Greyhound Grooming Tips & Styles

Grooming a Greyhound is a breeze…in comparison to other breeds. But just because this dog has a low-maintenance coat doesn’t mean their grooming should be neglected. So, what does grooming a Greyhound require?

This article will look at all a Greyhound’s grooming needs, including coat care, nail trimming, and more.

Do Greyhounds Need Haircuts?

The coat of a greyhound is short, smooth and glossy, and they don’t have an undercoat, which makes grooming a Greyhound incredibly straightforward, and they don’t need to get haircuts.

It is entirely possible that your Greyhound will never need a haircut, and if they do, it would typically be a tidy-up around the chest, pads, feet, tail, or sanitary areas.

How often do Greyhounds need a haircut?

If you think your dog needs a slight tidy-up, this will be as and when you see fit. Greyhounds’ coats are typically short and smooth, so this should not have to be a regular thing.

Greyhound haircut styles

If you are looking for a dog to experiment with different haircuts, a Greyhound is not for you. The short, smooth coat should lay flat, and there isn’t much else you will be able to do with it. Haircuts on Greyhounds are typically for tidying up certain areas.
 

How Do You Groom A Greyhound At Home?

Greyhound grooming is relatively low maintenance and can easily be done in the comfort of your own home. It’s unlikely that you’ll need to trim the hair of a Greyhound, but regular brushing and occasional bathing of your pet are easy to do.

How to Brush a Greyhound

The Greyhound’s permanently pressed coats don’t need too much attention, but brushing regularly helps to keep them free from dirt and remove dead or loose hair.

Using a soft rubber brush two or three times a week will usually be enough. Be gentle, as with their low body fat and thin skin, they won’t enjoy rough brushing!

As well as brushing, investing in a hound glove can be a great way to care for your dog’s coat. The glove has rubber bristles and lets you stroke your dog normally, but you get all the benefits of brushing the coat.

The hound glove is also a great way to bond with your dog and calm them if they get excitable during brushing.

How to Bathe a Greyhound

Greyhounds don’t need to be bathed too often, and between two to four times a year should be enough. Doggy odour can be an issue with some breeds, but Greyhounds don’t suffer from it.

If you plan to bathe your Greyhound, the following steps will help.

• Step 1: Brush your Greyhound or use a grooming mitt to remove loose or dead hair as well as any tangles.
• Step 2: Run the bath for your dog and place a rubber mat so the dog feels confident when standing and does not slip. Don’t fill the bath too full. Three or four inches should be enough, and lukewarm water is best.
• Step 3: Wet the dog using a jug, hose, or shower. Don’t get the dog’s face wet.
• Step 4: Rub the pet shampoo into your dog’s coat. Shampoo around the head area last to minimise the risk of it going into the dog’s eyes.
• Step 5: Rinse the shampoo off your dog, ensuring you leave no residue, as it can cause itching.
• Step 6: Dry your dog with a towel after its bath. Remember to have your towel to hand; otherwise, your dog might shake and soak the entire room!

Greyhound Additional Grooming Requirements

Getting a good grooming regime in place is an important part of keeping your dog clean and healthy. There may be some parts of it that the dog enjoys more than others, but using positive reinforcement and treats for these parts can make a difference.

Ears

Cleaning a Greyhound’s ears is vital and can minimise the risk of ear infections. Checking them every week for hair, dirt, or infections is a good start.

Use a cotton ball dipped in warm salt water to gently wipe the outer ear and keep it clean. Try to keep them dry as well because the warm, damp interior of an ear can become the perfect breeding ground for bacteria.

Eyes

Using a damp cloth to gently clean around the eyes and minimise the risk of tear stains or eye boogers should be done when needed.

Teeth

Brushing your dog’s teeth at least three times a week will help to keep them clean. Greyhounds suffer from dental problems, so it is vital to stay on top of this. As far as dog breeds go, Greyhounds have a higher percentage of dental issues than any other breed. Find a toothpaste flavour they like, and they will see it as a fun experience.

Greyhound nail clipping

Walking your family pet will help to keep their nails at an acceptable and comfortable level, but sometimes walking isn’t enough. Trimming your dog’s nails is a job that nobody looks forward to, but it’s important that it gets done.

Getting your dog used to the nail clipper and the sound it makes can help it be more relaxed. Using positive reinforcement, a gentle and relaxing tone, and treats when trimming Greyhound nails can also be helpful.

How to do it

If you don’t feel comfortable or your dog shows signs of aggression, it might be best to use a professional groomer. Alternatively, follow these steps to trim your dog’s nails at home.

• Step 1: Sit the tools you are going to use out so the dog can sniff them and get comfortable around them.
• Step 2: Find an area where your dog will be comfortable and won’t be easily distracted.
• Step 3: Practice holding your dog’s paw and gently applying pressure to the centre using your thumb and forefinger to spread the paw.
• Step 4: Using the nail clipper, gradually start clipping down from the end in small increments to ensure you don’t clip too far down.
• Step 5: After clipping the nail, stop to praise your dog and give them a treat. As your dog gets used to this, you will be able to work through more nails at a time before stopping.

How often does it need to be done?

There are no set rules as to how often this should be done. Checking them regularly will help you determine when to cut them.
 

FAQs

When should you first groom a Greyhound?

Grooming your Greyhound puppy as soon as you receive it will help it get used to your regime and the tools used.

How often should I bathe my Greyhound?

Roughly every three months will be sufficient for bathing a Greyhound.

Do Greyhounds require professional grooming?

Typically, Greyhounds won’t require professional grooming, and regular brushing should be enough.

Should I shave my Greyhound for summer?

You shouldn’t shave your dog for summer. Shaving your dog can cause issues with their coat, and dogs are naturally designed to cope with certain weather.
 

Final Thoughts on Greyhound Grooming

If you’re on the lookout for a low-maintenance dog that doesn’t need extensive grooming, the Greyhound might be the breed for you. Regular brushing and the occasional wash will help to keep their hair and skin clean and in good condition. Shedding isn’t a big problem for Greyhounds either, making them a popular breed among dog lovers.

Even the most inexperienced dog handler will get to grips with the grooming needs of a Greyhound quickly.