Greyhounds are generally recognized as racing canines. They are hunting dogs by breed and can run up to 40 miles per hour.
However, it turns out that greyhounds make ideal family pets since they are sensitive and affectionate dogs. However, do Greyhounds make good apartment dogs?
The short and sweet answer to this question is a resounding ‘yes’. In fact, due to their low space requirements and calm nature, Greyhounds make excellent apartment dogs.
However, before you contemplate bringing one into your apartment, here are a few things you need to know about Greyhounds.
Pros of Owning a Greyhound While Living in an Apartment
It doesn’t have to be difficult to experience the joy and company only a dog can provide if you live in an apartment.
Of course, having a dog in an apartment building may present some difficulties. However, here are a few reasons greyhounds make excellent apartment dogs:
They Have Low-Maintenance, Short Coats
You probably would prefer that dog hair wasn’t all over your apartment rooms. The good news is that Greyhounds have short, smooth coats that don’t shed much and require little to no grooming.
Additionally, because their skin has less oil, they typically don’t smell like other dog breeds. Hence, a Greyhound may be the ideal choice when deciding which breeds make the best apartment dogs.
However, every Greyhound is different. If you own one that has a shedding problem, consider brushing its coat once every week.
Furthermore, if you find hair on your couches and sofas, a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment will do the trick.
They Don’t Hate Being in a Crate
Given the limited available area, it’s likely that your canine companion will make the living room, bedroom, or kitchen its permanent home.
However, when you leave for work or household chores, you might not want to leave your dog unattended in these places for long.
Greyhounds, especially racing dogs, are accustomed to spending most of their time in crates. Your Greyhound will therefore feel entirely at home in a crate when you need a little break.
In fact, they could hesitate to leave this secure place even while you’re home since they love it so much.
They are Softies
Greyhounds don’t require a lot of space to live since, for the most part, they like to be right next to you. They are large dogs who love to sit on your lap.
So, get accustomed to watching television with a 30kg weight on your lap and be prepared to give up a lot of couch space.
Greyhounds are highly loving and can give anyone who dares to stop petting them an eye roll.
They Don’t Have “Small Dog Syndrome”
Naturally, a small dog is the first thing that comes to mind when considering canines for small places. And some little dogs do make suitable pets for apartments.
However, many smaller breeds may also be rather noisy. Just adopt a Chihuahua, and you will understand what we are talking about!
These small dogs bark at every sound and noise, including the postman and the neighbors. On the other hand, Greyhounds are calm by nature.
They are more likely to relax and chill in their space alone instead of bothering the neighbors with constant barking.
Nevertheless, every dog is unique. Even though it’s unusual for the breed, your dog could bark more than other Greyhounds.
So, give your dog the appropriate amount of activity, so they don’t become bored during the day. This will reduce their likelihood of barking tenfold.
Barking is a symptom of separation anxiety, which is equally treatable. So, please do whatever you can for your dog to make it feel comfortable and protected even when you’re not home.
They Don’t Need to Exercise Daily
If you mention that you’re considering adopting a greyhound, you’ll probably get a warning about how much activity they need.
That is not the case at all. Most greyhounds will be pleased with a few quick daily walks.
In fact, if you live in an area where it frequently rains, you might sometimes have to battle with them to get them outside. Trust us; Greyhounds are massive couch potatoes.
They Can Be Trained to Climb Stairs
Of course, greyhounds can go up and down your apartment stairs. However, they need to be trained to do such a thing securely. So, teach your new Greyhound how to climb stairs as soon as possible.
That said, Greyhounds struggle a lot with stairs. One issue is that they can sometimes leap down flights of stairs rather than walk them. This can lead to accidents like broken legs.
Some dogs will need to learn how to climb stairs because it’s not something they naturally do. You can teach them by placing treats on every step.
That way, your Greyhound will take a single step as it grabs the treats, moving on to the next step. Additionally, when doing this, ensure that your dog is on a leash.
Some Greyhounds also have a fear of stairs. So, ensure you’re not rushing your dog, as it will only worsen this fear.
Tips for Living with a Greyhound in an Apartment
Here are a few tips for keeping your Greyhound happy and healthy while living in an apartment:
Adopt a Retired Racing Greyhound
The main debate surrounding greyhound racing is what happens to the dogs once they are no longer fit for competition.
In the past, many Greyhounds were put down before dog welfare organizations stepped in, while others were sold to labs for testing.
So, adopting such a dog will give it a good home and save it from being given the lethal injection. Here are a few benefits of adopting a retired racing Greyhound:
- Retired racing Greyhounds can easily adapt to any environment, let alone an apartment
- Compared to the other large dog breeds, greyhounds have a longer lifespan. When retired greyhounds are put up for adoption, they are typically between two and five years old.
