Greyhounds

Breed History

Greyhounds are thought to be one of the oldest domesticated breeds in history. Their lineage can be traced back over thousands of years and are thought to be one of the only dogs mentioned in the bible*.  They are a sighthound and known racers. 

General appearance

The Greyhound is a large, athletic breed with a narrow head, long neck, muscular legs and slim build. They can reach heights of up to 73cm and weight in up to 27- 40kg.

Temperament

Greyhounds are a gentle and intelligent breed with very powerful legs and a slim build allowing them to reach incredible speeds of up to 43mph. Due to their loving nature and enjoyment of company, Greyhounds make great companion pets. They are very human orientated and are generally known to be good with children. It is always best to assume caution when introducing any dog to children and ensure the dog is monitored when in the company of a small child.

Health considerations 

Unfortunately, as is true of many pedigrees, there are certain health conditions which are passed on from generation to generation due to the inbreeding that has occurred.

Medical conditions that we need to be aware of include:

Arthritis or Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD), which is particularly common in retired racing Greyhounds, feeding your Greyhound a Joint Supportive diet, like Pooch & Mutts’ Joint Care Dry Food may help to  minimise the effects of DJD. Greyhounds may also suffer with dental disease, digestive problems, eye problems and have a pronounced sensitivity to cold weather.

Trainability 

Greyhounds are an intelligent breed who enjoy learning new tricks. Positive reinforcement is always advised.

Grooming

Greyhounds are low maintenance when it comes to grooming. Their short, sleek coats may require a light brushing with a rubber brush or grooming mitt every few weeks. When bathing your Greyhound ensure you use a gentle canine shampoo to avoid skin irritation.

Exercise

Greyhounds are excellent runners. In fact, they prefer off-lead running to on-lead walking and you should ensure you have access to a secure space large enough for your Greyhound to let off steam. Aim for at least 1 hour or exercise for your Greyhound per day.

Feeding considerations

As members of this breed are often predisposed to digestive problems, finding a gentle, premium kibble is important. Browse our full range of dog food and treats for sensitive stomachs. They're junk free and have added ingredients to provide functional benefits for dogs with sensitive stomachs. 

You'll find a handy feeding calculator on every product page here at Pooch & Mutt to help you identify how much of our health led recipes are right for the age, size and weight of your dog.