Due to their extensive sporting history, many greyhound owners wonder if their greyhounds can live outside?
Greyhounds prefer and require soft, warm environments. Overall, the greyhound is not the breed for you if you want a dog that you can keep outside or if you can’t tolerate the notion of a dog on your bed or furnishings. Greyhounds are not adapted to life outside since their bony joints require cushioning and a nice, warm resting spot.
Continue reading to learn more about whether greyhounds are outside dogs, why you should never keep a greyhound outdoors, the best place to house your greyhound, how to protect your greyhound from the outdoor elements, and more.
Are Greyhounds Considered Outside Dogs?
Greyhounds are not considered outside dogs since they struggle in extremes of heat and cold because of their low body fat levels. As a result, if you plan on allowing your greyhound to wander outside for more than 10-15 minutes at a time, you must provide them with a safe and secure refuge.
Typically, greyhounds are known to be couch dwellers. Once they get all of their excess energy out, they love to curl up on a soft, comfortable couch and sleep.
Can Greyhounds Adapt to the Cold?
Greyhounds have thin skin and a low body fat percentage. This is beneficial in terms of assisting them in cooling down after a run, but it also means that they are more vulnerable to cold temperatures.
When a greyhound‘s core temperature lowers, the body’s natural response is to limit blood flow to the skin and extremities in order to keep the vital organs warm. However, shivering is the most common symptom of a significant temperature shift in a greyhound’s body, and it consumes a lot of energy to produce muscular contractions.
Being cold is not only painful for the greyhound, but it may also cause them to lose condition owing to the shift in their energy requirements. They now have to utilize energy not just to power their typical activities but also to produce warmth in order to operate correctly on the inside.
Can Greyhounds Adapt to the Heat?
Your greyhound is also at risk in hot weather since they lack the insulation to heat that other dogs have due to their lack of body fat and only one coat of fur. Therefore, a greyhound’s optimal air temperature is 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Greyhounds also require air conditioning in hot weather. Remember that the optimal air temperature for greyhounds is 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. As a result, never leave your greyhound outside or in a hot house unsupervised.
If the power goes out, keep your greyhound cool in a cold basement or in the air conditioning of your car. Find someone who has electricity and air conditioning and transport your greyhound to their home.
Why Should You Never Keep a Greyhound Outdoors?
Greyhounds are a Loving Breed
Greyhounds want human connection and love as a result of their long history of being kept in crowded kennels and racing situations that required significant handling. As a result, they’d rather spend the day snuggled up close to you than explore the backyard alone.
When racing greyhounds retire, many of them also become available for adoption. Since these greyhounds had to share a person with a dozen or more other dogs at the racecourse when adopted, they are eager to please and will soak up all the affection you can offer them.
Greyhounds are also highly sensitive canines who can read your emotions by your body language and vocal tone. When they aren’t curled up for asleep, you’ll notice that they prefer to follow you about the home, so they know where you are.
Greyhounds Are Not Adapted to Live Outdoors
Greyhounds are particularly vulnerable to the cold since they have very little body fat and a very delicate coat. It is critical to have access to a warm, dry, and secure environment at all times, and severe measures may be necessary on very cold days.
Greyhounds should not be kept as pets outside. Most dogs have a double-layer coat that keeps them warm and protected from the elements. On the other hand, Greyhounds have a single-layer coat and hence are unable to regulate their body temperature. Their 2% body fat provides minimal insulation from the cold.
Some greyhounds’ thin coats, particularly on their stomachs, can also lead them to burn if they are exposed to the sun for too long. They should wear a coat if they are going to be outside for more than a brief period of time in chilly weather.
Greyhounds Who are Left Out in the Cold Can Develop Frostbite
Greyhounds do have a fur coat; however, it is quite thin and will not protect them from harsh weather. For more than 10 to 15 minutes, most greyhounds cannot tolerate temperatures below freezing. As a result, Greyhounds left outside are more susceptible to frostbite and possibly death than other dog breeds with thicker coats.
Frostbite is characterized by pale, cool-to-the-touch skin, and a loss of feeling in the afflicted area. If you think your greyhound has frostbite, gently warm the area with warm, not hot, water before taking them to your local veterinarian.
What is the Best Place to Keep a Greyhound?
Indoors Doors with You
When everyone has gone to bed for the night, your greyhound should sleep near you either in the same room, on the bed, or on a blanket near the bed.
If you’re worried about your greyhound getting into things while you’re sleeping, keep them in the room and use a baby gate, kennel, or door to discourage them from walking around at night. If a dog is allowed to roam, they can make a mess that will not occur if they are contained.
Providing a Safe Place for Your Greyhound Indoors
Creating a safe refuge for your greyhound within your home is far preferable to keep them outside. This is also an excellent spot for your greyhound to spend time while you are sleeping or away from home.
Make sure your greyhound’s safe place is wide, pleasant, and quiet. As a result, your greyhound should have access to their bed as well as a variety of toys.
However, if you want to provide a safe haven for your greyhound in a crate, make sure it’s large enough for them and has enough blankets and cushions.
Housing Your Greyhound in a Crate – NOT RECOMMENDED
As a last resort, your greyhound can also be created while you are away from home or overnight to prevent them from getting into things in the house if they are left alone. This accomplishes a couple of goals. When your greyhound is put in a crate while you are away, he is kept safe and secure, and as a result, your home and belongings are also secured.
A greyhound may use any sort of crate as long as it is the proper size. Female greyhounds that are very little can fit into a 42-inch-long crate, but most females and males require the bigger 48-inch-long cages.
How Can You Protect Your Greyhound from the Outdoor Elements?
Extremely hot or cold conditions might be harmful to your dog, but that doesn’t mean you can’t go outside these days. All it means is that you’ll have to take extra steps to keep your greyhound safe.
If it’s hot outside, keep an eye on your greyhound to ensure they don’t overheat. If the weather is hot, keep out of the sun as much as possible and give your dog lots of cold water to drink. If you see indications of heatstroke in your dog, such as excessive panting or drooling, take him to a shaded or air-conditioned environment to cool down.
On colder days, however, short-haired breeds, such as the greyhound, are unable to endure the cold as well as bigger dogs with thicker coats. In any event, you should clothe your dog warmly for the winter months. That denotes a sweater or jacket, especially with the short fur of a greyhound.
Final Thoughts
Greyhounds enjoy and demand soft, warm settings in general. Overall, the greyhound is not the breed for you if you want to keep a dog outside or if you can’t stand the idea of a dog on your bed or furniture. Considering their bony joints demand padding and a pleasant, warm resting location, greyhounds are not suited to life outside.
Greyhounds can also not adapt to the hot or cold weather and, as a result, should never be kept or left unattended outside for long periods of time.
Overnight, it is best to allow your greyhound to sleep in the same room as you, either on your bed, on the floor or in a crate to hinder them from wandering. This will not only keep them safe and comfortable but give you peace of mind that they are not up to any mischief.
Overall, greyhounds are notorious for being couch potatoes. They enjoy curling up on a soft, comfy sofa and sleeping once they’ve expended all of their surplus energy.