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Greyhound Dog Breed Facts
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Photo courtesy of Christine
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Breed: Greyhound
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Also Called:
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Height: The Greyhound is about 27-30 inches tall.
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Weight: The Greyhound weighs between 60-70 lbs.
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Colors:
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Physical Appearance: The Greyhound is an athlete that is built to run efficiently. Superb temperament, excellent as house dog and companion. Elegant stature.
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Temperament/Personality: The Greyhound is very affectionate, but will not overly dote on you. The Greyhound's gentle nature makes him a good children's dog. They have a natural tendency to chase anything small that moves and may be aggressive toward other dogs.
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Care: The Greyhound needs soft places to rest and sleep as they can develop pressure sores. Minimal grooming of their short coat is required. A firm bristle brush or comb or a rub down with a chamois will ensure a coat that gleams. Shampoo only when necessary. Nails should be cut regularly.
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Health Concerns/Problems: The Greyhound dog breed has been known to experience the following health issues: Greyhounds do not have the body fat that most canines have (less than half the amount of other dog breeds in their weight range), they cannot metabolize anesthesia well.
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Training: The Greyhound needs to be trained carefully because it is easy to break their spirit if treated harshly.
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Activity: The Greyhound's need proper attention and exercise. If they don't have it they will find other outlets for their energy, which may include chewing. They need to be exercised regularly (such as a daily walk) and the opportunity to run free in an open space occasionally.
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Life Span: The Greyhound lives an average life of 12-14 years.
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Litter Size: The Greyhound has an average litter of 10-15 puppies.
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Country of Origin: The Greyhound originated in an unknown region.
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Brief History: The Greyhound is considered to be the oldest pure breed in existence. Various theories estimate it to be as much as 7,000 years old, but it is generally accepted to be about 4,000 years old. As far back as pre-Christian times, the Greyhound had become a world traveler, having been taken to Europe, including England, throughout Greece and to the Orient. The breed was universally regarded for its sighthound capabilities and was always the favorite in coursing competitions. Greyhound racing is well known throughout the world even though negative connotations have recently been applied to the sport because of the alleged mass production of Greyhounds for racing, while only a small percentage are actually used and the remaining are disposed of.
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