developed chase instinct. In spite of this, it is possible for Greyhounds to peacefully coexist with other pets, including cats, dogs, and even rabbits!. Even after you've trained the Greyhound not to chase the family indoor cat, this does not mean that it won't chase the neighbor's cat.
 
  • Is it necessary to have a crate?
    Yes and no. Greyhounds spend most of their racing life in a crate but once they have learned the house routine, a crate can become unnecessary. It depends on the dog. Some just feel more secure in the crate, kind of like their own little personal space.

 

  • Can they stay outside?
    Since greyhounds naturally have little body fat and a thin coat that does not protect them against weather extremes they are only suitable to be house pets. Greyhounds love romping and frolicking outdoors (supervised), but after play time, they belong indoors.

 

  • How about an “invisible fence” or a chain or tether?
    These are all very dangerous for greyhounds. An “invisible fence” does not keep intruders or other animals out of your yard and with the greyhound’s instinct and training, the zap of the fence won’t deter it. Greyhounds must never be “tied out” since they can run up to 45 miles per hour and reach top speed in just a few strides. They would easily snap their neck when they reach the end of a chain or tether.

 

  • Do they make good watchdogs?
    No. Greyhounds are very friendly and affectionate and are most likely to greet a stranger with a wag of the tail rather than a bark.

 

  • How long do they live?
    Greyhounds are a healthy breed and their life expectancy is

      12 to 15 years.

 

  • Can my vet treat a Greyhound?
    Greyhounds have different body chemistry than other breeds due to their lack of body fat. They require different anesthesia and medications than other breeds. They are also very sensitive to toxins present in flea collars and treatments, lawn treatments, etc. You’ll want to be sure your vet is aware of these differences before any procedures are performed on your greyhound. ESOG can also make recommendations of local vets who are greyhound knowledgeable.

 

  • How much do they eat?
    Most greyhounds eat between 4 to 6 cups of food each day (2-3 cups in the morning, and 2-3 cups in the evening). We recommend premium dog food such as ProPlan, Nutro, Natural Blend, Natural Balance, Nature’s Recipe, etc. Corn products may cause gas and wheat may cause allergies, so try to avoid these ingredients.

 

  • Do they need a lot of exercise?
    Although Greyhounds are the fastest breed of dog, they achieve their incredible speed in one all out sprint, and do not have a lot of endurance. A Greyhound is quite content to be a "couch potato" and spend most of the day sleeping. Since they don't have a lot of endurance, a Greyhound actually requires less exercise time than most dogs.