Sighthound Owners?
November 9, 2009 by admin
Filed under Care & Training Q&As
Borzoi
Deerhound
Greyhound
I am looking for the right dog for my personality and some sighthounds seem to fit the bill, but I have a few questions:
I have heard that greyhounds are easy to train and though they like to run, they are perfectly content to nap the rest of the time… are the other sighthounds I mentioned like this as well or are they high energy and more stubborn?
What, in your experience has been the longevity and health of any or all of the 3 breeds?
About how much does it cost monthly to feed these dogs? They are all very large, but some of them don’t seem to weigh much compared to their height so is feeding them extremely costly?
Some large dogs are recommended for small spaces like apartments but others must have large yards. What would you suggest for these breeds?
Lastly, are any of these dogs at all protective (I’d be walking them alone and at night so it’s something to think about).
Thank’s for taking the time to answer my questions. 
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You’ve got some really good questions! Almost all of my dogs have been sighthounds – afghans, greyhounds, a pharoah hound and an Irish wolfhound.
All the sighthounds have been bred for many, many generations to run – all of them. I’ve had sighthounds I’ve let off leash in unfenced areas, but you’ve got to really know your dog. Greyhounds can never be let off leash because they’re also racers. If they see something off in the distance, they’re gone to investigate and with their speed, it’s too dangerous.
As for health – sighthounds in general are very healthy – few instances of hip dysplasia, all the usual things that can crop up, but basically very healthy. They all have pretty long life spans except for Irish wolfhounds, who have a very short life expectancy.
Again, with the exception of the wolfhound, sighthounds are very small eaters for their size. My greys (who weigh around 70 pounds) eat no more than about 3 cups a day.
Most sighthounds (there’s always exceptions) love people, get along well with other dogs, are good with kids (my afghans were exceptional with both babies and toddlers). What they aren’t is protective. They just don’t have that in them. However, a lot of people would only need to see the size of the dog.
You asked specifically about deerhounds – don’t know about health problems in that breed, but they have great temperaments – laid-back, easy going. Borzois, which I love, you need to check out breeders carefully as there were a lot with bad temperaments – extremely fearful.
As for training – sighthounds are smart, very smart but not as trainable as a herding dog or working dog that is bred to work with people. Sighthounds learn very quickly but get bored just as quickly. A trainer needs to set ego aside and be creative – they love to please and even to work, if you go about it right. All of them are sensitive dogs who respond really well to positive reinforcement.
I don’t like seeing any sighthound in an apartment because they need to be able to stretch their legs in a safe environment. I suppose the ones who could handle it best might be wolfhounds or greyhounds (but rescue groups will not let a greyhound go to an apartment environment because they can’t run.)
Hi there,
I have a beautiful female Greyhound. She is content with her two half hour walks per day (which is stax for a greyhound) and yep she is a couch potato and sleeps the rest of the day. hehe.
She costs me about AUD$100 per month for her dry food (Advance Premium) (plus a bit more if I get her treaties), but she is a fairly large dog (stands about 65cm high).
I don’t think that greyhounds are protective. I know Chloe isn’t, she has pats from absolutely everyone. If you wanted a dog that would protect you, a Greyhound probably wouldn’t fit the bill. GAP dogs don’t have to wear a muzzle, but others do (due to the Greyhound reputation). GAP, and many other people, are trying to rid the rumour that greyhounds are dangerous. They are actually very placid, lovable dogs.
I live in a unit, a rather large one though, and Chloe is very happy there. If you are thinking of rescuing a Greyhound from GAP (or another party), they would be able to select a dog that would suit your residential situation.
BTW: Greyhounds are not known for their barking either, making them the perfect pet if you live in an area with others closely surrounding you.
Hope this helps.
Ally
Some greyhounds are easy to train some are not interested in training. I have two greyhounds and the one that is food motivated learned how to bow and speak in 10 minutes. My other greyhound isn’t interested at all.
They typically live to 10-13. They are pretty healthy and hip dysplasia has mostly been bred out of the breed. I have no knowledge of borzois or deerhounds.
I buy Nutro Max dry and canned dog food and it costs me about $30. per month, per dog. Two cups of dry and 1/2 c. canned twice a day. Don’t forget that you have to give them heartworm medicine too that can be rather expensive. It costs me about $10. per month, per dog for that.
Retired racers grew up and lived in a cage their entire lives before being adopted that are typically 4-5′ square. That should give you some indication that an apartment would be suitable. An fenced in yard is more of the ideal of what we think a greyhound should have. Most of them like to still run after they retire and you can’t let them off a leash unless they’re in a fenced in area. If they see something they want to run after, you cannot catch them and they will catch and probably kill whatever it is they’re after. That is, if they don’t get hit by a car before that.
They are not a protective breed. They were not trained to be that way and most are not aggressive at all. One of my greyhounds barks if someone comes to the door, the other doesn’t. I wouldn’t trust one to protect me. They would be more scared than you would. lol
Good luck in your search. Greyhounds are great dogs and you should be able to find a greyhound rescue in many large cities in the U.S.