Greyhounds and the cold

Health & Well Being
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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Bobby

3 years old

Bobby is a lovely young man, just look at his beautiful light-coloured eyes, they seem to stare into your soul. Bobby is a social, friendly and affectionate boy who is keen to move into his furever home. He may suit living with or without a canine pal of similar size and children aged 10years and older.

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Mika

6 years old

Look at the beautiful Mika! How pretty can you get in a picture? She is just as pretty in real life we can assure you. She can be a bit playful at times, so won't suit living in an apartment. However, we are happy to report she walks on the lead and is easy to handle. She has successfully completed our onsite Behavioural Rehabilitation Program and is now ready for adoption! She may suit living with or without a canine brother of similar size and children in their teens. Mika has an auto immune disease called "Pannus", which affects the eyes. This is controlled with daily eye drops, ongoing.
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Dasha

2 years old

Meet the sweet dazzling Dasha! Dasha loves nothing more than treatos and will do almost anything for them! She may be easily trained with her motivation for those tasty treats. She is quite an active young girl and loves doing zoomies so she wouldn't suit living in an apartment. Dasha may suit living with or without a canine brother of similar size and children aged 10 years and older. Dasha has successfully completed some further training in our onsite Behavioural Rehabilitation Program and is now ready for adoption.
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Arrow

5 years old

Meet Arrow, this handsome boy is looking for his forever home. His loving nature and affection, he’s sure to bring joy and companionship to his family. Arrow thrives on attention and interaction, and hell reward his family with loyalty. Arrow is best suited to a household where he can be by himself, allowing him to settle in and become the beloved companion he is meant to be. He may be okay with another large or medium canine buddy. He might do well with kids 10+ who understand his boundaries and is respectful. If you are looking for a friendly, loving and confident doggo to join your family, Arrow is the perfect fit. Arrow has previously had a break in his right hand foot. This isn't causing him any trouble in his day-to-day life though!
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Hulk Smash

4 years old

Hulk is a smashing lad who is as soft on the inside as a marshmallow, we promise! The only thing he wants to crush, is your hesitation around welcoming him or one of his fellow hound heroes into your life! Hulk gets a little over exuberant at times, and needs to work on his lead skills, but this is an easy habit to overcome! If you are prepared to be patient and work with him, Hulk promises to protect and defend your heart until his last breath and beyond. He is friendly, puppyish, confident, and needs a yard to do his zoomies in and body slam those squeaky toys. He may suit living with children 10+, full time workers, and may do well on his own or with a medium or larger canine friend to take on the world with. He is a leaner, but is also independent, the perfect balance. So what are you waiting for? Come and meet him today, your love story might just be a knockout!
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Sam Iam

4 years old

Sam Iam the super sweet and social boy that just wants to please you and give you all loving that he has to give. Sam is good to walk on the lead and we think he may suit households that love to get out and about. We think he would be better in a home with a yard and no elderly or frail family members (incl. other dogs). We also think they might suit living with children 10 and above or another medium or larger dog as company. Sam has some mild Osteoarthritis which does not affect his day-to-day life
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Jeff Lebowski

3 years old

Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski is an adorable pooch, just look at that cute face! Jeff is a young boy who has lots to learn about life and even though he will be turning 4 this year, he still acts like a big puppy! He can find other breeds of dog (other than greyhounds) a little scary, but we feel with a patient owner who will help him by gradually introducing him to other breeds in the right way, he will realise that other breeds of dog are just as good as greyhounds (well almost ;) ). Jeff would like a home where all the love can be showered on him and he does not have to share with another dog. Jeff is fond of the loud noises younger children can make so a home with teenagers aged 15 years and older, we believe he will do best in a home with a backyard for him to run and play in.
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Bruiser

3 years old

Bruiser is a big puppy in an adult body! In new environments and with new people Bruiser can be a bit unsure and seems shy, but after some reassuring pats and some tasty treats, Bruiser will be an outgoing pup and your best friend in no time! Bruiser may suit living with or without another playful pup of similar size and children aged 15 years and older. We think Bruiser will do best in a home with a backyard so he can run and play in. Bruiser has successfully completed our onsite Behavioural Rehabilitation Program and is now ready for adoption! Bruiser has an old hock fracture, which doesn't affect his day-to-day life.
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Marcel Marceau

6 years old

Marcel Marceau is a mature chap who is so handsome, with his lovely white markings from his nose down to his chest. Marcel is a strong boy who doesn't realise his size and ideally will need a confident and experienced large dog owner and be willing to put some time into his loose lead skills. But with time and training Marcel will blossom into a lovely boy and will give his owner lots of love and affection. Marcel may suit living with or without a canine pal of similar size and children aged 10 years and older. Marcel would likely do best in a home with a backyard to get some of his energy out. Marcel has a cataract and microthalmia in his right eye.
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Cliff ARP

5 years old

Cliff is the friendliest boy you could ever hope to meet – his tail just never stops wagging! He adores everyone and has such a soft coat, you’ll never want to stop patting him. Cliff adores being told he is a Good Boy. This lovely dog would likely do best in a home with a robust canine playmate and children aged 10 or older, he may do best in a home with a backyard to play in.
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