Greyhounds as Pets

With their excellent temperaments and gentle natures, greyhounds, including retired racing greyhounds, make wonderful pets.[7] Generally even tempered and gentle, they are pack-oriented dogs which means that they will quickly adopt human "masters" into their pack. They can get along well with children, dogs and other family pets (though are sometimes not safe with smaller pet animals or untrained children). Greyhounds are generally loyal, tractable dogs with developed intellects. They are most affectionate towards those that they know and trust. To allow different greyhounds to hunt and race together, aggression towards other dogs and people has been nearly eliminated from the breed. Greyhounds bark very little,[citation needed] which makes them excellent suburban pets, and are usually as friendly to strangers as they are with their own family. The most common misconception concerning greyhounds is that they are hyperactive. It is usually the opposite. The greyhound is basically a quiet dog and will spend most of its time sleeping in a favorite spot.
Their talents include sighting and coursing. They do not have undercoats and therefore are less likely to trigger people's dog allergies (Greyhounds are sometimes incorrectly referred to as "hypoallergenic"). Not having an undercoat coupled with their lack of body fat also means they are more susceptible to extreme temperature (heat and cold). Most sources recommend that Greyhounds be housed inside.
Greyhounds are very sensitive to insecticides. Many Vets don't recommend the use of flea collars or flea spray on greyhounds unless it is a pyrethrin-based product. Products like Advantage, Frontline and Advantix are safe for use on Greyhounds and are very effective in controlling fleas and ticks.
Companion greyhounds must be kept on a leash because their hunting instinct has instilled a strong desire to chase things (predator drive see prey drive). Greyhounds can live in an urban setting but require moderate exercise on a regular basis. They enjoy walking and running outside.

Greyhound. (2007, July 8). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 21:38, July 8, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Greyhound&oldid=143366863