Greyhounds are part of a sub-group of dogs referred to as ‘sight hounds’. Sighthounds (also called gazehounds) are a type of hound dog that hunts primarily by sight and speed, unlike scent hounds, which rely on scent and endurance. There are over 110 discrete hound breeds, approximately thirty (30) of which are exclusively sighthounds.

Indoor Bedding

Your Grey will love to sleep and will spend about eighteen (18) hours a day sleeping or resting. They prefer an elevated bed, whether it is a blanket on the ground, or your bed/couch. Being sighthounds, they choose higher ground for sleeping, as it lets them survey their territory for risks. The bed you choose should be big enough for your Grey to stretch out comfortably, although they are renowned for ‘bed fails’.

A ‘bed-fail’ usually involves some of your Grey being off the bed. It is usually their head…..

Outdoor Bedding

Your Grey will like to sit outside, and it is best to provide them with some form of bedding to rest on. The best types are the trampoline-style beds that allow air flow underneath them.

Sleeping Positions

Greyhounds can sleep in a variety of positions. One of the more common positions is ‘roaching’, where the Grey will be asleep on its back with all four legs in the air and their heads turned for balance. Apart from that, they will adopt any position that feels good either on their bellies or sides.

Sleep Startle

Most Greyhounds have lived largely alone after whelping and under training. They are housed in individual kennels and don’t get a lot of interruptions. As a result, they can get frightened if awaken suddenly from sleep (if you accidentally touch them or get too close) and they may growl or snap at you.

If approaching a sleeping Greyhound you don’t know, call their name and wait for them to open their eyes and focus.

Dreaming

Greyhounds do dream and may move, or vocalise, while dreaming. If you are concerned, wake them by gently calling their name until they open their eyes and focus.

Toys

All Greys love soft toys and will play with them endlessly. They will chew them, throw them, chase them and tug them. They love toys that make noise and expect them to destroy the toy to recover the squeaking mechanism. They don’t tend to chew and swallow inert objects however they are great recyclers and will forage cardboard boxes, milk cartons, take-away coffee cups and plastic bags