As the owner of a Greyhound and as a great lover of this breed for a long time, I have realized that it is one of the most mythified dogs, if possible, along with the races considered dangerous. The Greyhound arouses a great fascination and pity in people, both for its physical beauty, for its natural elegance, and for its known destiny in the hands of unscrupulous hunters, who hardly deserve the qualification of "people." Walking with a Greyhound is a unique experience, the person who stops you on the street and asks you about this breed is not missing, but many are surprised when I tell them that I live in a small studio of 50 square meters with him, and there it is where misunderstandings begin
The Greyhound in a Floor.
People think that greyhounds, being the fastest dog on the planet, are nervous animals that need to spend hours running at full speed, which makes them unfit for floors. Nothing is further from reality. The Greyhound is a sprinter, not a fondist. As usually happens with other fast species in nature, the Greyhound has an explosive start, a fast run, but a low resistance. After a race of just a few minutes, the Greyhound will fall asleep and panting. This makes them ideal partners to have on a floor. A Greyhound that leaves in the morning, which is allowed to run for a few minutes at full speed, will be another cushion of the sofa for the rest of the day.
Another advantageous addition is the long naps that these dogs like to take. A Greyhound is able to spend the negligible figure of fourteen hours sleeping. This makes them ideal companions for people of calm character who are looking for a relaxed dog, since at home they become practically invisible. Adding that another advantage, this is possibly very important for those with sensitive noses, is that it is a breed that does not smell any. Not even when wet is a dog that gives off an unpleasant smell, which makes them great dogs for those most concerned about the smell of their home.
The Greyhound Character
The Greyhound is, by nature, a noble and shy dog. With an incorrect socialization, the dog will tend to become scary and withdrawn with strangers, but it will be a delight for the family. A well socialized Greyhound is a cheerful and lively dog that is always willing to play. He is not treacherous, he will always let you know what he thinks at all times, although he will be very diplomatic. As a companion, he is a simple and intelligent dog, attached to the owner but nothing sticky. The Greyhound will not demand constant attention, he is content to be lying where you are, to know that you are there.
Due to its history of abandonment and its sensitive character, the Greyhound can develop Separation Anxiety, a phobic syndrome that consists of an absolute fear of being alone. Therefore, precautions should be taken the first days at home, accustom it to stay alone from the first moment, avoid sleeping in the same room as us, in our bed.With other dogs, it is generally of good nature. It is preferable not to join it with too territorial specimens since the Greyhound is not a dog that knows how to impose itself, and runs the risk of being hoisted at the pleasure of the other dog. Two greyhounds together will take a thousand wonders, they have a very particular language that, among them, they understand perfectly.
Your games may seem raw, using your hands more than your mouth for it. It is not uncommon for the Greyhound to encourage other dogs to pursue him, his favorite hobby. With children it is an ideal dog, as long as the little ones are well behaved and know how to treat the dog. Being shy and quite sensitive, they don't tolerate rude children who hurt them and overwhelm them. The Greyhound will not answer them, but it can become more shy, and it can even get scary. If the child knows how to treat the dog with education, he will be an ideal friend.
Do not forget that the Greyhound is a hunting dog, and has a strong instinct. Therefore, when joining with other pets, precautions should be taken, especially birds and rabbits. It is perfectly possible to have greyhounds and cats together, but if the dog is an adult, and especially if it is a hunter, precautions should be taken and the introduction made to avoid accidents. Similarly, being a hunting dog and very fast, it should not be released in unsafe places, since they can travel several meters in just a few seconds and can escape. The call will have to work a lot to be able to release the dog with certainty that he will not escape, especially in the bush, where if they see hares it is possible that he will run after them and get lost.
The Greyhound and the Garden.
The greyhound is not a garden dog. Her little fat and fine hair leave her body exposed in the face of the weather. In winter, it is recommended that the greyhound is wearing a coat or sweater that protects it from the cold, and in summer care should be taken against heat stroke. As with any other dog, you should avoid taking the dog in the hottest hours, or try to make the walk fast and for your needs. The cool hours of the morning and night are ideal for the greyhound to go out. The greyhound is not a dog that endures well being separated from the family. Like any dog, it suffers a lot being relegated to the position of a mere garden decoration. We must bear in mind that it is a sweet tooth and therefore, a greyhound in a garden is easy prey for thieves, hunters and those who want to use them as sparring to train fighting dogs. The risks of poisoning and leakage must also be considered.
