The Greyhound is an old and much-loved breed that was first recognised by the American Kennel Club way back in 1885. For most of the time since then, they have been used in racing, but their lovely temperament also means they make excellent family pets.
In this guide, we’ve given you all the information you need about the temperament and personality of this charming breed.
The Greyhound is iconically known for its great sporting ability, but this dog is so much more than their speed and agility. Here are some of their main traits.
The Greyhound temperament is loving and affectionate, forming very close bonds with their owners and families. Most Greyhounds do best when they’re showered in love and attention, and they love nothing more than spending time with their humans.
Although they were bred as racing dogs, their favourite thing in the world is to lounge around on the couch with their owners. So, if you’re looking for a cuddly companion, the Greyhound dog breed may be for you!
Greyhounds are reserved and gentle dogs and can be quite aloof around strangers. This is normal for the breed group, but to prevent them from becoming overly shy, it’s recommended that you socialise them early around strangers.
Greyhounds tend to be easy to train due to their high level of intelligence, and they respond well to obedience training. If you’re adopting a retired racing Greyhound, then it will have never experienced living as a domesticated pet.
Due to this, retired racing Greyhounds will require more training than regular Greyhound dogs.
Greyhounds make amazing family pets who love nothing more than to show their owners tons of affection and devotion. But what are they like with other dogs, other pets and kids?
Greyhounds will usually get on well with most dogs, but if your Greyhound has a high prey drive, they may view small dogs as prey and chase them.
However, not all Greyhounds have the same level of prey drive, and if you get your Greyhound puppy from a reputable breeder or pet store, you should be able to ask them for information about their parents to help you determine this.
As with smaller dogs, Greyhounds can view small pets and other small animals as prey which means you’ll need to supervise them whenever they’re around smaller pets at home.
Compared to many other dog breeds, Greyhounds are very friendly dogs, and they do tend to be affectionate towards children. However, Greyhound puppies will need to be socialised early around children so that they learn how to properly behave around them once they grow into adult dogs.
You should also always make sure that you teach young children how to behave around young dogs so that they can get used to interacting with them gently and calmly.
Due to Greyhounds’ natural timidness and docile nature, they can be prone to becoming overly axious in certain situations, which can lead to them being very stressed and anxious.
They can be particularly startled by sounds and environments that remind them of a Greyhound racing track if they have previously been involved in racing.
Many Greyhound rescue groups can give you advice on how to best train your Greyhound to be more comfortable in these situations, but it will require you to have some patience at first.
Due to their love of company, Greyhounds don’t react well to being left alone for long periods of time, and they are susceptible to separation anxiety. This can lead to them becoming very stressed, and they are only suitable for homes where there will usually be someone around to keep them company.
Greyhounds are known for being very quiet dogs, and they don’t usually tend to bark. If your Greyhound is barking a lot, it may be because they’re overly nervous or aren’t receiving enough attention. So, with the right amount of care and affection, excessive barking shouldn’t become an issue.
Greyhounds are known for being the fastest breed of dog, and so many people assume that they require a lot of exercise. However, their physical needs are easily satisfied by a decent, daily walk on a leash. It might even take some convincing to get them out of the house.
Due to its racing background, the Greyhound is still one of the most misunderstood breeds, but more and more dog-lovers are starting to realise just how charming and affectionate these lovable pooches are.
If you’re looking for a devoted companion with lots of love to give, the Greyhound may be just the breed for you.
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