The Greyhound is part of a particular family of dogs known as sighthounds. Sighthounds are hunting dogs. Their long legs allow them to spot distant prey and chase them down with ease. Learning to take care of a greyhound puppy means learning to work with these beautiful animals and their specific traits.
The Greyhound, in particular, is bred more often for its fantastic racing ability. More and more countries are banning Greyhound racing, however, because the industry was known for mistreating animals.
Pros & Cons of Raising a Greyhound Puppy
If you’re unsure of whether or not you should choose a Greyhound, take into account these pros and cons.
Pros of Greyhound Dogs
- They are tall, elegant, and beautiful animals
- Their fur is easy to take care of and low-maintenance
- They are highly energetic dogs
- Greyhounds are calm, quiet, and dignified
- They are known for being polite and respectful, both with people and other animals
- Greyhounds are generally quite easy to find
Cons of Greyhound Dogs
- Greyhounds need a home with an enclosed, outdoor space so they can run around
- They tend to chase other animals
- They can easily become timid and fearful
- Greyhounds are notoriously independent which can make them difficult to train
- They are highly emotionally sensitive which can make them struggle in stressful situations (though their emotional intuition can be a pro)
Tips on Raising a Greyhound Puppy
If you’ve decided that the Greyhound puppy is best for you, then these tips and tricks will help you learn how to raise them.
Feeding a Greyhound Puppy
Greyhounds are large dogs, so you can expect to feed them slightly more than other dog breeds. As a puppy, you’ll generally want to feed your dog more food than you would feed an older dog. You should also break up their meals into smaller portions so that they’re eating several, smaller meals throughout the day.
Exercise for Greyhounds
Greyhounds are an interesting mix. While they have boundless energy, they are also content hanging out at home for most of the day. That said, you need to make sure that you provide them with an area where they have a chance to let off steam at least a few times a week. Opt for larger, off-leash dog parks where your dog can have a chance to run full-speed.
Grooming a Greyhound
Greyhounds are easy to groom and don’t require much in terms of maintenance. In fact, giving them a weekly rub with a damp cloth should be enough to keep them in good shape. Make sure to trim their nails on a regular basis and brush their teeth.
Conclusion
Taking care of a Greyhound puppy isn’t that much harder than taking care of any other dog. Remember to provide them with lots of love, high-quality food, and enough space to exercise.
If you’re still undecided about what type of dog you want to get, there are always other options. Check out this guide about taking care of a brown German Shepherd puppy or find out if there’s somewhere that you can buy Chesapeake Bay Retriever puppies near you.