The Greyhound Training.
Many people consider the greyhound as a silly dog of difficult training. These people have never had a greyhound. The greyhound is an intelligent dog, but his intelligence is focused on the independence of thought. It is not uncommon to find the greyhound in a thoughtful attitude, observing its surroundings, or even experimenting with it. Their very Spanish mischievousness leads them to be dogs capable of making their own decisions and deductions. Many learn to open doors, even inwards. Garbage cans are a claim, especially for those copies that have been abandoned, so caution should be taken with them. Being so tall, they reach almost anywhere, so it is preferable not to leave anything they can catch up to.
Negative training, that is, through punishment and imposition, is totally discouraged. Being sensitive dogs, it is possible that we do more harm than good to the dog and cause trauma. Nobody wants their dog to obey him for fear. For the greyhound, a positive training based on prizes is better. Being a self-thinking dog, you should be motivated a lot, food is a good claim. Once motivated, the dog learns very quickly to understand orders, like any other dog. In my experience I have observed that basic training with this dog is very easy. Teaching him where he has to do his things, or not to pull the leash, has been one of the most rewarding experiences for me. Having a dog that does not pull on the leash and is able to walk by our side, with its stately and somewhat clueless air, makes the walks memorable and very pleasant experiences. This makes these dogs ideal for older people. Their tranquility and delicacy makes them perfect dogs to have at home. In my experience I have seen that my dog takes special care with things in the house, avoiding cables and obstacles and avoiding throwing things.
The Greyhound's Place.
The greyhound is a fat-free dog, with very localized and bony muscles. Hard surfaces are very uncomfortable and can cause corns and wounds. The most recommended for the greyhound is a soft and soft bed with a blanket or similar, since they like to build nests. Being cold, in winter they will thank you. Although the favorite place of the greyhound is the sofa. It is preferable, especially during the first few days, that the greyhound has its place at home, a safe place to stay when we are not. This can be a room, the hallway, the kitchen, or the place that is considered convenient. Like any puppy, the greyhound puppy is a destructive whirlwind capable of the greatest mischief. Therefore, it is preferable that the puppy is destined for a safe place where it cannot break much, partly because of our anger when we arrive and find our favorite shoes torn apart, and partly also for the welfare of the dog, to avoid intestinal occlusions and possible poisonings with toxic things, as well as the danger of the cables.
The Greyhound Game.
Our first greyhound has come home and we are looking forward to pampering and filling it with gifts and toys. The greyhound is a somewhat special dog for games. Hard bites may not make it too funny. In my experience, the toys with which he has played the most have been those that I have been able to throw at him, like balls with whistle, that are somewhat soft, and the knots. The greyhound does not pull, but it can be taught to bring back the toys we throw at it. Being sight hunters, that's what they do best. Another type of toy is the Kong stuffed with food. The greyhound, being intelligent, will have a good time trying to unravel the mystery to get the food inside the ball.
Keep in mind that the greyhound has a very good view, but a bad smell. Fast games, explosive movements, both with your hands and with a toy will be the most fun for you. The "Hunting of the prey", using a blanket to hide our hands and make them move will also make us spend a lot of fun with them. Of course, races in controlled environments, with them, will have a lot of fun. They are not excessively playful dogs. The games will entertain you for a while, but then the greyhound will return to his favorite hobby, sleep. This can make, for more active people, not the ideal dog.
The Greyhound Care.
Like any other dog, the greyhound will have minimal specific care. The greyhound is a very clean animal, it is not uncommon to find him doing long cleaning sessions throughout his body. Even so, the bathroom is advised once a month, or every two months, with a mild and mild shampoo. The greyhound is not an animal very fond of water, so we may have to get used to enjoying the bath, massages and prizes are essential to make you lose the fear of bathing. We must use warm water so that it does not go cold, and a towel to dry it well when leaving the bathroom. The greyhound, for its fine hair, will dry very quickly, but still we should not leave them in places where it can catch cold while it has a wet body. As a personal experience, the first time we bathed him he fell asleep in the bathtub.
