Greyhounds and the cold
Greyhounds have relatively thin skin and very little body fat. This is great for helping them cool down after a run, but it also means that they are susceptible to cold weather.
The need to maintain their vital organs at a fairly constant temperature means that the body has to work harder during the winter to keep warm. This can affect diet and potentially cause injury when exercising.
If the greyhound’s core temperature drops, its body automatically tries to keep the important organs warm by restricting the blood flow to the skin and extremities. You will have experienced cold fingers and hands on a very brisk morning, along with the exposed skin that’s cool to the touch and which turns bluish. This same process happens in greyhounds to try to conserve heat when the outside temperature is low.
If this is not enough to maintain the core temperature, the body will try to generate heat by shivering, which is an involuntary muscle activity. Shivering is an indicator of significant temperature change within the body, and it uses up quite a bit of energy to create the muscle contractions.
Past this point the dog enters into hypothermia (hypo– meaning ‘below’, –thermia meaning ‘temperature’).
For the greyhound, being cold is not only uncomfortable, but it can mean that they lose condition due to the change in their energy requirements. Now they not only have to fuel their normal activity but also have to use energy to create warmth just to function normally on the inside. This may mean they need more calories in their daily diet.
Cold muscles are also more susceptible to injuries, ranging from minor tears to more serious ones.
What can you do?
Make sure that your greyhounds are kept warm when the weather is cold.
For greyhounds that sleep outside, a bed that is well off the cold ground, and making sure that your kennel building is not leaking or subject to draughts.
Make sure that each dog has a clean and dry kennel to sleep in. Winter weather does not make it easy to keep things clean and dry, but wet dogs, wet bedding, and wet kennels can lead to very cold greyhounds.
You might need to put a warm coat or jacket on the dogs, especially in the evenings and overnight. Make sure that coats are regularly inspected for damage, and are not tied on so tight that they are uncomfortable when the greyhound curls up, nor so loose that the dogs are constantly getting tangled in them. All coats and jackets should be regularly cleaned too – male dogs are notorious for peeing on the edges of their coats!
Watch your dog’s weight
It may be that your greyhounds will need more food to maintain their weight in the winter time. Monitoring skin and coat condition and body weight will quickly tell you if something isn’t right. Keeping them warm may not completely stop changes in condition, but it will help.
By paying attention to your greyhounds needs during winter, you will save yourself time and money and avoid injuries and illness.
Meet our dogs ready for adoption
All greyhounds adopted from GAP are de-sexed, vaccinated, microchipped, wormed and health checked.
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Bellatrix
Xinji ARP
Xinji (pronounced Shin-jee) is a lovely young girl who has a world of love to give you. She can be a bit of a worrier and can be shy when she first meets you, but with a little bit of time and patience, we know she will blossom into a wonderful companion. She walks well on the lead and will be looking for a quiet household to settle into. She may be happy living with or without another canine companion of any size, though she would prefer having access to a backyard. She may also suit full time workers and living with children aged in their teens.
Hermione
Jett
Coco ARP
Meet the lovely big boy, Coco. Even though he is big, he is a very polite, gentle, sensible boy who is affectionate and loves a pat and wants to please his person. If you love taking long drives in your car, well Coco will be your sidekick for the ride, as he loves to travel in the car and would spend all day in there if you’d let him. Coco may suit living with or without a medium or large canine pal and children aged 10 years and older.
Sally ARP
Sweet, happy, affectionate and super friendly are all things that make up Sally! She is a happy-go-lucky pup that just LOVES people. She has experience in a home and loves her treats. We think she may suit living with or without another male dog of any size and children 5 and over.
Rose ARP
Meet Rose, a 5-year-old lady with a heart of gold. Formerly known as Lady Rosina Hook on the racetrack, she's traded in her racing shoes for a life of leisure and love. This sweet and friendly girl is a people person, thriving on attention and interaction. Though she can be cautious and anxious at times, Rose is always willing to try, making her a lovable companion. With her personable nature, she'll charm her way into your heart. And with her great social skills, Rose gets along swimmingly with dogs of all sizes - she's a true lady! She may do best in a home with older children aged 10 years+.
Freddie ARP
Meet Freddie, a sleek black 4 year old boy. His race name is "Transponder" but let's call him "Signal Strong" because he's always transmitting love and affection to those around him. This friendly and outgoing guy is always on the same wavelength as his humans, craving attention and connection. With a puppyish playfulness and a dash of submissiveness, Freddie is a team player who'll fit right in with any pack. Tune in to Freddie's frequency and discover a loyal companion who'll be by your side through thick and thin! Freddie may suit living with or without a canine companion of similar size and children aged as young as 5 years old.
Stumpy ARP
Meet Stumpy, the adorable 21-month-old greyhound who's as sweet as can be! This little gem was born without a tail, making her one-of-a-kind. With her youthful energy and puppy-like charm, Stumpy is a bundle of joy. Despite being tiny in size, her personality is larger than life - friendly, personable, and always eager to please. Stumpy can get a bit anxious, but she's always willing to try, making her a lovable companion. Get ready for a lifetime of snuggles and smiles with this pretty little greyhound! Stumpy may suit living with or without a canine friend of any size and children aged 10 years and older.