GROUP 4 - HOUNDS

Brief History
Greyhounds are an ancient breed. In the past only Kings and the aristocracy were entitled to own a Greyhound. An excellent hunter, with super speed, their main purpose was to put food on the table and to be the companion of man. They hunt primarily by sight and have extraordinary eyesight, reportedly seeing game 800 metres away, and can accelerate to 70 kilometres per hour in only a few strides.

Average Life Span
When considering a dog please realise that you are taking it on for its lifetime.

The average life span is 11 to 14 years.

Temperament
Iintelligent, loyal and a devoted companion, his nature is very affectionate, sweet and sensitive, with an uncanny sense of humor.

General Breed Description
Elegant, graceful, powerful and curvaceous. Greyhounds make the best companions and are excellent house dogs as they are basically a couch potato except when his well-developed “instinct to chase” is aroused. They are easy going and fit comfortably into a daily routine.

Extremely affectionate and loyal, they consider themselves an equal member of the family, meaning they think they have as much right to sit on the couch as anyone else.

Having lived with humans for thousands of years, they seem to have developed an extremely high sense of “knowing”.

Socialization and training should start early.

Greyhounds come in many colours. Red, blue fawn, black, blue, red brindle, black brindle, blue brindle – and any of these colours broken with white.

Coat and Care Requirements
Greyhounds have a short, dense, smooth coat that requires minimal grooming. A quick rub down with a hand glove once a week is just about all that is needed, with the occasional bath.

They need a moderate amount of exercise, so a daily walk is recommended. Good fencing is also required.

Size
Height: Males 71 to 76cms (28 to 30ins), Females 69 to 71cms (27 to 28ins).

Health
All breeds have individual health issues. When speaking to breeders it is recommended you enquire about breed health and what health testing the breeder does. Generally, the greyhound is a healthy breed. However, health conditions will occur occasionally.

Suitability
Greyhounds are an excellent family pet and companion.

In Conclusion
Now you know a little more about this breed. If you have decided this is the dog for you and wish to investigate further, please contact the Breed Club or Dogs Victoria. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog events where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the breed and its needs. With any breed of dog, it is important to research and determine suitability for your lifestyle before committing to a puppy which will be a part of your family for many years to come.

Whilst many breeds are recommended for families, it is imperative that when children are with dogs they are supervised at all times. Basic obedience training is a vital part of dog ownership.

Dogs Victoria is about the responsible ownership of all dogs and in particular the preservation of pure breeds.

Link to Dogs Australia Breed Standard https://dogsaustralia.org.au/breed/detail/138