Greyhounds love to be the centre of attention, talked to and shown plenty of love by the owner. They will take possession of the family's best armchair or sofa - if this is allowed! They love kindly and considerate children and most can, from puppyhood learn to live peacefully together with other animals in the household - even including cats!
It is very important to take a puppy and young dog everywhere with you and for it to have plenty of positive experiences, so that as an adult it will tackle every situation, both known and unknown, with aplomb.
Greyhounds are good as watchdogs and generally do not bark unless there is a real reason for doing so. They don't dribble, they are seldom car-sick and have little of the known hereditary illnesses. They hate rain or lying on hard surfaces and a happy wagging tail CAN hit your leg quite hard! Their fine hair does not smell "doggie" and you hardly notice if they are moulting.
A Greyhound only wants to please it's owner and they are easy to train with kindness and firmness. Although you don't really need to take them to training and obedience classes, they do love to get out and have fun together with other dogs. One should only take them to those obedience classes where tid-bits and praise are in abundance - and remember, you mustn't ask a Greyhound to sit for long periods of time as this is not natural for them and is a strain. They are intelligent and quick to learn, but can also "play up" if things get too boring and repetitive or they can't see any rhyme or reason in the exercises - one must be clever to hold their interest and only train for short periods.
Then there's always racing, both on tracks and coursing over the countryside after an artificial hare. They all love a chance to run free.
However, despite what many people assume, Greyhounds do NOT need masses of exercise to keep them in form. They are sprinter types who, after a short run around in top gear, are quickly tired and ready for lying decoratively in the nearest warm armchair again, like living paintings or works of art!

A Greyhound enjoying some coursing. With coursing, the artificial hare zig-zags about, which most dogs prefer as it's much more exciting and "life-like" for them! The "hare" is winched in on a very long cord and can zig-zag behind bales of hay (instead of bushes) so appears even more exciting and realistic. They can't resist it and it's wonderful excercise for them. The dog is wearing a special plastic racing muzzle to prevent it from destroying the rabbit skin at the end of the cord!

A word of warning: Greyhounds, as with other Sighthounds, can be difficult to anesthetize and there are certain dangers attached. Tell your vetinary to take special care, for often they do not require as much anesthetic as ordinary dogs of similar weight. Many have lost their lives at the hands of an inexperienced vet.

The joy of owning such a "royal", elegant, sweet natured and loving Greyhound is just as great whether or not you want to go to dog shows, to racing, agility and obedience or just want an adoring companion always to be around you.

Greyhounds in Denmark are very few and so we have few "rescue" problems or unwanted puppies. It might interest you to know that it is forbidden in Denmark to sell kittens or puppies in pet shops. This does cut down the number of "impulse purchases" that so many people regret later, plus a good deal of cruelty. Nor is there any "puppy mill" to beware of. If you want a greyhound, you go straight to the breeder - who in many cases, will take the dog back if things don't work out. You can also get heaps of good advice about your Greyhound and it's care and all questions answered in full. You may even become friends for life and many come back another time for one more! - You certainly will if it's Hanne you go to!

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