Greyhound Discussions

Greyhound

This is my dog Jack (Number One Son)


This is Jacks dad (Plasterscene Gem)


This is grandad (Frightfull Flash)


Animal anthropologists generally agree that the Greyhound - type dog is one of the seminal canine breeds from which virtually all domestic dogs descend. They can be traced back over 8000 years to early cave drawings and decorative artifacts. The distinguishable modern Greyhounds are descendants of an ancient identifiable breed that goes back to the Egyptians and Celts. The Egyptians worshipped Greyhounds as a god and frequently showed them on murals in the tombs of kings. In old England "You could tell a gentleman by his horses and his Greyhounds." Old paintings and tapestries showing hunting feasts frequently included Greyhounds.

Legend has it that Cleopatra had coursing Greyhounds, and they are the goddess Diana's hunting hounds. Modern history has been replete with famous Greyhound owners including Frederick the Great, Prince Albert, and Generals Von Steuben and Custer.

The derivation of the term Greyhound is unknown, but has nothing to do with color. One possibility is that it is from old English gre-hundr, meaning dog hunter or high order of rank. Over the centuries, Greyhounds have traveled with explorers and generals, adorned the suites of kings and queens, appeared in fine art and literature, and been the focus of major industries in both Europe and the United States.


The Greyhounds placed by adoption organizations are generally retired, trained athletes. Although organizations may very infrequently have Greyhound puppies or dogs that have never been trained for the track, these are much more the exception than the rule.

Greyhounds are generally bred by professional breeders who look for speed, endurance and even temperament. Most are bred on "farms" located throughout the country where the breeders pay close attention to the physical soundness and emotional disposition of the puppies. As a result, hereditary physical and temperament problems have been avoided in the breed.

For the first year of their lives Greyhound puppies live together with their litter mates and are handled frequently by the breeders and other staff associated with the breeding "farm," but they are not exposed to other breeds of dogs. Consequently, they are surprisingly socialized to people and strangers but not to other breeds of dog.

Basically a Greyhound is like all other dogs, but because of its training and racing career has some unique characteristics.

Greyhounds, like all other dogs, are pack animals which means that they are social creatures who live in a social hierarchy. This socialization is particularly strong with Greyhounds because they have been in the company of a large numbers of other dogs from birth.

They need to know who the "alpha" figure, the pack leader, is so that they know how to behave. The "alpha" figure sets the rules, enforces discipline and is responsible for the safety, health and well being of the pack. There is always competition and testing in a pack for taking over the role of leader; the strongest member leading the pack insures its survival. As a pet, your dog will look to you to be the "alpha" figure. One of the first behaviors you will probably notice is your new dog following you from room to room looking to you for leadership. If you do not fill the role of the "alpha" figure in terms your dog can understand, it will be perfectly willing to take over if it is allowed.

Most dog behavior problems arise out of an owner's misunderstanding of the proper role of the pack leader. Among the more common problems arising out of a misunderstanding of the leader role is the reinforcement of shy insecure behavior by trying to avoid all distressing situation in an attempt to comfort an insecure dog.

Because of their early training, retired Greyhounds have never been without the company of other Greyhounds and have never had the opportunity to really be a puppy. They may need to act out some puppy behavior, like chewing, which they typically quickly outgrow. They are anxious to please and can be trained to standard obedience commands with patience and consistency. They are used to a leash, love to walk and will learn to heel quickly. Most Greyhounds do not know how to sit, climb stairs or play games only because they have not yet learned. With time they can learn all of these things.

Greyhounds have never been exposed to other breeds of dogs. They know other Greyhounds but may be perplexed, frightened or simply ignore other breeds. They do not know cats. Greyhounds do not know how to defend themselves except by flight and will often "freeze" if attacked.

Greyhounds are used to traveling and adapt quickly to riding in cars.

Greyhounds do not typically bite but sometimes show affection as a wolf does with mouth agape, gently grasping. They will lick your hand, too. They show affection with their whole body and may rub up like a cat or lean against you.

Greyhounds have no fat layer on their bodies which makes them sensitive to winter cold or rain. If outside for more than a short time in bad weather, they should be protected with a coat. No dog should be left outside in the cold.

They are not barkers by nature, but will bark if excited or trying to tell you something like needing to go out.


Here are both my dogs, Jack and Judy

Great pics and info Migirlsuk!

Great looking dogs!!! they are stunning!

Lovely dogs!

lovely dogs.

You can also see the pedigree`s of both my greyhounds, the first is Judy,s the second pedigree is Jack,s

http://www.greyhound-data.com/d?z=nsoOHI&d=sleepytime girl

http://www.greyhound-data.com/db.php?i=286360

not mine, but a friend of mines greyhound called 'tilley' she is a sweetie and even though smaller, can floor and pin her utonagan housemate!

thanks, i think so too!

Oh my... they are all beautiful.:smt049

Here are my adopted greys.

First there was Mindy.


ThenAbby.




And finally my big momma's boy Rusty.

Great pics everyone Don't forget you can submit pics for inclusion in the breed profiles too

www.dogsey.com/greyhound.htm

AWWW i had a greyhound called Max he was the brindle type! I just love htis breed and would consider owning onces again, lve the racing type and all the pics are beautiful

hi lots of nice lookin dogs i am thinking bout getin a greyhound wot r they like in the houes

They tend to lie around sleeping all day at home. There alot of rescue sites/centres that have ex racers in need of homes. Do an online search to have a look.

im lookin for one to work with would a rescue one worrk

Great stuff

I never realised they had such an upbringing, great for them but must be difficult when they go into a family pet environment. The info is invaluable thank you

Beautiful greys! Photos of my Grey mix coming soon... Just got to sort through and find the best ones

Greyhounds make the best pets, don't they?

LOL sorry, I got really carried away with that. Because it seemed off topic considering she isn't even a purebred I made a seperate thread.

Here: http://www.dogsey.com/showthread.php?t=62159

These dogs are gorgeous, I'll DEFINATELY have one some day!