Information on Temperament and Character of the Greyhound Dog Breed
The Greyhound is a very sociable breed of dog, enjoying the company of other dogs, children and family pets, including cats. They are loyal, independent, intelligent, affectionate, sensitive, and good with children. This dog is quiet, calm and extremely well-mannered indoors and reasonably easy to train.
Living conditions and Exercise Requirements of the Greyhound Dog Breed
The Greyhound dogs and puppies are best suited to living in the country because they require a substantial amount of daily exercise and for their own safety. Grey hounds loves to run and chase outdoors, and can easily run into danger at great speed unless exercised in a safe area.
The Pictures reflect the Size of Adults - not Children and Puppies!
The pictures above allow for a useful comparison of sizes providing an accurate portrait of the size of an average Greyhound - essential information but unique to this site. It should also be noted that the pictures feature adults. The size of puppies are naturally considerably smaller and the full grown size of the animal can easily be forgotten when confronted with cute puppies! The slogan " A dog isn't just for Christmas - it's for life!" was necessitated by well meaning people buying puppies at the Christmas, unaware of the puppies growth rate. The pictures provided make it extremely clear exactly how small puppies will develop and whether it will suit the life and living conditions of the family.
Greyhound Puppies
The following considerations should be taken into account when choosing greyhound puppies:
- Budget - Purchasing, training, equipment, medication and feeding costs of the breed
- Convenience and Grooming time e.g. long or short hair
- Personal situation - time available and medical conditions such as allergies, asthma or back pain
- Exercising requirements for the Greyhound breed
- Living Conditions for the dog breed - suitability for puppies
- Family - child suitability
- Puppy and Dog Names - The Importance of choosing the right names
Age comparison between the Greyhound Dog Breed and a Human
Age comparisons between dogs and humans are always a matter of debate - we hope that the following information clarifies the situation. After the first year of life, a dog is equivalent to sixteen human years. After two years, they are equivalent to a 24 year old, at three years a 30 year old, and each year after, add 5 human years to determine a dog's age.
Life Expectancy of the Greyhound Dog Breed
The life expectancy for this particular breed is 10 – 13 years.
Hound Dog Breed Information
As implied by its name a hound dog has been bred to chase a quarry by sight or smell, or a combination of both senses. Sighthounds have exceptional eyesight, combined with the speed and stamina necessary to catch the intended prey once seen, typical examples being the Greyhound and the Whippet. Hounds which rely strongly on the sense of smell to follow the trail of a prey, such as the Bloodhound, quite literally follow their noses, speed and eyesight is of less importance.
Characteristics and features have been introduced and strengthened by breeding from animals who already demonstrated the desired traits. Breeding for appearance was only introduced in the 19th Century. Before this time dogs and puppies were bred to increase useful abilities and traits helpful for the duties they were intended for. Thus, the various hound breeds were initially introduced to help man according to specific requirements such as:
- Hunting and running down small quarry
- Flushing out and Driving game
- Vermin Hunting
- Guard duties
- Tracking
In this day and age only a few hounds still undertake these tasks, but nevertheless, they still harbour the skills and characteristics that made the original Greyhound dog breeding program successful.
The Hound Breed Group of dogs differ in that some hunt by scent and others by sight. Many hounds are kept in packs, in outdoor kennels. Any dogs and puppies belonging to the Hound breeds require a significant amount of exercise as they have high stamina levels suitable for hunting quarry. There are some breeds in this group who make a distinctive ' baying ' sound - invaluable information should be considering puppies. The pictures above allow for a useful size comparison providing an accurate portrait of the size of an average Greyhound dog - essential information but unique to this site.