| Do
Sighthounds
need a lot
of exercise?
|
Generally
not as much
as people
think, given
the opportunity
to run free
they will
quickly tire
themselves
out. An adult
Greyhound
is fine with
a couple
of twenty
minute walks
a day providing
they have
some opportunity
to run. Some
breeds have
more stamina
and so will
require a
little more.
|
| Do
I need to
give my Greyhound
special Greyhound
food? |
No, this
is food for
a racing
Greyhound.
When kept
as pets they,
and other
sighthounds,
have no special
dietary requirements.
|
| I've
heard Sighthounds
cannot live
with Cats
and other
small animals,
is this true?
|
This will
really depend
on the dog
in question.
Ex-racing
greyhounds
and dogs
that have
been used
for Coursing
may be a
problem because
they have
been trained
to chase
small furries
but many
are happy
to retire
from that
life. Brought
up with Cats
a young Hound
will just
see them
as part of
the pack
(usually
the boss!).
Some other
Sighthounds
do have such
a high prey-drive
that they
would not
be safe living
with small
animals but
that is also
true of most
breeds of
dog. It can
often be
true that
a Sighthound
that would
chase a cat
while out,
is fine at
home with
cats.
|
|
Can a Sighthound
ever have
100% recall?
|
Due to
the strength
of the prey-drive
most hounds
cannot be
called back
once they
are committed
to the chase,
so 100% recall
is pushing
it a bit
although
no doubt
there are
exceptions.
Sighthounds
are very
intelligent
dogs and
tend to view
commands
more as a
suggestion
to ponder
over than
a command.
They will
come back
but often
only when
they have
finished
what they
are doing.
|
|
Do Sighthounds
get on with
other breeds
of dog? |
Yes. Ex-racing
Greyhounds
have often
never seen
anything
other than
other Greyhounds
on their
retirement
and it can
take them
a while to
get used
to the idea
of other
breeds of
dog. Apart
from that
situation,
Sighthounds
are very
sociable
although
there is
nothing they
like better
than another
sighthound
to run with.
|
|
Do Sighthounds
have many
health problems?
|
It is
hard to generalise
here but
many Sighthounds
tend not
to have inbred
weaknesses
that other
breeds can
suffer from.
This is because
they have
been bred
over centuries
to be hunting/working
dogs and
so weakness
has tended
to be bred
out of them.
|
|
Do Sighthounds
make good
guard dogs?
|
Maybe,
maybe not.
All dogs
are territorial
and will
raise the
alarm when
they feel
their patch
is being
invaded,
Sighthounds
are no different
although
maybe inclined
towards the
more laidback
"oh it's
you" style
of guarding.
|
|
Do I need
any special
equipment
for a Sighthound?
|
| Sighthounds
necks can
be damaged
by pressure
on a regular
collar so
they should
wear a special
wide collar.
many people
prefer to
use a harness
as Sighthounds
tend to be
good at slipping
collars having
small, narrow
heads. Lots
of toys and
a comfy sofa
are also
essentials.
|
|
If you
have specific
questions
please
ask on
our forums.
|
