Greyhounds Myths & Misconceptions

There  are many reasons why people chose to adopt a greyhound, but quite often  they stumble upon them by accident when researching what breeds may  suit their lifestyle or they are recommended by an existing greyhound  servant…

But why is it that  people don’t just automatically think of greyhounds when they start  thinking about adopting a canine companion?  Because of the extensive  list of myths and misconceptions that surround the breed!

They  need loads of exercise.  They can’t be around other animals.  They’re  boring.  They aren’t attractive looking dogs.  They aren’t affectionate.   They must be aggressive as racing dogs.

The list goes on…and none of them are true!

Sure  enough, nine times out of ten when you see someone walking their  greyhound they’ll be walking along with their head down as if they have  the weight of the world on their shoulders!  As a result, they can look  ‘boring’ and ‘unengaging’ when compared to a waggy Labrador or nutty  spaniel.  Sadly, that’s just their face and trust us…they know how to  use those sad brown eyes to their advantage when it suits them!

At  the end of the day, they’re so lazy it’s all just too much of an effort  to be out on a walk!  They may be engaged and excited about it for the  first 10 minutes and then they’re like…why am I not back in bed already?

The  idea that greyhounds need a lot of exercise is one of the most common  misconceptions we come across, and without doubt, if you are a greyhound  servant, you will have had someone ask you how much you must take them  out!

As retired racing dogs, it  is assumed that they must be highly strung, energetic, prey driven and  not suitable to be around other breed, that they must need so much  running time each day and need to work like a collie or husky…but it  couldn’t be more untrue!

Greyhounds  are infamous for only needing 2 x 20-minute walks each day, while the  majority thoroughly enjoy more exercise than this, they don’t NEED  it…which is one of the main factors that make them so adaptable to  different homes, especially for people that work or live busy lives  because if you haven’t got time for a great long walk in the morning, or  for a walk at all, they won’t bat an eyelid!

Also, the more you walk them, the more they’ll sleep!  They do very much enjoy their sleep!

Greyhounds  have been bred to race, they are sprinters and have the same body type  and running gait as cheetahs.  Designed for short burst of immense  speed…but with none of the stamina and endurance for extended exercise!   

Though on that basis, it can  also turn people off the idea of having a greyhound because the don’t  feel they are active enough!  But this isn’t true either!  While most  greyhounds would quite happily spend most of their day horizontal, they  do enjoy their walks.  It isn’t that they aren’t capable of it, it is  just that their stamina needs to be built up over time, once in the  home, to engage with longer walks and adventures!  

We’ve  encountered a lot of people in the past who have also not considered  greyhounds because they think they’re unattractive, lanky, skinny  looking dogs and that they just don’t come across as affectionate or  fun…

Goodness me…they may not  seem disinterested on walks, but you get that greyhound home and back  into it’s comfort zone and you better hold on tight because they are  theatrical…that is after they nap off their walk!  

They  sleep upward of 20 hours a day, but when they are awake, they are most  definitely affectionate.  They can get so close to you, lean so hard  into your legs and be all up in your grill so much that they may as well  climb in your skin with you!  
They are quite often  described as cats trapped in dogs’ bodies because they sleep all day but  then randomly get the funny five minutes, do zoomies, chuck their toys  around, have cuddles and then fall asleep again!

We dare you to disagree with this statement, but greyhounds are like emotional melodramatic toddlers at times!  
While that sounds like a bad thing…trust us, it’s not.  They just have big hearts, and love their humans so very much.

There  is something incredibly endearing about a greyhound and their  ridiculous, quirky, and silly ways!  They can be so hilarious and bring  so much joy to the people around them just simply by existing, they just  always know what you need and are always happy to oblige you!
Until  you spend time with them, and experienced it, it’s hard to imagine just  how amazing they are…especially with their general aloof nature out of  the house!  But they can’t help having a god amongst men attitude to  life…they were revered for thousands of years!

Greyhounds  are also incredibly sensitive dogs, they are very empathic and act  appropriately depending on the people they’re with…which is why so many  of them go on to become therapy dogs for schools, retirement homes or as  companion animals for children with special needs.  

If  you are looking to adopt a dog, regardless of the home situation,  you’re pretty much guaranteed that a greyhound will be the perfect fit  and with so many up and down the country in need of homes you have  plenty options to find your forever hound!