My Greyhound Space

Greyhounds make great pets, no question about it.  There's a  certain pride in walking down the road with a sleek Greyhound resplendant in one of the lovely smart collars that seem to attract so much attention from strangers.  One thing that many owners forget is that your dog is an ambassador for the breed.

A lot of the racing fraternity give the impression that they don't make good pets.  This is particularly prevalent in Ireland.  In view of this, it's really important to ensure your Grey is on its best behaviour at all times.  Many newly acquired Greyhounds seem to be at a loss when it comes to dealing with other dogs.  They are frankly baffled by them as, in many cases, they've never seen one before.  Kept in cages with only their own breed for company, the outside world is a strange place indeed!

It just takes a bit of time to get used to what is known in prison parlance as "The out".  The prison analogy is appropriate.  Imagine being in prison for the first qurter, or more, of your life and then finding yourself in the hustle and bustle of the modern world.  It would take a lot of getting used to.

Most of them are particularly fond of children and just love to greet them and nuzzle them.  You must appreciate that not all children, or parents, appreciate this.  Explain politely there is no danger and, if you can, let them become aquainted in a controlled way.  Never let any dog bound up to a strange child, adult or other dog, it can seem like an attack to those of a nervous disposition.

Generally speaking, a Greyhound is unlikely to start any trouble.  I've owned Great Danes that have tried to attack every dog they've seen with unbridled ferocity in spite of the Dane's reputation as the "Gentle giant".  Conversely the Greyhound is thought of by many to be a hunting dog and therefore a bit wild.  It's one of your duties as a Greyhound owner to ensure that the public at large see the Grey as a gentle ideal pet, for that is indeed what they are.