Apartment living is increasing, especially in cities, and so is dog ownership. But since living in an apartment comes with limited space, it can mean less running around for your furry friend. And we all know how much dogs need outdoor space for exercising, socializing/playing, and toileting. Experts endorse certain breeds as being great apartment dogs. But a lot will depend on the owner’s lifestyle (whether or not they can cater to the dog’s needs), the breed’s temperament, and the unique personality of a specific dog. If you own or are planning to own a Greyhound, you may wonder if this large, gangly dog, usually associated with running 40 mph, can live in an apartment.
So, are Greyhounds good apartment dogs? Despite their size, this dog breed makes an excellent apartment dog. They have a calm temperament and are often considered a lazy breed. Secondly, they can adapt easily to their environment and have little grooming needs. Of course, some challenges may arise with such a large dog living in a small space, but if you’re prepared, a Greyhound can make an amazing apartment dog.
It’s natural to assume that large dogs like the Greyhound can’t live in small spaces. But that’s not usually the case. In fact, there are small dogs that are pretty noisy and wouldn’t be suitable for apartment living. It’s all about the temperament and overall behavior of the dog. The Greyhound is a friendly, loving, intelligent, affectionate, calm, and easy-going dog with a gentle disposition. It’s generally not aggressive and gets along well with other dogs and cats. And, despite their independence, they are eager to please. If these are all traits you want from a dog, a Greyhound can make a great companion even if you live in an apartment.
Are Greyhounds Good Apartment Dogs?
Are you looking to have a sleek, stately Greyhound but live in an apartment where space is limited? You’ll be surprised to know that Greyhounds make great apartment dogs. Here’s why:
Energy Levels
Don’t be fooled by their appearance. These dogs aren’t more active than average dog breeds, despite their large size. They are sprinters, yes, with powerful bursts of speed, but are generally couch potatoes, and most will prefer to stay indoors cuddled on the sofa. Your Greyhound will be content with a couple of short walks outdoors, but they don’t need much space within the home. The retired racers, in particular, can sleep for up to 16 hours a day, which will fit well with a work schedule.
They’re Quiet
Greyhounds are relatively quiet dogs and only bark when something is truly wrong. As one of the quietest dog breeds, they are ideal for apartment living as they won’t bother neighbors.
Gentle Temperament
Greyhounds are known for being laid-back, with their favorite pastime being sleeping and cuddling up with you. They are among the largest lapdogs, and you don’t need much space for that.
They Don’t Shed Much
With limited apartment living space, your dog will be spending much time in areas you use daily and you don’t want everything covered in dog hair. The good news is Greyhounds have a short, low-maintenance coat. You can manage the shedding through regular grooming, proper diet, and providing physical and mental exercise. These dogs also don’t have that typical doggy smell.
Things to Consider
Even though we’ve established that Greyhounds don’t need much space to live in, they are still a large breed, reaching up to 30 inches tall at the withers and 55-88 pounds in weight. You may want to consider just how big or small your apartment is. This may not be the dog for you if it’s a cramped studio.
The answer to the question – “are Greyhounds good apartment dogs” will also depend on the owner’s lifestyle. Will you be able to provide your Greyhound’s needs, including daily exercise, food and water, mental stimulation, training, and keeping them safe? If you have a busy schedule, consider adopting a retired racing Greyhound. These don’t need much space and can sleep close to 18 hours a day, making care effortless.
Do Greyhounds Make Good Pets
Greyhounds were originally bred to hunt their prey by sighting and outrunning them. Their tall, slender build was particularly bred for dog racing, making it the fastest dog breed. You might be wondering, “Don’t these super fit and athletic dogs need to live in the field where they can run all day?” You’ll be shocked to know that Greyhounds make excellent pets, meaning you can keep them at home solely for companionship and entertainment.
Their personality is what makes them the perfect pet for any family. They are even-tempered, gentle, affectionate, sociable, intelligent, and more. Who doesn’t want a dog with all these characteristics? They can get along with everyone in the family, including children and other dogs and cats. They do, however, have a high prey drive. This means they might not do so well with small animals. Early socialization and training go a long way in helping them get along with people and other animals in the family.