They typically live for 12 or more years.
- Retired racing dogs are generally healthier than other breeds. They are well-kept and looked after due to the competitive nature of Greyhound racing.
- Because racing Greyhounds wear face-covering muzzles when they run, there is a misconception that they are violent dogs.
However, the muzzles are meant to keep them safe from harm. They are extremely friendly, kind, and amiable dogs.
Never Take Their Leash Off
Greyhounds enjoy running and chasing after small animals. They are canines with a high prey drive, so when they spot or scent a cat or other small animal, they will dash after it without hesitation.
In fact, once the chase game begins, there is little you can do to stop it. It’s common to hear stories of Greyhounds being run over by a car or running after something and never returning.
Greyhounds will ultimately not look at anything else while chasing after something.
Therefore, they must always be kept on a leash outdoors to keep them safe. Only take the leash off when they’re in a safe, fenced-up area.
It’s been claimed that trusting your greyhound off-leash is the worst mistake an owner can make.
So, the general guideline for caring for a greyhound is to know that it won’t obey you if it’s chasing something down.
Beware of Dog Parks
It’s crucial to give a Greyhound a few days a week to run about and stretch its legs. Here, dog parks are the best option for owners, particularly in urban areas.
Dog parks are typically great for introducing your Greyhound to other dogs and providing a secure area to play and run off-leash.
However, for the safety of your Greyhound and other dogs, several safety measures must be followed when bringing a Greyhound to a dog park. These include:
- Identifying the ideal time of day to take your Greyhound to the park. Take your dog when there aren’t many dogs around and when it’s cooler outside
- Ensuring the park fences are sturdy and high enough to prevent your Greyhound from running away
- Taking extra precautions when visiting parks with small pets.
Most Greyhounds have a high prey drive. Therefore, if they spot a small dog in the park, they may start chasing after it.
- Avoiding letting out your Greyhound in hot weather
- Ensuring your dog doesn’t get dehydrated while running around
- Of course, Greyhounds are short-haired dog breeds, so you’ve likely got your dog a sweater to keep it warm. So, if it’s wearing a dog sweater, remove it before letting it off its leash.
Follow an Exercise Routine
Your Greyhound will spend most of its day lounging and resting on your apartment couch. However, exercise is a must to keep your dog mentally and physically healthy.
Due to the limitations of apartment life, walking is the ideal exercise for Greyhounds. It not only stimulates their minds but also gets their body moving.
In fact, your Greyhound will be able to spend its energy throughout the day more effectively if you establish a regular walking schedule.
Additionally, your dog will feel more secure and at ease since he knows what to expect from his day. That said, your Greyhound requires at least 45 minutes of exercise daily to remain healthy.
Also, this dog breed is a runner and needs space to run a couple of times a week. So, finding a dog park near your apartment would be best to fulfill your dog’s health and fitness requirements.
Understand Your Greyhound’s Medical Needs
Certain medical issues uncommon to other canine species can affect Greyhounds. Barbiturates, flea treatments, and worms are a few examples of such issues.
Furthermore, compared to other breeds, retired racing Greyhounds are more likely to get cancer. So, it would be best to visit a veterinarian right after adopting one.
Places You Can Adopt a Greyhound From
Listed below are a few places you can adopt a Greyhound from:
Rescues and Greyhound Shelters
Many Greyhound rescues are open in the US and are full of dogs looking for loving homes!
So, check with your neighborhood rescue organizations and animal shelters to see if Greyhounds are available for adoption. Additionally, don’t forget to look into Greyhound-only rescue organizations.
This will be the best option as there is no assurance that a Greyhound will be available at a shelter or rescue that works with all dog breeds.
Greyhound Breeders
If you want to adopt a Greyhound puppy from a breeder, ensure you first visit the facility where the puppies are reared to watch out for warning signs.
You should be able to visit your puppy’s parents and siblings with the breeder’s permission. Everyone should be in a clean, acceptable setting and in good health.
Furthermore, don’t forget to ask some questions. Discuss potential health issues with the breeder and ask for vet documents.
It’s crucial to verify on paper that all of the pets are well cared for. Parents and puppies should get all of their shots and be tested for common health issues.
Wrapping Up
A Greyhound might be the ideal roommate if you’re seeking a companion and pal to live with you in an apartment.
Although Greyhounds require little upkeep, you must be certain that you can meet their unique needs and requirements.
Ultimately, owning a dog is a long-term commitment that requires effort and time. So, to give your Greyhound the life it deserves, you must address its emotional, mental, and physical demands.
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