Greyhounds have been bred as hunting dogs that can easily outrun their prey, reaching speeds of up to 72km per hour. They are usually intelligent, affectionate, and loyal dogs that have easy-going personalities.
Although Greyhounds are athletic, they don’t require excessive exercise because of their low endurance. Mostly calm, this dog breed is very happy with being a lapdog.
Want to learn more about this breed? Read our guide below to see if Greyhounds are the pet for you.
If you’d like to get to know the breed a little more closely, here are a few key traits and facts about the Greyhound:
On average, Greyhounds have a lifespan of 10-12 years.
On average, male Greyhounds can grow to 76cm tall, and female Greyhounds can grow to 71cm tall.
Greyhounds have a smooth, short-haired coat that is relatively easy to maintain. However, they shed an average amount of hair and might need to be brushed frequently.
Greyhounds can thrive in social households that have plenty of love to give and the time and energy to socialise them. If not socialised early and thoroughly, Greyhounds might become timid and have trouble adapting to new environments.
Once they become comfortable with their surroundings, these friendly pups have no difficulty becoming best friends with other dogs and animals. Although Greyhounds can be shy initially, they tend to love human company and are highly affectionate and intelligent pets that know how to give and receive love.
Despite being great sprinters, they have low endurance and tend to tire out quicker than other breeds. For this reason, Greyhounds might be better suited for living in apartments and smaller houses than other dogs of a similar size. However, they still need to be taken out for regular walks and visits to the park to keep them active, burn off extra energy, and interact with other dogs.
Greyhounds can be low-maintenance dogs and quickly gain their way into people’s hearts through their friendly nature.
They can be a good addition to households with children, so long as the dog is socialised to live with children early.
Greyhounds are intelligent dogs that are well in tune with their sensitive side; for this reason, they tend to pick up on tensions at home quite easily.
Although Greyhounds are generally great with other dogs and people, they do tend to take a little while to warm up to their new surroundings. This is especially true for rescued Greyhounds or retired racing Greyhounds that require a little more time and patience to acclimatise to their surroundings. Rescue Greyhounds will need extra care and patience, and rescue owners should be aware that their Greyhound dog may never socialise as well as other dogs raised at home from when they were just Greyhound puppies.
Greyhounds have a short-haired, silky and smooth coat. They are usually moderate shedders and require some grooming.
Regular brushing with a rubber curry brush or hand mitten can help to control their shedding.
Greyhounds usually need moderate exercise. Their low energy levels and affinity for naps means that playtime is usually limited. Visits to the dog park and daily walks for half an hour can be help keep them active.
Greyhounds can thrive on well-proportioned and balanced meals. A combination of wet and dry food can be a good option, as is incorporating cooked and raw veggies into their diet. A carrot every now and then can help keep their diet full of flavour and nutrients.
Greyhounds tend to experience bloating issues. If your Greyhound usually devours their food, bloating could become a concern. Severe cases of bloating can be life-threatening, so preventing the condition is key. To avoid bloat, you can divide your pet’s meals into smaller portions throughout the day.
Periodontal disease or gum disease is caused by bacteria causing decay in the teeth. This leads to the dog avoiding eating, as it can cause pain. Regularly brushing your dog’s teeth to remove plaque can help to combat periodontal disease, as well as making sure that your dog has plenty of water to wash their food down after they eat.
If you’re thinking about getting pet insurance for your Greyhound, factors like age and location could affect the cost of your premium. Everyday Pet Insurance offers Basic, Standard, Comprehensive and Comprehensive Plus cover that can help protect you and your furry friend. Check what each insurance cover includes.
Claim up to $30,000 a year
Get up to 80% back on eligible vet bills
Your pet is covered from 8 weeks old for life
Claim your benefit on the spot and only pay the gap on eligible claims=
# Policy Terms and Conditions, exclusions and limits apply. Benefit limit amounts vary by level of cover.
* Exclusions, limits and sub-limits may apply.
‡ Cover is available for the life of your pet provided you renew your policy each year without any break, lapse or change in the level of Cover. This means once your pet is insured with us and as long as we continue to offer the product, you will be able to renew your policy for that pet for life provided you continuously maintain the cover. Cover is subject to the terms and conditions of your renewing policy. See details in your PDS.
= The gap is defined as the difference between the vet's invoice and the claim benefit under your policy. Policy terms and conditions apply. GapOnly® is only available at participating Vets. Please visit GapOnly® to search for GapOnly® enabled vets. GapOnly® is a trademark owned by PetSure (Australia) Pty Ltd (PetSure) (ABN 95 075 949 923, AFSL 420183).
Everyday Pet Insurance policies entered into for the first time prior to 17 July 2023 and subsequent renewals of those policies are issued by The Hollard Insurance Company Pty Ltd ABN 78 090 584 473, AFSL 241436 (Hollard), arranged and administered by PetSure (Australia) Pty Ltd ABN 95 075 949 923, AFSL 420183 (PetSure) and promoted and distributed by Hollard’s Authorised Representative (AR) Woolworths Group Limited ABN 88 000 014 675, AR 245476 (Woolworths). Everyday Pet Insurance policies entered into for the first time on or after 17 July 2023 and subsequent renewals of those policies are issued by PetSure and promoted and distributed by PetSure’s AR, Woolworths. Any advice provided is general only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. Please consider the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to ensure this product meets your needs before purchasing, or choosing to continue with the product. PDS and Target Market Determination available at insurance.everyday.com.au/pet-insurance.
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