Other Reasons Why They Make Great Family Pets
They Don’t Need Too Much Exercise
Greyhounds tend to have an athletic body with muscles bulging out. As hunting and racing dogs, most people assume that they need a lot of exercise. While they can run up to 45 mph, they are actually quite lazy dogs. Two 20 minute walks every day is sufficient to keep your Greyhound happy and healthy, although there’s no harm in providing more exercise. Of course, this will depend on their weight and individual energy levels. These dogs are happy lounging and napping all day.
They Are Low Maintenance
Greyhounds have a short coat that’s easy to take care of and no doggy odor. A weekly brush and occasional bath should be enough to keep them clean and remove excess hairs before they spread everywhere.
They Are A Healthy Breed
Greyhounds are among the healthiest dog breeds with very few genetic problems. They also have a 10-14 years lifespan, which is longer than other larger breeds.
They Are Available in An Array of Colors
This dog is recognized in 18 colors, including black, brindle, white, fawn, red, grey, or a combination of these colors. This allows you to choose a Greyhound in a color that you like and matches your personality.
Do Greyhounds Bark A Lot?
Knowing the barking level of a dog is very important; you don’t want to have a problem with your neighbors. Most hunting dogs are heavy barkers as they need to stay in constant communication with other pack members and their human owners to let them know when they have caught something. Although Greyhounds were bred to hunt, they don’t have this trait. They are generally laid-back dogs and rarely back.
This doesn’t mean they don’t bark completely, just that they do it where there’s a reason. Like any other dog, barking is a Greyhound’s way of communicating. So, they will bark when they are feeling hungry, in pain, when they want to go potty, out of fear or alarmed by something, being protective or territorial, experiencing separation anxiety, and so on. Greyhounds also bark when welcoming and playing, but this is usually a happy bark with leaping and tail wags.
Loneliness and boredom could also cause your dog to bark. You want to know when your dog is genuinely in need or when they are just attention-seeking. If it’s the latter, ignore them for as long as it takes them to be calm and stop barking. Otherwise, you’ll be encouraging nuisance and excessive barking.
While most Greyhound owners will not have a barking problem, there are always exceptions. Luckily, there are several ways to reduce excessive barking, starting with exercising your dog. This will help burn off excess energy. And a tired dog will want nothing more than to sleep all day. Other solutions include teaching and using a command phrase, getting rid of the motivation/trigger, and ignoring their bark when they are using it to seek attention. Most important, don’t shout at them. They’ll interpret this as barking with them and even bark more and louder.
Do Greyhounds Need A Lot of Exercises?
Exercise is beneficial to the physical and mental well-being of dogs. It also prevents boredom and releases pent-up energy, otherwise leading to destructive behaviors such as excessive barking, digging, chewing on everything, and even escaping. The amount of exercise a dog needs to be happy and healthy varies by breed. Some dogs have greater exercise needs than others. So, where does your Greyhound fall?
Despite their great athletic ability and lean muscular bodies, this dog breed has modest exercise needs. They are the fastest dogs because they are built for acceleration, but are short on endurance. This means they are not made for large amounts of exercise and will tire quickly from exercise. In fact, they are content to sleep the whole day.
As for how much is enough, about 20-minutes walks twice a day should be enough to release pent-up energy and ensure their health. Other Greyhound exercise ideas include playing fetch, stair climbing, running, and canine sports. These dogs have little fur and thin skin with very little body fat. As such, you should not expose them to extreme heat or cold. This makes early mornings and late evenings the best time to exercise them. And while you’re at it, watch out for signs of fatigue and exhaustion.
That being said, your dog’s age, weight, and health will also determine the type of exercise and how much they engage in. Puppies’ bodies are still growing and, therefore, strenuous walks can cause harm. Seniors also don’t need high-intensity activities. A nice quiet walk around the block is enough.
In addition to physical exercise, Greyhounds need mental exercise as well. This will also help burn off excess energy, prevent boredom, release stress, and improve behavior. There are several ways you can work your dog’s mind, including puzzle toys, teaching new tricks, and training.