A daily brushing with a soft bristle brush, or with a mitten, is enough to remove dead hair. The greyhound molts little hair, the molts being concentrated twice a year, in spring and autumn. Even so, it is an easy to clean, soft hair that does not stick in the tissues, which will greatly facilitate household hygiene. Ears should be checked and teeth cleaned daily with a brush to prevent tartar formation. Cartilage bones and hard bread also help maintain oral hygiene.
In the veterinarian, you will have to be careful with anesthetics with barbiturates, since they do not tolerate them well. Also keep in mind that some specimens may have a variety of hemophilia. We will discuss this with our veterinarian in case the dog needs surgery. The basic veterinary care will be the same as those of any dog, vaccines according to its calendar, and periodic reviews. Due to their fine hair, the use of antiparasitic collars and pipettes is essential to prevent them from catching ticks, fleas, and the phlebotome that causes Lehismania.
Greyhounds have cat feet, they claw a lot, so even when the dog exercises a lot, it may be necessary to periodically cut his nails. The greyhound has food needs just like any other dog of its size. About 500 to 600 grams of daily food divided into two doses. You should not exercise the greyhound when you have eaten, you have to wait for digestion, to avoid stomach twisting. It is advisable to give them sardines or tuna, rich in Omega 3, to obtain a bright and healthy hair.
The Greyhound's Health.
The greyhound is one of the breeds with the lowest incidence of genetic diseases. Surprisingly, despite its fragile appearance, it is a very tough dog, a born survivor. Care should be taken with stomach torsions, which affect most large breeds. Therefore, it is preferable to place the bowl of water and food in high places, so that the dog does not have to stoop to reach them. There are special bowls with a base, although a cube or a box also serves to place the bowl at the height of the dog's chest. In general, it is a healthy breed that, well maintained, can give us joy up to fourteen. To conclude, it is an addictive breed, an excellent pet that will delight any home that is willing to offer its place to one of these magnificent dogs
How to educate a Spanish greyhound?
The Spanish Greyhound is a dog that although it seems otherwise, he's really shy. However, if something appeals to you, is curious and not shy at all.
The best option for educate a Spanish greyhound is to socialize it since this is a puppy if possible, because as an adult it is difficult but not impossible for him to learn to be with other animals and also with people.
In this way, it is always convenient take him for a walk in the parks like a puppy and once you have the vaccines up to date, so you can learn.
However, even if you are socialized and polite, it is never advisable to walk the Spanish greyhound without a leash, because at any time, you can run when an animal, a person, an object or a noise calls your attention, so a collar and a strap avoid such incidents, being very important to know that if you release it, you have to do it in quiet and controlled areas, if possible in large spaces but with high fences.
When you start meet other dogs, let them approach you with puppies and adults and dogs of all sizes, the important thing is that learn to communicate well With everyone. However, if you notice that a bad time is happening and you are very afraid, do not force it Do not ask a specialist for help.
Be especially careful when the greyhound is adopted and older, since you may have problems, especially if you have been mistreated and that is to educate a Spanish greyhound, you will have to be extremely careful and socialize it more slowly, this will prevent you from feeling halfway in the presence of other people and will give you time to get used to your surroundings.
Tips to keep the Spanish greyhound calm at home
The Spanish Greyhound it is not a particularly nervous or conflicting race. However, it is a vigorous breed and there are times when you can feel a little nervous, especially in the case of rescued greyhounds.
One of these cases and as we have already mentioned, is when he arrives home because it was adopted. In these cases, one of the most common mistakes is to think that the greyhound is polite, something that they may have told us in the dog pound or the association where we adopt it.
But it's really not like that, because everything that is new to him makes him more nervous or generates a certain level of stress, so the best thing to educate a dog of this breed is teaching him the rules from day one, whether adopted or a puppy, which involves establishing routines, departure times and determining the ride duration.
You must know that this dog need to exercise, something that is extremely essential, since the lack of physical activity will make you more irritable, more anxious to move and even will cause anxiety problems. Ideally, walk three times a day and if possible, occasionally or on weekends, it is recommended that you go to a place where I can run freely.
Too you must show him his dining room, plate and bed and where you can meet your needs at home, such as the garden or terrace, teaching you simple and direct commands, since this is a pretty smart dog.
